As my parents are immigrants from Ireland, having moved here almost thirty years ago, my siblings and I have been blessed to have grown up immersed in two cultures, Irish and American. Neither my Mom nor Dad had the opportunity to attend college, and as a first-generation American, I want to have the opportunity to go to college to develop the skills, education, and thinking to allow me to become a great architect. To that end, The Marian Haley Memorial Fund would be greatly beneficial. When I look at the courses I'll be taking to earn my degree, I am filled with a sense of purpose and excitement for my future. My dream is to become an architect focused on sustainability; I hope to contribute to the fight against climate change, one building at a time. I like to imagine myself one day after having graduated from college, strolling down the streets of my city and staring up at a building that I can proudly claim is of my own design. I yearn to feel the gratification that would come from watching my simple sketches grow into a tangible reality. Having the opportunity to attend university and study the history and foundations of architecture would truly be a gift. Becoming an architect would furthermore provide me with the means to help my community - to innovate new ideas that will help improve a city or town, building new hospitals, community centers, and schools, which combine form and function. After all, the often-understated role of an architect is a critical part of every community - the mind that shapes the spaces in which we live, work and learn on a day-to-day basis. Architecture combines my two primary passions - art and engineering. When I visit new cities and study the environment around me, I often find myself sketching the most interesting buildings in my vicinity. I ask myself what aspects of the building would I want to incorporate into my own designs. As a child, I looked at engineering as a possible career for me as I enjoyed taking robotics and inventing new ideas. Over the years, however, I developed a love for architecture, as it provided me the opportunity to be both creative and innovative in my work. In my spare time, I enjoy looking at the works of past architects whom I can only hope to live up to. My favorites include Antoni Gaudi, Frank Gehry, and Eugene Tssui, whose designs are works of art that appear otherworldly with their use of texture and structure. When I look at their designs I can see how their buildings interact with their environment and, ironically, create a sense of unity in their stark contrast with the surroundings. These architects inspire me to further my education in architecture; their work motivates me to explore and develop my own unique style, push the boundaries of modern design, and contribute to the field I love in a meaningful way.