The streets were as empty as my social life, but I did not care, as the sweet sound of classical music and the clicks of my keyboard filled my ears. It was Covid, and like all those around the world, I was locked inside with nothing to do except play games, go to online school, and wait. During this time I became obsessed with a fashion and princess-themed computer game on Roblox called Royal High. It had everything that a thirteen-year-old girl obsessed with fashion, pink, and castles would like, and it was my first introduction to the power that technology can have in changing people’s lives. I had never been interested in STEM or technology at that time, seeing it as something too boring and out of touch with my idealized pink fantasy to care. However, as I looked forward to new updates of skirts, corsets, and themed worlds, I began to get curious about how technology was being used to develop and create these meticulous pieces.  The main premise of Royale High is that you, as the player, play as a student at a high school made for fairies, mermaids, and royalty. It is an open-world game where players can interact with others and work together to collect diamonds that can be used to buy in-game clothing pieces. The clothing pieces ranged from sparkly floral corsets to multi-pleated ball gowns that you can mix and match with other pieces. Through livestreams with the game developers, I was able to observe how they scaled each item to fit the in-game bodies, as well as the detail that they put into making each piece seem semi-realistic. You could make your avatar look and be in whatever fashion style you wanted. This experience fueled a fire in me as I began to wonder how and if this same concept could be applied to real-life clothes as well, and if so, how would it be the same, and how would it differ? As I grew older and my passion for fashion evolved into a love for sewing and designing, I revisited the roots of my thirteen-year-old self. I began to wonder how current technology could be used to design clothes for humans in the same way that Royale High made digital clothes. This is how I began researching digital design and prototyping (3D CAD, CLO), which replaced traditional sketching and physical sampling. They are being rapidly augmented and often replaced by sophisticated 3D design software. While researching this, I realized how this process could make it easier to bring ideas to life, as well as allow for rapid iterations, virtual fittings, and realistic digital samples. Coupled with a course I took at the Copenhagen School of Business on sustainable fashion, I realized how I could turn my dream world in Royale High into my reality by combining my love of STEM, business, and fashion. However, even though I had figured out my dream, I found it hard to be able to find ways to engage and learn more about how to achieve it while at my school. No one else seemed to be that interested in fashion, let alone how fashion and STEM could be combined. So I resorted to mostly self-teaching myself the material and doing passion projects where I presented to my peers my findings. It made my passion for a possible future in this field, as well as the future of fashion design, grow even stronger, and I long for a future where I can fully delve into my interests with like-minded people.

The first time I realized my world was cracking, I was nine years old, crouched on the top stair. Words like "*unhappy*," "*irreconcilable*," and "*lawyer*" floated up, heavy and cold. Before the separation, home smelled like Dad’s Sunday pancakes and Mom’s lavender perfume. Now, it smelled like tension – stale coffee, unsaid words, and the metallic tang of tears shed behind closed doors. The laughter that used to bounce off the walls during board game nights vanished, replaced by an oppressive silence or the low, urgent murmur of arguments that stopped abruptly when I entered a room. The struggle began quietly, internally. Guilt gnawed at me: Was it because I got a C in math? Because I argued about bedtime?. tangled thoughts and confusion which I struggle with today how can love just stop in a Christian home. Why can’t they just try harder? Why are they doing this to me? The true struggle has been in logistics and my ability to navigate the relationship in a way not to antagonize any of my parents. Life became a calendar. Red days at Mom’s blue apartment too quiet. Blue days at Dad’s engaging in cautious and awkward conversations talking about science projects and never about my mother. The divide Loyalties I learned to keep each parent’s world separate, afraid a misplaced word might trigger sadness or anger. I felt like a spy in two separate, fragile countries. School became my escape, but also a minefield. Hearing friends casually complain about their parents arguing over chores felt like a luxury. Field trip permission forms became agonizing which parent signs? Who pays? A crumpled form in my backpack once led to a tearful lunch in the nurse's office. The struggle wasn't constant despair. There were moments of peace: watching movies with friends, laughing at Dad’s terrible jokes. But the underlying sadness, the sense of being fundamentally different, lingered. I have always felt older than my friends, carrying a weight they couldn't see. The hardest part was the grief for what was lost not just her parents together, but the certainty, the uncomplicated safety of a single, solid home. I grieved the future Christmases, graduations, and ordinary Tuesdays that would now always involve negotiation, scheduling, and the invisible line drawn through my heart. Slowly, painfully, adaptation began. I discovered a hidden strength. Talking to a kind school counselor helped untangle the guilt and anger. I realized I wasn't alone. Finding a book about kids of divorce made me feel seen. I cautiously connected with a classmate going through the same thing. Years later at fourteen my father decided to send me to a girls boarding high school so I could get away from all that was happening. It was a new world where ambition was the prayer after 4 years I managed to gain admission to Bucknell University my dream school however the family income will not over my tuition and board and I don’t want to make my parents relive a past I don’t want to relive either I believe any scholarship help I can get will go a long way to ease the family tensions and struggles.

Since I was young, I have always found myself having strong affinities towards very specific interests, and I would dedicate a lot of my time and energy into learning and engaging with this specific interest as much as I could. The earliest interest I remember doing this with was sewing, it started with my desire to have more clothing options for my barbie dolls, so I taught myself how to hand sew in order to achieve this goal. Eventually this grew into a want to create clothing for myself, so I upgraded to teaching myself how to use a sewing machine when I was around twelve. As I grew so did my passion and I found myself wanting to learn even more about other aspects of fashion which is what led me to take an online course at Copenhagen School of Business to learn more about the cost of unsustainable fashion and what measures we can take to be more sustainable with our clothing. With the knowledge I gained through the Copenhagen course, I dedicated a year of my schooling to work on a project titled “Abby’s Creative Vision,” where I strengthened my sewing and designing skills by practicing new techniques, delved more into my creative preferences while continuing to upcycle, and being more conscious of the fabric types I was using when starting projects from scratch. By the end of the year, I presented my project to my fellow peers further promoting the importance of maintaining a sustainable mindset in our daily initiatives. What I learned and taught to my fellow peers was how fabrics containing a high percentage of polyester were the most damaging to the environment and using alternate fabric materials such as hemp, cotton, and even bamboo could not only be more beneficial to the environment but could also prolong the longevity of clothing. As I explored the art of creation more, I realized that I wanted to pair this passion with something even bigger by pairing it with business and entrepreneurship. I had already had friends and family pay me for some of my sewing services and it was these experiences that made me realize that sewing was not only a hobby but a lifestyle I wanted to share with those around me. Which is what led me to choose a major in business management and entrepreneurship in hopes that I will be able to add my love of sewing and create art in a way that shows the depth of my passion and inspires others to see the necessity of art in our daily lives. This same drive and determination resulted in my acceptance at Bucknell University, my first choice. Here, I will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, integrating my interests in STEM and management. However, despite this accomplishment, my financial aid offer is very limited, putting my family and me in a challenging situation regarding tuition. Finding this scholarship has been pivotal for me. Receiving this support will not only make attending Bucknell possible but also enable me to continue building on the legacy of those who worked hard to provide me with this opportunity.

As the child of first-generation Ghanaian immigrants, I was taught to appreciate the importance of embracing my culture while understanding the significant role of tenacity and hard work in achieving meaningful results. These lessons were taught to me as I grew in the arms of my parents and grandparents who showed me first hand the results of what dedicating yourself diligently to your work and values, as well as putting an emphasis on supporting our family and uplifting future generations through proper acess to an education, and cultural teachings can lead to success. Each one of my family members has also made a point to contribute positively to our homeland in Ghana through donations, setting up establishments, and advocating for positive changes in the government, all of which have positively impacted my growth and values in life. Being a second-generation immigrant has fostered a strong connection to my roots. Family trips, traditional foods, and learning our language have cultivated in me a commitment to give back to my community in Ghana. This motivation led me to collaborate with a friend to organize a poetry slam and bake sale at Emma Willard School, where we raised funds for the Jane Ricket Children's Library at the Accra Grammar School, established in honor of my grandmother, who was a dedicated educator and who I was named after. I chose to dedicate the library to a close family friend who played a vital role in supporting my grandfather in achieving his PhD as a black man in the U.S. prior to the Civil Rights Act. By taking the lead on this project, I was able to honor both Ms. Ricket and my grandfather, while also reinforcing our family legacy. I thoughtfully selected books that would resonate with the students and chosen decor for the library, highlighting the impactful influence of my culture on my endeavors. This same drive and determination resulted in my acceptance at Bucknell University, my first choice. Here, I will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, integrating my interests in STEM and management. However, despite this accomplishment, my financial aid offer was denied, putting my family and me in a challenging situation regarding tuition. Finding this scholarship has been pivotal for me. Receiving this support will not only make attending Bucknell possible but also enable me to continue building on the legacy of those who worked hard to provide me with this opportunity. It is my goal to succeed for not only a chance for my family but as a way to give myself a chance to continue to support the african community in the U.S.

That's a sharp question! my passion for STEM education stems from seeing it as the critical engine driving modern business success, innovation, and sustainable growth. Here's why it matters so much from a business lens: STEM is fueling the talent pipeline of the future workforce and offers competitive advantages in employees who understand technology, data, complex systems, and logical problem-solving. A strong STEM-educated workforce is a primary competitive differentiator. STEM is bridging the skills gap; there's a massive and growing gap between the STEM skills businesses desperately need and the available talent pool. Supporting STEM education is a direct investment in solving this critical business problem. The innovation capacity businesses rely on teams that combine technical expertise (STEM) with market understanding, strategy, and management (business). Without strong STEM foundations, the pipeline for future innovators and technical leaders dries up. STEM is Driving Innovation and creating new markets a source of positive disruption and opportunity. Almost every recent major market disruption cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, biotech, renewable energy originates from STEM advancements. My generation needs to understand these fields to identify opportunities, assess risks, and develop viable strategies. Understanding how to effectively market, finance, manage, or scale a tech-driven product/service, business leaders must grasp its underlying principles. STEM literacy enables better decision-making about R&D investment, product development, and market entry. Companies that fail to integrate and leverage emerging STEM fields risk obsolescence. Supporting STEM education fosters the ecosystem that creates the technologies businesses of tomorrow will depend on. Enhancing Problem-Solving and Decision-making fostering a data driven. STEM education emphasizes analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and evidence-based approaches – skills essential for interpreting data, optimizing operations, managing risk, and making strategic choices. STEM teaches how complex systems work and interact. This is directly applicable to understanding supply chains, markets, organizational dynamics, and the broader economic ecosystem businesses operate within. Allows for structured problem solving through a scientific method and engineering design process providing powerful frameworks for diagnosing business problems, testing solutions, crucial gains in efficiency and innovation. STEM is a source of peace and stability since it supports economic growth and hence societal stability. STEM industries are major drivers of economic growth, exports, and high-paying jobs. A robust STEM education system is fundamental to national and global economic prosperity the very environment businesses thrive in. Addressing Global Challenges in solving critical issues like climate change, healthcare access, resource scarcity, and sustainable development requires STEM-driven solutions. Countries have a stake in finding these solutions and operating within a stable, thriving society. STEM is a major driver of inclusive Growth. Expanding access to quality STEM education, especially for underrepresented groups, unlocks a wider talent pool and fosters more diverse perspectives, leading to better innovation and more resilient businesses. In essence, my passion comes from recognizing that STEM isn't separate from business it's the foundational. As a business major: I see the demand for STEM skills in every industry. I understand the strategic imperative for businesses to engage with and support STEM. I recognize that the future of business is inextricably linked to advancements born from STEM fields. I believe that business acumen combined with STEM literacy is the most powerful combination for driving positive change and building successful, sustainable enterprises. Supporting STEM education isn't just "nice to have" for business; it's a strategic necessity for long-term viability, innovation, and economic health. That's why it resonates deeply, even from a business perspective.

I enrolled in the Bucknell University Freeman Business School and would like to approach this from a business plan perspective. My plan would involve developing a digital platform that integrates wellness challenges, sustainable culinary practices, and community investment opportunities, supported by targeted marketing to drive participation. Spread over five years, expand from a local pilot to a global network, reducing carbon footprints, supporting local economies, and promoting environmental stewardship. Year 1: Foundation & Pilot Development Technology & Wellness: Develop a gamified app ("Eco Impact") that tracks sustainable habits (e.g., recycling, plant-based meals, biking) and converts them into "Eco Points." Partner with local gyms, schools, and businesses to integrate wellness challenges. Culinary Innovation: Start a pilot urban farm using hydroponics to supply 2-3 local restaurants. Host workshops and create digital content on plant-based cooking with chefs to educate the community. Finance: Establish a crowdfunding platform for community-based environmental projects. Apply and secure grants and local business sponsorships for app development and urban farm setup. Year 2: Local Implementation & Engagement Technology & Marketing: Officially launch "Eco Impact" in the local community. Introduce features like carbon footprint calculators and a marketplace for sustainable products. Associate with influencers for a "Zero-Waste Challenge" campaign. Culinary Expansion: Scale the urban farm network to include school gardens. Integrate farm produce into school lunches and restaurant menus. Bringing awareness to people on less obvious and indirect environmental concerns, like reducing food miles. Finance: Identify financial institutions that offer "Green Loans" for homeowners and brands that encourage energy-efficient appliances. Reward Eco Impact app users with loan discounts or equity in community-based environmental projects. Year 3: Scaling & Partnerships Technology: Add AI-driven personalized tips to "Eco Impact" application in its second release. The tips will include optimizing home energy usage, alternative products. Adding more reward promotions and expanding to neighboring cities. Culinary Innovation: Promulgate a "Farm-to-Table" certification for local eateries within the app user community, promoting seasonal menus. The local eateries will be evaluated on several environmental factors as an example, composting initiatives with restaurants to divert waste from landfills, use of bamboo straws, etc. Global Outreach: Partner with NGOs to replicate urban farming models in food-insecure regions. Use "Eco Impact" to connect global users and offer the app in different languages. Year 4: Policy Advocacy & Franchising Policy: Advocate for municipal incentives for urban farming and renewable energy adoption. Collaborate with schools to integrate positive environmental impact practices into curricula. Culinary Franchising and Outreach: Develop a franchise model for urban farms, enabling other cities to adopt the system. Host an annual Sustainable Food Festival to showcase innovations. Create a registry for local farmers' markets as part of an outreach effort. Finance: Introduce a micro-investment feature in "Eco Impact", allowing users to fund global reforestation or clean energy projects. Including buying from companies like Tentree that plant trees on behalf of customers. Year 5: Global Impact & Evaluation Assessment: Publish impact metrics (e.g., tons of CO2 reduced, acres of urban farmland developed, customer base, effectiveness of strategies). Refine strategies based on data. Technology Expansion: Replicate "Eco Impact" in more countries, localizing content for regional sustainability challenges (e.g., water conservation in arid regions, adoption of gas ovens in place of charcoal). Legacy Building: Create an open-source toolkit for communities to replicate the model. Establish a global "Eco Impact Ambassadors" network to drive ongoing engagement.

Design to me is the freedom to mold any conceptual idea into something tangible. It's the ability to be able to take something simple such as a leaf, or something abstract like what happens to the soul in the afterlife, and transform it into a piece of wearable art that can convey the feelings and personality of its creator. I will often look at the clothes that other designers make and then go to look up the designer, and what I've found is that the designers I respected the most were the ones whose personality and personal style actively paralleled with the art they made. As an African girl the desire to be seen properly for who I truly am and not how others assume me to be means a lot. Through my designs, I try my best to imbue my spirit of humor, playfulness, and kindness, because I want those who see my work to feel my energy and appreciate and see me for who I am. I have always felt this strong desire which is why I taught myself from scratch how to design and sew at the young age of ten without any guidance and hope to be able to improve my work through college and a career in fashion design for a very long time.

I was once told by a person much older than me to enjoy as many small things in life as possible, “ Life is boring Abena, so even if something as small as a pebble makes you happy, capitalize on that joy and make life interesting for yourself.” I took this to heart and held the things that made me smile even closer. The closer I held these things to my heart the more my passion grew. Leaving me with no proper way of expressing how I felt or the reasons why I felt this way. I do not believe in love at first sight, and I also do not believe that love is the strongest emotion one can feel. I do not love the snow as much as I love my friends and family so why would I describe them with the same word? I wish that there was a word in the English dictionary that was strong enough to convey the emotion I feel whenever I take a bite of a crème brȗlée, or when I listen to a Tomorrow x Together song, one that describes the overwhelming feeling I get whenever I sew a new piece of clothing based off of one of my own designs, or when I read a fluffy webcomic and talk about my favorite characters in it. Even if the Oxford dictionary would describe my feelings as “love” I don’t think that the passion I have for these things can be limited to a word with such broad connotations. What inspires me to feel such strong attachments to these small joys is the process behind their creation. The whole idea that someone went out there with such a strong passion for dessert and cooking that they made the smooth, creamy, cold, dessert topped with the warm, caramelized, sugary, and crunchy top; that is crème brȗlée is beautiful to me. The way you can hear the emotion boiling out of someone's voice while they pour everything inside of them to the song they are singing, is something that I believe can only be evoked by someone who feels an emotion even stronger than love, even stronger than how I feel when relishing in the fruits of their labor. I aspire to one day create like that, to make others feel as if they must scour the dictionaries of every language on this planet to find a word or phrase to explain why they feel that way about my work, especially with sewing. If I could make someone feel that way while wearing a dress that I've made or feel inspired to try something new after staring at the embellishments I've added to a skirt, I think I'd finally be able to understand the depth of my passion for creating and those who create. If the root of my passion for all my interests is based on one person or a group of persons overwhelming drive to share something with the world, I believe that it is partly my responsibility to do the same. Many people say that to love something is to sacrifice for it, and to do anything possible, even if it is not rational, to continue to love it. So I guess that by that definition of the word love I do love my interests, hobbies, the snow, crème brȗlée, Tomorrow x Together, the Oxford dictionary, sewing, and above all the act of creation.