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Abigail Collins-Gillyard

1x

Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Art
  • Drawing And Illustration
  • Painting and Studio Art

Bio

I am a student driven by curiosity, creativity, and purpose. My interests in engineering, art, and psychology shape how I approach the world and my future. I aspire to become an engineer, designing innovative technologies that improve lives. One of my goals is to help develop efficient self-driving vehicles that can increase independence, especially for individuals who are visually impaired. My background in art has strengthened my creativity and attention to detail. It has taught me how to visualize ideas and turn them into something meaningful. At the same time, my interest in psychology allows me to better understand how people think and respond to challenges, helping me approach problem-solving with empathy. Through my experiences, I have developed resilience and determination. I am committed to growing academically and using my skills to make a positive impact. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus on my education and continue working toward a future where innovation and understanding come together to improve lives.

Education

Springfield High School

High School

2023 – 2027

GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
Desired degree modality:
Full-Time
Medical school interest:
No
English as first language:
Yes
Homeschooled:
No

Career

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Electrical Engineering, Robotics
Work experience:
0 years
Has nursing license:
No
Leadership experience:
Yes

Future Interests

  • Entrepreneurship
Kayla Nicole Monk Memorial Scholarship
When I was seven years old, my mother lost part of her sight because of a failed eye surgery. I was too young to understand how much our lives would change, but I quickly learned responsibilities that most children my age never had to consider. I helped her navigate unfamiliar places, communicated when others overlooked her efforts, and witnessed how losing her vision affected her independence. One of the things that stayed with me the most was knowing that she never had the opportunity to drive or pursue the freedom that came with it. I cannot change what happened to her, but I believe I can help create what becomes possible next. My interests in robotics and engineering stem from my creativity. I have been drawing since I was a toddler, and I enjoy imagining ideas that do not yet exist. Engineering gives me the opportunity to bring those ideas into the real world. I want to combine my creativity, love for technology, and understanding of people's experiences to develop futuristic technology that helps individuals with disabilities pursue opportunities they may have been denied. I do not want disability to automatically mean giving up on a dream. My passion for robotics became even stronger when I attended a robotics summer camp at Widener University. I worked with an industrial robotic arm by setting variables and building a structure with blocks. I also collaborated with a peer to assemble VEX robots and program one to navigate a track autonomously. When we tested the robot without sensors, we discovered limitations in its accuracy in navigating. Adding a rotation sensor helped improve its ability to measure distance and make turns. I remember how exciting it was working with robots in real-time. I enjoyed collaborating with people who shared the same interests as me. Ultimately, that experience made me realize that robotics was a career that I could genuinely see myself pursuing. I am preparing for that future through both my academics and my involvement in engineering. As a student maintaining a 4.0 GPA, I am challenging myself with AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Literature, and Honors Pre-Calculus. My technical program in engineering and robotics allows me to apply what I learn beyond the classroom. I want to continue building the skills necessary to design technology that is not only innovative but meaningful. My commitment to helping others extends beyond my career goals. As president of my community service program, a member of the National Honor Society, and a junior affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, I have learned that leadership means using my opportunities to support people around me. My mother's experience has made me especially aware of the importance of equality, independence, dignity, and being heard. Pursuing a degree in engineering will give me the knowledge and resources to turn my big ideas into real solutions. I dream of working on autonomous vehicles and assistive technologies that could give people with disabilities greater freedom. I cannot promise that I will immediately solve every challenge my mother or others face, but I can promise that I want to keep learning until I have the chance to make a difference. My mother lost an opportunity she never should have lost. I want to help create a future where people are not defined by limitations placed on them. A future where technology does not simply make life more convenient, but opens doors that once seemed impossible. And maybe, one day, I can help my mother open one of those doors.
Byte into STEM Scholarship
When I was seven years old, my mother lost part of her sight because of a failed eye surgery. I was too young to understand how much our lives would change, but I quickly learned responsibilities that most children my age never had to consider. I helped her navigate unfamiliar places, communicated when others overlooked her efforts, and witnessed how losing her vision affected her independence. One of the things that stayed with me the most was knowing that she never had the opportunity to drive or pursue the freedom that came with it. I cannot change what happened to her, but I believe I can help create what becomes possible next. My interests in robotics and engineering stem from my creativity. I have been drawing since I was a toddler, and I enjoy imagining ideas that do not yet exist. Engineering gives me the opportunity to bring those ideas into the real world. I want to combine my creativity, love for technology, and understanding of people's experiences to develop futuristic technology that helps individuals with disabilities pursue opportunities they may have been denied. I do not want disability to automatically mean giving up on a dream. My passion for robotics became even stronger when I attended a robotics summer camp at Widener University. I worked with an industrial robotic arm by setting variables and building a structure with blocks. I also collaborated with a peer to assemble VEX robots and program one to navigate a track autonomously. When we tested the robot without sensors, we discovered limitations in its accuracy in navigating. Adding a rotation sensor helped improve its ability to measure distance and make turns. I remember how exciting it was working with robots in real-time. I enjoyed collaborating with people who shared the same interests as me. Ultimately, that experience made me realize that robotics was a career that I could genuinely see myself pursuing. I am preparing for that future through both my academics and my involvement in engineering. As a student maintaining a 4.0 GPA, I am challenging myself with AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Literature, and Honors Pre-Calculus. My technical program in engineering and robotics allows me to apply what I learn beyond the classroom. I want to continue building the skills necessary to design technology that is not only innovative but meaningful. My commitment to helping others extends beyond my career goals. As president of my community service program, a member of the National Honor Society, and a junior affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, I have learned that leadership means using my opportunities to support people around me. My mother's experience has made me especially aware of the importance of equality, independence, dignity, and being heard. Pursuing a degree in engineering will help me gain the knowledge and resources needed to turn my big ideas into real solutions. I dream of working on autonomous vehicles and assistive technologies that could give people with disabilities greater freedom. I cannot promise that I will immediately solve every challenge my mother or others face, but I can promise that I want to keep learning until I have the chance to make a difference. My mother lost an opportunity that she never should have had to lose. I want to help create a future where people are not defined by limitations placed on them. A future where technology does not simply make life more convenient, but opens doors that once seemed impossible. And maybe, one day, I can help my mother open one of those doors.
Honorable Shawn Long Memorial Scholarship
My passion for robotics and electrical engineering comes from both creativity and personal experience. Growing up, I spent hours drawing and coloring pieces inspired by the fictional worlds I created in my imagination. Art taught me to think beyond limitations and imagine possibilities that did not yet exist. At the same time, I developed a love for math and problem-solving because I enjoyed figuring out how things worked and how they could be improved. Over time, I realized I did not just want to imagine a better future; I wanted to help create it. Robotics and electrical engineering became the perfect combination of creativity, innovation, and purpose. My career goals are also deeply connected to my mother’s story. My mother lost her eyesight due to a failed surgery, and I have witnessed firsthand how vision loss changed her life. It prevented her from doing many of the things she once loved or dreamed about trying. Simple freedoms that many people take for granted became difficult or impossible for her. One dream she always had was learning how to drive a car. Watching someone you love lose opportunities because of circumstances beyond their control changes the way you see the world. Instead of only feeling sadness for what was taken away, I became inspired by the possibilities technology can create. That inspiration is one of the main reasons I want to pursue robotics and electrical engineering. Technology already has the power to transform lives, and I want to be part of pushing those advancements even further. Whether through robotics, artificial intelligence, or accessible transportation technology, I want to help create innovations that give people greater independence and freedom. To me, engineering is not just about circuits, machines, or equations;it is about solving problems that impact real people. If I can contribute to technology that allows visually impaired individuals like my mother to safely experience opportunities they once thought were impossible, then I know my work will have meaning. To achieve these goals, I plan to attend a technical or trade school where I can gain the hands-on training and specialized skills needed to succeed in this field. I learn best through practical experience, and I know that developing strong technical knowledge in robotics and electrical systems will prepare me for a meaningful career. However, financial hardship stands in the way of that future. My family and I cannot easily afford the cost of tuition, tools, and training. It is difficult knowing that the only thing that could hold me back from achieving my goals is the lack of financial resources. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial assistance. It would give me the opportunity to pursue my education without constantly worrying about whether I can afford it. This scholarship would allow me to focus on building the skills needed to turn my passion into reality. More importantly, it would bring me one step closer to creating technology that could improve lives, including my mother’s. I believe the possibilities within robotics and electrical engineering are endless. With determination, creativity, and the right support, I hope to turn my passion into a career that not only fulfills my dreams, but also helps others regain opportunities they thought they had lost forever.
Abigail Collins-Gillyard Student Profile | Bold.org