Sunshine Legall Scholarship

From a young age, I have been fascinated by science and technology. I was always intrigued by the inner workings of machines and the laws that govern the universe. As I grew older, I developed a particular interest in the fields of computer science and physics. I was fascinated by the application of mathematical principles to solve problems in computer science and the underlying principles that govern the physical world. Graduating with a degree in Computer Science and Physics is my primary academic goal. With that being said I am actively pursuing a double major so that I may have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's degree in Physics. One of the reasons why graduating with a degree in Computer Science and Physics is important to me is the vast array of career opportunities it presents. These fields are in high demand, and graduates have a variety of career options to choose from, including software development, research, data analysis, and consulting. The combination of these two fields also opens up the possibility of working on projects that require both computer science and physics expertise, such as developing computer simulations for physics experiments or creating software for physics research. The importance of this goal lies in the vast array of career opportunities it will present from the knowledge and skills that I will acquire and the satisfaction of achieving a personal aspiration. I am committed to working hard, staying focused, and persevering until I achieve this academic goal. Giving back to my community is important to me. Volunteering at my local food bank has allowed me to see firsthand the impact of hunger on individuals and families. Before volunteering, I was aware that hunger was a problem in my community, but I didn't truly understand the extent of it. Seeing people from all walks of life come into the food bank seeking assistance has been a sobering experience. Many of these individuals are hardworking and have fallen into tough times due to circumstances beyond their control. Volunteering has made me more aware of the struggles that people face and has inspired me to take action to help those in need. Volunteering at the food bank has given me a greater appreciation for the work that non-profit organizations do. The staff and volunteers at the food bank work tirelessly to collect and distribute food to those who need it. They are passionate about their work and are committed to making a difference in their communities. Their dedication and hard work have inspired me to want to get involved in similar organizations and make a difference in the world. Moreover, volunteering at the food bank has taught me the importance of community involvement. The food bank relies heavily on donations and volunteers to operate, and it is only through the generosity of the community that it can function. Seeing the impact that community involvement has on the food bank has shown me that we can all make a difference in our communities, no matter how small. This experience has inspired me to want to get more involved in my community and work to make a positive impact. Volunteering has given me a sense of purpose. Knowing I am helping to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling has been incredibly rewarding. It's given me a greater sense of empathy and has made me more aware of the needs of others. This experience has inspired me to want to continue to volunteer and to look for other ways that I can make a difference in the world.

I am a scholar-athlete who has been blessed. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident, and after 17 days of being hospitalized in an ICU, followed by intensive rehabilitation, I walked out without medication. I have God and my exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians and other medical practitioners to thank. I was given a second chance. On November 26, 2021, I woke up in the Trauma One Unit of Oklahoma Medical Center to learn that, for five days a ventilator had been my lifeline after I was ejected from the back seat of a moving vehicle. I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 Spinal Fracture, two broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coac