Here's an improved version of your writing, aiming for clarity, flow, and impact: --- When my family immigrated from Sri Lanka—a country marked by financial instability—we were filled with hope for a secure life in America. One of our first steps was visiting a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center, only to find that no one spoke Sinhala. Consequently, my parents relied on me to translate tax concepts, a task I struggled to manage. Years later, as a VITA volunteer myself, I was heartbroken to turn away families like mine due to our inability to accommodate their language needs. This experience inspired me to create **WealthWise**, an educational website designed to simplify tax preparation for non-English speakers. Through surveys conducted across my community, I discovered that language support was just the tip of the iceberg; many individuals also needed resources tailored for disabilities and seniors struggling with digital literacy. I believe that adaptability in learning environments transforms education into a welcoming space. As a coding instructor, I strive to customize the programming experience to my students' unique needs and interests—whether drawing analogies from Fortnite, communicating in my mother tongue, or turning lessons into engaging songs complete with hand motions. However, personalized education remains elusive in many classrooms. By majoring in Information Science at the College of Arts and Sciences, I aim to democratize adaptive learning environments and develop infinitely inclusive educational technologies. In my course on Human-Computer Interaction Design, I will create prototypes that enhance accessibility, such as voice-guided navigation for visually impaired students and adaptive interfaces for neurodiverse learners. My studies in Designing Technology for Social Impact will examine how design choices propagate specific social values, equipping me to create software that thoughtfully adapts to diverse user cultures. Additionally, in Introduction to Computer Game Design, I’ll delve into game architecture, learning to integrate diverse cultural perspectives into educational games—because no educational experience is complete without a bit of competitive fun. Motivated by Cornell’s mission to make knowledge transformative, I plan to minor in Crime, Prisons, Education, and Justice. This will not only deepen my understanding of the carceral state and its intersection with education but also empower me to combat the effects of hyper-incarceration through my involvement with the Cornell Prison Education Program (CPEP) as a teaching assistant. Growing up in Folsom—a “prison town”—I’ve witnessed the impact of local initiatives like the Prison and Reentry Education Program, which highlight how education (or the lack thereof) influences the school-to-prison pipeline. I’m eager to contribute my passion for educational technology to Cornell’s mission of providing quality education for all. By combining the classroom insights from GOVT 3152 Prisons, Politics & Policy, which discusses ideas from Angela Davis’ *If They Come in the Morning* and Chris Hedges’ *Our Class: Trauma and Transformation in an American Prison*, with hands-on experience working with CPEP students, I aim to better understand the educational needs of incarcerated individuals. The insights I gather from these interactions will inform the software I develop to support their successful reintegration. As an aspiring educator, I recognize that I must embody the diverse identities of my students. My academic journey at Cornell isn’t limited to my major; it encompasses a wide array of studies that will enhance my understanding of diversity in education. I look forward to joining the Future of Learning Lab at Cornell, where I can contribute to research on psychologically inclusive design, exploring how visual and verbal cues can be integrated into educational technology to minimize psychological barriers to learning. From coaching swimming to teaching programming, I have learned that the greatest obstacle to education is the belief that one does not belong. Just as I foster an environment of belonging and adaptability for my students, I too feel a sense of belonging within the College of Arts and Sciences. The curriculum's emphasis on global perspectives and public engagement ignites the same curiosity that drives me to advocate for community voices in technology. At Cornell, I am committed to leveraging technology to innovate the educational experiences of underrepresented learners around the world. --- This revised version enhances clarity, improves grammar and syntax, and creates a more cohesive narrative while retaining the original essence of your message.