Essay 1: Life’s greatest teacher is that of experience. The older I get, the more I realize how much there is to discover and how exciting it is to embrace the unknown. The attribute of Black Excellence that I embody the most is being a continual learner. My curiosity and drive to learn extends far beyond the classroom, which shapes my aspirations and interactions with the world around me. One of my biggest dreams is to travel the world, and this past summer, I took a significant step toward that goal. I visited five new countries: The Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Canada, and Iceland. Each country offered a unique window to dive into their diverse cultures. I immersed myself in their cuisines, music, and people, gaining perspectives that only firsthand experiences can provide. This journey reminded me how much the world must teach, and it fueled my desire to learn more about global cultures. I see this as just the beginning; I hope to expand my passport and broaden my understanding of the incredible diversity our world holds. However, continual learning isn't limited to international adventures. On a daily basis, I make an effort to learn through human connections. Whether it's talking to a stranger, a classmate, or my family, every conversation holds the potential to teach me something new. The world is home to over 8 billion people, each with their own stories and struggles. As an engineering student, this openness to learning from others is crucial. Understanding the challenges faced by different people helps me design solutions that are innovative and inclusive. You learn from each experience that comes to you. Be it a story you hear, an experience you endure, you can learn at every step. For instance, listening to my Uber driver’s story about immigrating to the United States, or hearing my dad recount on his time in the U.S. Navy has taught me the power of resilience and adaptability. These stories broaden my understanding of human experience and deepen my empathy. Being a continual learner allows me to appreciate the beauty in life and approach challenges with an open mind. I believe that every person and experience has something to teach, and I commit myself to embracing these lessons throughout my life. Essay 2: Throughout my life, I’ve often grappled with the question: “What is my purpose?” This question followed me through high school and into college, as I struggled to pinpoint a single passion or career path to pursue. Now, in my third year of university, I’ve realized that purpose doesn’t have to be singular. Instead, I can prosper with purpose by aligning actions with values in every aspect of my life. Helping others has always been central to who I am. From volunteering at my church as a child to my first job in the service industry, I found joy in uplifting others and spreading kindness. However, as my responsibilities grew, especially with the demands of my studies, I struggled to maintain my goal of serving others. To improve in this area, I’ve now developed a plan to integrate purposeful actions into my daily life which will help me achieve my long-term goals. First, I will focus on small, intentional acts of kindness. Which includes holding doors open, expressing gratitude to service workers, or simply offering a smile. These moments may seem insignificant, but they contribute to fostering a sense of community and often remind me to live with purpose. Secondly, I plan to carve out time for larger, structured contributions. For example, I aim to volunteer with local organizations once a month, through mentoring students with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), participating in food drives, or reading to underserved children at elementary schools in Chicago. I’m sure that these activities will allow me to create a meaningful impact while maintaining a tidy balance with my academic and professional commitments. In my career, I want to ensure that my work aligns with my values. Whether I end up in manufacturing, design, or another field, I plan to use my skills to benefit my community. For instance, I aspire to participate in projects that promote sustainability or improve quality of life for underserved populations. Even if my job doesn’t directly involve community work, I will make giving back a priority through volunteering or mentoring. Prospering with a purpose means making kindness and service a lifelong commitment. By focusing on small, everyday acts and seeking out larger opportunities to give back, I am confident that I can grow in this area and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

“When I was in the Navy…” Dad began, his familiar phrase signaling the start of another story from his days on the ship. I jokingly rolled my eyes, glancing at my mom, who smiled knowingly. We’d both heard this tale a dozen times. Still, I couldn’t help but lean in, captivated once again by his vivid way of storytelling. “Grandma used to send my brother and me care packages,” he continued. “Now, the food on the ship would run out after about three weeks. All we had left was some terrible-tasting cured meat. I survived on the Snickers bars my mom sent. Your Uncle Matthew would devour his stash in no time - gone before you could blink! Then he’d come sniffing around, asking if he could have one of mine. Of course, I told him no. We both got the same amount, and he should have savored his! Meanwhile, I ate mine slowly, one by one, stretching them out as long as possible.” I couldn’t help but laugh, imagining my uncle’s disappointed face and my dad’s smug satisfaction at his self-control. “You still eat like that,” I teased, noting how my dad still savors every meal, taking his time to enjoy each bite. “You think I’m joking,” he said, feigning indignation, “but I’m telling you the truth!” His expression made me laugh harder, and for a moment, I forgot I’d heard this story countless times before. Even though I often roll my eyes at these Navy stories, I secretly love them. They’re not just anecdotes about candy bars or meals, they’re a window into a part of my dad’s life that feels so different from my own. Growing up, I’ve tried to eat more like him, to savor my food and enjoy the process. Unfortunately, I inherited my mom’s speedy eating habits. I joke that I must’ve been in an eating competition as a kid because I can finish a plate in five minutes flat. Every time I do, I glance at my dad, still on his first few bites, and I feel a pang of regret for not appreciating the meal the way he does. But these stories remind me that life, much like a candy bar or a meal, is best savored. They’ve taught me to appreciate the small moments and the lessons that come with them. My dad’s stories aren’t just about his time in the Navy, they’re about teaching you discipline, patience, and making the most of what you have. Even now, he continues to share those same stories, along with a few new ones. And while I may display annoyance, I treasure each one. Through his storytelling, I get to see a glimpse of the person he was before he became my dad. He was a young man navigating life on a ship, sharing laughs with his brother, and savoring every candy bar sent with love from home. These memories serve as a reminder of the sacrifices and experiences that shaped him, and they help me better understand the values he’s passed down to me in a better way. His stories inspire me to slow down, celebrate life, and carry forward the lessons he now shares during those formative years. My dad shines as a hero when he’s in the spotlight narrating and we perform as his audience cherishing his tales.

Categories: WNBA Teams (Aces, Liberty, Sky, and Storm), Baking Techniques (Fold, Proof, Beat, and Level), Music Production (Master, Mix, Layer, and Record), and Novel Components (Tone, Plot, Theme, and Trope) WNBA Team – Since it’s the WNBA finals and I love Women’s Basketball, I think it was only fitting to make it my first category. The WNBA is also growing in popularity which is exciting, however I think that it may be new enough that not everyone will be able to make the connection. Baking Techniques – Baking is one of my favorite hobbies, specifically making bread. A lot of these words have to do with the process of making bread. I did want to make this puzzle slightly challenging though by adding in words that could go in multiple categories. Here, beat could also fit in the Music Production category. Music Production – Music is also a big part of my life and I wanted to include it somehow without making it too obvious. By using mix and layer, I added another smidge of complexity as they are both words that have to do with baking as well. Novel Components – Last but not least, I love to read. Adding in words that are key to building a story made sense for the puzzle. Tone is also a word that could go with music and might trip people up. Overall, I wanted to base this puzzle off of some of my favorite things to do. All types of puzzles, including jigsaw, the New York Times’ Wordle, and of course Connections are also some of my favorite things to do. While this puzzle is my favorite things I didn’t want to make it too easy for players. Adding in words that could go with other categories or maybe some lesser known categories adds a sense of difficulty that I think adds to the fun of doing puzzles.

It was a chilly Saturday in October, yet my friend Hannah and I were burning with anticipation. When we hopped out of the Uber at the venue, a small, anxious crowd had already formed. We fed off their energy, bonding with fans over our shared love for one of the most talented rappers in my opinion – Flo Milli. After 4 years of being a fan, I was finally at a live concert. Waiting, my excitement grew. Her opener, Maya the Don, came out to pump up the crowd. But then another 30 minutes crawled by, and just when we started to get restless, there was Flo Milli, freestyling in all her power. I had saved my voice just for this moment, cheering as loud as I could and rapping along to “Beef Flo Mix”, the song that started it all. I couldn’t believe my life! At the end, I convinced the stagehands to pass me the setlist, thanking my parents for giving me long arms to stretch over other frantic fans to snatch it first. The entire experience was everything I could’ve imagined and more, and I knew that I had found a new love for live music. I know the words to every song on the Jem TV show soundtrack. I could easily remember the steps and the music of my last high school marching band performance. Need a number memorized? I’m your girl. Forgot the recipe to snickerdoodles? I got you. Let’s just say memorizing is my “superpower”. And yet, when it came time for me to recite the lyrics to my absolute favorite rap song when one of my favorite artists was singing directly to me… One of the student organizations on campus, A&O productions, was hosting a concert for students. It just so happened that the artist they were bringing was someone who I’d wanted to see in concert since I fell in love with his music. My roommate and a couple of my other friends and I took an early bus so we could secure a spot by the barricades in the front row. After enjoying two opening acts, it was finally time for the main event: Smino. I screamed along with the rest of the crowd as he came out singing “Klink”. I sang along with the chorus and was transported to another planet of pure musical bliss. When he began rapping my favorite song, “Matinee”, I knew all the words by heart - until he stood right in front of me, bent down, and sang only to me. Every single lyric left my head! I stayed on my musical high, though. Following the final song of the night, “No L’s” (another one of my favorites), one of the security guards came up to me as we were walking back to the buses and handed me a pass. He invited me and my roommate to come backstage. A few minutes later, Smino came out and thanked us all for coming. Not only did I get his autograph, but I also got a picture with him, securing the night as one of the best in my life. Meeting one of my favorite artists live was something I’ll never forget!

My seven-year-old self stood back proudly, gazing at my masterpiece stuck to the family fridge. Okay, so maybe the fins were a smidge off, the fish eye was a bit crooked, and there was glitter EVERYWHERE including my forehead, but to my mother it was “Just beautiful, baby!” There have been many, many lessons and corresponding crafts since that day I learned how Jesus fed the 5000. Flash-forward several years later; now I volunteer in the Children’s Ministry at church, passionately helping to teach the same lessons to the next generation of adorable children. For years, I watched my mother lead different groups of elementary students through Bible stories, crafts, praise and worship, and games. Since I was in diapers, she has faithfully served in the Children’s Ministry at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. In 7th grade, I began volunteering, too, originally to earn hours for the National Junior Honor Society, but I quickly fell in love with working with children and never looked back. I floated from toddlers to Pre-K to 5th grade before I found my passion: the Nursery. Something about being around babies and providing a loving, caring space for them always puts a smile on my face. Most of my friends couldn’t wait to level up and move on to Youth Church. But I didn’t want to leave! Every Sunday I stayed to help, watching and playing with toddlers, demonstrating a new game, or leading elementary school kids through their Bible crafts (glitter included!). If the Children’s Ministry hosted family events on the weekends and they needed extra assistance, they could always count on me to volunteer. When I left for college to study engineering, the one thing I missed the most was serving every Sunday in Children’s Church. Even when I came home for the holidays, I always made sure to stop by and help if they needed me. For me, volunteering never felt like an obligation, it always felt like a privilege. Being able to give my time to serve others was something I always enjoyed doing and I’m so grateful to have grown up with such an incredible church community. Now that I’m a student at Northwestern, I still find ways to help in the community. Whether it be volunteering through the National Society of Engineers to help minority students with STEM projects, or aiding at the Special Olympics Illinois tennis clinic, I love finding new ways to serve and show God’s love to others – regardless of the community I’m in. No matter where I end up, I plan to take these morals with me, and I owe it all to the incredible church I grew up in. The Children’s Ministry leaders would always thank me at the end of the day for helping and being such a blessing, but little did they know that volunteering for the Children’s Ministry was the true blessing in my life.

Yoshi or Rosalina? Rosalina or Yoshi? I flip back and forth between the two characters, trying to decide which character would help me win the next round. I sat on the right, my two older sisters to my left. In front of us was a huge widescreen TV, older than me, that had dominated our playroom for over a decade. We were preparing for battle on Mario Kart Wii, the best Mario Kart (in my professional opinion). My sisters and I have spent countless hours racing through courses since we received the Wii as a Christmas present. There is just something about the nostalgic, beautiful world of Mario that continues to bring us together like we were kids again - even in our adult years. As the youngest, I always struggled to keep up with my competitive sisters, sometimes begging them to let me win just one round or two. Of course, they never complied, and it wasn’t until I was in high school that I began to beat them. I finally settled on Rosalina, while my sisters selected Princesses Peach and Daisy. “Ready?”, Mikayla, the middle sister, asks us. We both nod and gear up as she picks the course we hold near and dear to our hearts: Cookie Land. After trial and error, we settled on exclusively doing this one course anytime we battled. The round, compact course sprinkled with delicious decorations made it easy to maneuver and even easier to hit targets. While this was technically a group effort as we all took our places on the red team, deep down we all treated it as a competition between each other. Whoever could get the most points in four rounds would ultimately be The Champion. We kept the computer players on hard and the items on aggressive. As the course loaded and the countdown began, I took a deep breath and readjusted the grip on my Wii remote. Although the youngest, I was always Player Two and took my place at the top right of the screen. 3... 2… 1… GO! The battle had begun, and I immediately swooped in and out of the middle to grab a mystery box. After years of practice, I had perfected my craft at battle. The power of Rosalina took over as I hit blue team member after blue team member. Stealing mystery boxes from slower players and points from my sisters, I had one goal in mind: score as much as possible. At the end of the three minutes, I smiled, proud of myself. I had racked up a whopping 20 points, my sisters at 9 and 10 respectively. 'Yeah, I did that,’ I thought to myself. I could feel the tension between my sisters as they argued over getting more points. I sighed in relief and prepared for the next round, knowing I had finally made it. Gone were the days that my age showed in my experience and now was my time to dominate.

“Ain't gonna worry about me (yeah) It's all part of the plan It's all part of the plan I keep it undercover Keep it undercover.” I sang along to the K.C. Undercover theme song, sitting on the couch beside my mom ready to watch the series finale. This show had been my favorite since I first saw it in 2015 when I was eleven. I had always loved espionage, watching shows like The Backyardigans and Totally Spies growing up. There was just something different about seeing a powerhouse African American family starring in a spy show. I loved the anticipation of seeing if K.C. would make it out alive, the lovable characters like Judy and Marissa, and the hilarious jokes cracked by her brother Ernie. My love for Zendaya made its way to her other forms of performance. Yes, her song Replay is actually on one of my playlists and I love listening to her feature in Labrinth’s songs All For Us and I’m Tired. I watch The Greatest Showman yearly to see her in a different role, the Spider-Man trilogy to see her alongside Tom Holland, and now that Challengers is out, a movie I had been looking forward to seeing since I heard she was starring in it three years ago, I’ve added it to my favorites. Her acting and singing aren’t the only incredible talents she has. Alongside Law Roach, Zendaya never fails to miss on a red carpet. I love seeing what new fit she comes out with at every show, breaking barriers and turning herself into pure art. In my eyes, she excels in every field. However, my favorite part about Zendaya is not the movie she acts in or the many photos she looks stunning in, but who she is as a person. I’ve watched every single one of her interviews and she never fails to make me proud. She’s so down to earth and unapologetically herself without ever feeling the need to try too hard. It’s effortless for her, doing what she does and it’s incredible to watch. Seeing her acknowledge her privilege as a light-skinned black woman and shining the light on others never fails to make me smile. I will always be a fan of Zendaya and proud to see her on the big screen. But knowing that as a person, she’s just as special as her work, is the best show stopper of all.

1. I believe that I deserve this scholarship because I know Lo Easton personally. We go way back to the first grade and after she remembers my name, face, and bank account information, this scholarship and I will be best friends. 2. After a recent viewing of the Backyardigans episode, “Movers of Arabia,” Season 2: Episode 11, I have discovered a new passion which I would like to pursue: Arabian furniture moving. I will no longer be attending college and will instead pack my bags and move to Saudi Arabia to be a mover for the Sultan. 3. It was July 2013. Mario Kart Wii. The race against me and my sisters. They were on the red team as Daisy and Peach and me, as Rosalina, on blue. We were neck and neck for first place, zooming through Coconut Mall when I slipped on a banana in the third leg. When I thought all hope was lost, I hit all three boosts, avoided the cars, and took first place.

One of the best compliments I’ve ever received in my entire short life was on the way that I carry myself. In the PAL group at my high school, we gave each other the gift of words for Christmas. As an inexpensive but powerful present, we wrote messages to each other and shared them at the end of the semester. When I first looked over mine, I discovered that not one, but two of my fellow PALs had commented on how I carry myself with such confidence that others can't help but admire it. However, confidence didn’t always come easy to me. I remember my middle school years, being insecure about myself. But it wasn’t until I realized that others’ opinions didn't matter for my confidence to grow. For me, confidence is all about feeling good in your skin. It’s looking like a million bucks in a floor-length dress or just sweatpants. It’s loving the body you get to live in. It’s knowing you’re proud of the person you are. And most importantly, it’s not worrying about anyone else. One of the best tricks I use for confidence is telling myself I look good. Even if I’m strutting sweatpants and a t-shirt, I know I look amazing. Seeing models on Instagram or celebrities on TikTok no longer bothers me. Instead of comparing myself, I can easily say “wow, they look great,” and still know I look good too. And I’m not saying don’t build your dream body or try that new hairstyle, or anything that adds confidence. Just aim to accept yourself before making changes. Sometimes that “much needed” change won’t seem so important afterward. People always say, “fake it till you make it,” and honestly, it works! The best hype-person will always be yourself.

I take a deep breath in through my nose and release slowly out my mouth. Looking up at the hundreds of spectators sitting before me in the Alamodome, I conclude my high school marching career. The final production of “The King,” the final time I step out onto the field, everything coming to an end at the State Marching Contest. After the past year of minimal contests, a rushed show, and limited practice time, the effects of the pandemic were worth it. Although “El Toro” was a disappointment to us all, it had only been my junior year of high school. Now, as a senior, countless hours of marching and practicing on my baritone showed up. I even picked up the trombone, as a euphonium player, to secure a spot in the trombone octet that started the marching show. After the “covid year,” as deemed by our directors, I refused to go out without a bang. And here I was, standing at state, accomplishing my freshman dream. But I wasn’t done yet. Rushing up the stairs, I slipped my practice jersey on and yanked my shoelaces, double knotting them as I do every day. Back down the stairs and onto the line I go with 45 seconds to spare before we start warming up. Marching season was now over. I could focus on my main sport: basketball. As we begin our dynamic warmup with high knees, I prepare myself for another practice. It was the day after our last district game when we clinched the title of Undefeated District Champions. We were now preparing for the next season: playoffs. But we had been practicing for this since the summer of 2020 when we got a new coaching staff. This year, our varsity assistant coach was replaced again with a defensive mastermind. Days' worth of practice, tough sessions in the weight room, and hours watching film went into rebuilding our program. With tournaments back this season and a full swing schedule, our entire team was pushed to new limits. After getting quarantined as a team the season before, we were cautious this time, careful not to miss any games. It was only through our coaches’ guidance and self-drive that we made history through the pandemic. It had been well over a decade since the Clear Brook Girl’s Basketball team was awarded a banner. But we had done it. And yet, with playoffs right around the corner... We weren’t done yet!

I have always been a creative, hands-on person; building with LEGO® Friends sets or hot-gluing cardboard boxes together for an American Girl® dollhouse kept me busy as a child. Although I grew out of both years ago, my inventive spirit never died. When I became a teenager, I was allowed more kitchen access, including the stove, knives, and one of my personal favorites: the cheese grater. There’s nothing like the taste of hot, gooey macaroni and cheese made with Colby Jack, American, and Havarti cheese melting in your mouth! It wasn’t until I discovered the magical world of yeast and fresh bread that my newfound love for cooking took off. The feeling of the gluten stretching and the dough softening during the kneading process relaxes my mind and releases the troubles from my long day. After multiple basketball and band practices, tests, and assignments throughout the week, baking fresh milk bread makes everything better. Not only do I experiment with my own recipes, but I love to use my math skills to calculate different portions and research recipes to understand the chemistry behind them. My signature dishes are a vanilla Bundt cake with homemade caramel frosting and my “soon-to-be-famous” snickerdoodle cookies. I am nowhere near a professional baker - and my kneading technique could use some work - but taking part in something so many other people around the world enjoy brings me joy.

An experience that shaped me into the person I am today is one that I almost quit! With about 250 members, including percussion, winds, and color guard, it's hard to not feel the strong sense of community that surrounds us in my high school marching band. I was part of the baritone section - euphonium and trombone players. As section leader, I oversaw around twenty marchers, taking charge and answering questions. During practices, we had to stay silent and in a uniform position we called "standby." After weeks of grueling practices in the Texas heat, I would look down at my section and see people standing quietly in standby. If they weren't, a simple look from me would correct them. Over the course of almost four months, we grew as a section. Through three-hour rehearsals and full-day competitions, we were able to come together and put on amazing performances. This made me proud to see that I had succeeded as a leader by setting the right standard needed for our band to be successful. This November, we traveled to the UIL State Marching Contest in San Antonio, Texas. After missing two days of school, I returned Wednesday for a shortened, Late Arrival Day, then missed most of Thursday and all of Friday for a basketball tournament. As an AP student, missing a week of school made it difficult to catch up! I had the most trouble with AP Calculus AB, but I went to tutorials for the next two weeks to prepare for my upcoming test. This experience taught me that I must work harder to perform well and to set the right standard for myself. I'm proud of all the friends I've made and the memories I'll take with me on my journeys beyond.

Stepping onto the stage in her bright, bold yellow coat, she commanded the attention of the whole world. Her words were riveting, inspirational, and almost magical. The moment Amanda Gorman began her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration ceremony of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, I knew we shared more than just a name and ethnicity. “And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose.” When I heard Gorman speak for the first time, her powerful poem stuck with me. I wrote this quote on my mirror to remind myself of its message every day. Her words are relevant to almost every part of my life, from marching in my high school band, to playing on the basketball team, to baking for my family… even waking up in the morning. I can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes, so working “with purpose” to reach a goal instead of aiming to be “perfect” or “polished” or “pristine” helps me to stay motivated and continue to improve without getting frustrated. Frustration was not the only feeling I felt during my last AAU basketball tournament. We got spanked the first game 18-56. It didn’t help that the game was scheduled so early that I was barely awake. Still, I knew my performance on the court was unacceptable. Mentally I beat myself up for all the mistakes I thought I had made – until I remembered the words written on my mirror. And I realized that every single shot didn’t have to be perfect. My scoring didn’t need to be in double-digits. I just needed to relax, trust in my teammates and their abilities, and play the best basketball I knew how to help my team win. And the next game, we did!

https://www.instagram.com/amanda.rjb/ 1. Everyone gets it when I tell them I'm in the marching band...until I tell them I play the euphonium. 😕 I have to explain it's a "baby tuba"! 🎵 #highschoolband #highschoolbandmemes #bandmemesforlife #marchingbandmeme #marchingbandmemes#schoolband #bandmeme #marchingarts 2. The only thing worse than taking AP Chemistry is taking the AP Chem test! #apchem #aptest #chemistry #ap_chemistrymemes #teststress

No state does homecomings quite like Texas! Students decked out in red and black the colors of my school: Clear Brook. Senior mums are big as can be filled with ribbons, streamers, stickers, letters, and stuffed animals. The anticipated homecoming game where students pack the stands with their presence and the stadium with their cheers. I have an extra special seat though; I stand proudly with the Clear Brook High School Marching Band, mum around my neck, watching our team fight to the finish. Go Wolverines!

George Washington Carver was not just one of the most revolutionary African-American scientists, he was also responsible for furthering research on crop rotation, plant biology, and improving the food system in the 1800s. Without his brilliance, new uses for crops like peanuts and pecans would not have been found. His discovery paved the way for classic foods such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (my favorite go-to school lunch) and the sugar-filled (but oh-so-delicious!) caramel and pecan-bons from Cinnabon, where I work. My passion for baking and creating new kitchen delights has been inspired in part by the innovations of Dr. Carver.

Visiting the beautiful island of Jamaica is an experience I will never forget. I tried anything and everything new I saw, gathering new experiences and memories along the way. From traveling on top of the Atlantic Ocean by kayak to sinking to the depths in a scuba suit, I discovered a whole new world. The pressure was high to not make a mistake (and underwater too!) but I made it back to the surface with only minor saltwater damage. p.s. the ear infection I took home with me was worth it!

Crunch! The sound of my dog eating the crisp, green grass could be heard throughout the neighborhood. "Really Ginger?!" I said, shaking my head as I raised my phone to snap a few pictures. It doesn't matter if she's got a full bowl of Purina dog food waiting for her inside, Ginger will always make sure she gets her free from nature's appetizer outside. At least it was only grass she tried to eat and not the locusts she finds in the driveway!