Bold Acts of Service Scholarship

When I was young, my parents fostered an awareness of and participation in volunteering and community service that has remained with me. At least one weekend a month, my family would seek out and take part in an activity that helped others and gave back to the community. I have participated in scores of community events and volunteer projects. I am proud of the times I assembled activity packets and served food to cancer patients at Phoenix Children's Hospital, distributed holiday gifts at a school with disadvantaged kids, helped disabled teens play sports for the Miracle League, and packed meals for impoverished communities abroad at Feed My Starving Children. I have been humbled by these experiences and have grown to recognize the needs of my community and those less fortunate than me. I have continued my local involvement through organizations such as Key Club, National Honor Society, and the Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council. I am also passionate about injustice and making my community better for all. In 2018 and 2020, I served as Policy and Research intern and Youth Ambassador for Anita Malik’s campaign for United States House of Representatives. By bringing a new voice, we hoped to improve the lives of Arizona families. I was included in debate prep meetings, provided weekly briefings for the campaign, and was tasked to lead the deployment of hundreds of street signs. Furthermore, I coordinated efforts to encourage fellow students to become involved in the political process and mentored new interns. This internship led to scores of lifetime friendships and a wealth of experience and knowledge. Most of all, I began to understand that I cannot just stand aside and watch, assuming something is going to go my way. I have to work for it and earn it.

Myths and misconceptions about climate change are often more prevalent than truths, and despite solid scientific research and findings, much of the population cannot understand or access these expansive resources. I sought to change this in my community, so I created Climate Kidz: a climate literacy campaign for my city with the mission of engaging kids within the community through climate education materials. With my first endeavor, I sought to educate kids directly, so I organized a vertical garden program with the local library: Gardening Up the Walls. After learning about food insecurity and the importance of plants in climate resiliency, participants left the program with a better understanding of how vertical gardens can combat the climate crisis and how to organize around a community issue that they care about. I was inspired to ensure that kids in my community had access to climate education resources no matter their geographical location, economic status, or individual needs. I realized that not everyone has access to electronic devices and that a virtual format may not be the most accessible for kids in my community. To create a more equitable resource, I thought of little free libraries, but with a twist: purely climate-related topics were included. My team and I received grants to fund building materials and over 100 books, mapped out seven ideal locations in the city, and spent months constructing the little libraries. Now that the libraries are installed, they make climate education materials more accessible, equitable, and within walking distance of anywhere in the city. Whenever I see one of the little free climate libraries I built, I feel a sense of pride for all that I have accomplished. Through engaging kids in my community, I have helped guide and prepare them with the information necessary to save our planet.