diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d90c865..c6cac09 100755
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-<h1 align="center">Hey there! <img src="https://github.com/wervlad/wervlad/assets/24524555/766d336d-b87d-44ba-807c-c51de2bc6b4d" width="28px"></h1>
+<h1 align="center">Braeden Sowinski</h1>
 
 <p align="center">
   <i>
-    I'm Braeden — a Computer Systems Technology student at BCIT.<br>
-    I’m passionate about backend engineering, systems programming, and understanding how software works beneath the surface.<br>
-    I enjoy building reliable software in C, Java, and Go, and enjoy exploring low-level concepts, distributed systems, and data-driven development.<br>
+    Software engineer and Computer Systems Technology student at BCIT.<br>
+    Focused on backend systems, APIs, data-driven software, and practical technical problem solving.<br>
+    Building with C, Go, Java, JavaScript, and Python while continuing to explore systems concepts and scalable software design.<br>
   </i>
   <br>
   <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sowinskibraeden">
@@ -20,7 +20,12 @@
 
 ---
 
-### 🧵 Languages
+### Highlights
+- President of Coding 4 All at BCIT
+- Third-place finish at the inaugural Red Team Hackathon with Team Cerberus Gate
+- Portfolio and recent work: [sowinski.dev](https://sowinski.dev)
+
+### Languages
 [![C](https://img.shields.io/badge/c-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=c)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![Go](https://img.shields.io/badge/go-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=go)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![Java](https://img.shields.io/badge/java-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=java)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
@@ -29,23 +34,23 @@
 [![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=python)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![OCaml](https://img.shields.io/badge/ocaml-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=ocaml)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 
-### 🔧 Technologies & Tools
+### Technologies and Tools
 [![Node.js](https://img.shields.io/badge/node.js-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=node.js)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![PostgreSQL](https://img.shields.io/badge/postgresql-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=postgresql)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![MongoDB](https://img.shields.io/badge/mongodb-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=mongodb)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![Docker](https://img.shields.io/badge/docker-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=docker)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![Git](https://img.shields.io/badge/git-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=git)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 
-### 🖥 Operating Systems
+### Operating Systems
 [![Debian](https://img.shields.io/badge/debian-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=debian)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![Linux](https://img.shields.io/badge/linux-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=linux)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 [![Windows](https://img.shields.io/badge/Windows-black?style=for-the-badge&logo=windows)](https://github.com/SowinskiBraeden)
 
 ---
 
-### 🧠 Currently Exploring
+### Currently Exploring
 - Low-level systems (assembly and computer architecture)
-- Functional Programming with OCaml
+- Functional programming with OCaml
 - Backend engineering with Go and Java
 - Relational modeling & PostgreSQL
 - Scalable, data-driven software design
@@ -53,7 +58,7 @@
 ---
 
 <details>
-  <summary><b>📊 GitHub Stats</b></summary>
+  <summary><b>GitHub Stats</b></summary>
   <br>
   <p align="center">
     <img src="http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/profile-details?username=SowinskiBraeden&theme=transparent" />