Julie Adams Memorial Scholarship – Women in STEM

Growing up I have always had a fascination with all things science.I always had endless questions about why or how something came to be. It was because of my endless curiosity that I knew I wanted to pursue college. A place where I could choose what to learn sounded like a dream to me. It wasn't until I met my 7th grade teacher that I knew for sure that I wanted to pursue science even if it wasn't as well paying as something in medical. She often went out of her way to help me conduct small experiments to help answer my many questions about the world. I was and still am forever grateful that she encouraged my love for science so much. Still at that point in time I really wanted to be able to support my mama with the career I chose. For the most part I dithered between doing something I know I would like and doing something that I knew would pay well and would help other people. It wasn't until my mama passed and I had to move in with my sister that I made up my mind. Jared was my sister's roommate who helped take care of my younger sister and I after our mama passed. Losing my mama just before I turned 16 was extremely hard for me. I had lost so much of my passion and love for science that I used to have. I felt like I owed Jared and my sister a debt for taking my sister and I when they were already swamped with their own financial situation. At that point I was considering dropping science in order to pursue a more financially beneficial career. I had confused in Jared about my indecision and in try he told me his story of finding both something he was passionate about and good at after a lot if trial and error. Now he is doing something he loves and he encouraged me to do the same. At the same time I was taking a forensic science and investigation class and after I quickly became enamored. It was still hard but I no longer felt guilty for having moments of happiness in my time of mourning. Forensics was a neet combination of all my interests. It involves helping people, biology, and chemistry and quickly become my favorite class. I was excited that I had found my niche just like Jared had. I knew then that forensic scientist was what I wanted to be and biology was the major I needed to pursue it. After I had found my determination my oldest sister encouraged my ambition. We often joke about the big house I will buy her when I make more money than her. She even goes out of her way to detail some of her experiences with deciding her major and career when she started college. She was another inspiration I needed to firmly decide on the career I want to have. Now my interest, passion, and ability are better than ever and I know studying biology is what I am ment to do.