The best way to live a long and healthy life is to put the right food into our bodies and mind. First, it starts with putting the right food in our minds. The mind is powerful. Whatever we think is what we will become. For example, let's say I tell myself I am not good enough. First, it starts as a thought in my head, like a seed being planted. If I do not change the thought the seed will grow. Then, I will never be able to overcome or accomplish anything because I believed the thought. However, once I deconstruct that thought, my mind becomes healthy. Next, I nurse on positive thoughts to keep my mind healthy. Next, eating the right foods is the best way to live a long and healthy life. Food can either keep us here for a long time, or it can shorter our lives. It's ironic, but imagine eating a big mac every single day. Just as the negative thoughts ways the mind down, bad food takes a toll on the body after a period of time. Fruits and vegetables are the best foods to put in the body. Nursing on these foods will nourish our bodies and give us energy. Therefore, the best way to live a long and healthy life is by nursing on the right foods, spiritually and physically.

"IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S OKAY!! SHAKE IT OFF SHAKE IT OFF WOOHOO!!!!" My coach had us chanting this whenever we hurt ourselves on the field. Looking back, this was the start for me having a growth mindset. Shake off the pain and keep on going. It is almost as if the pain did not matter because I had seen the bigger picture. After this realization, I learned that I could apply that same tactic to every aspect of my life. Life is a series of problems, but how I handle my problem will determine if I will grow to surpass it or let it deter me away. I keep my eyes on the goal and even if I fail, I know that it is only temporary. The only time it will be permanent is if I do not pick myself back up. That is how I keep my growth mindset, and I owe it all to my coach. Shake it off and move forward.

My favorite scientist is Albert Einstein because as he is very inspirational. One of my favorite quotes by him is "Imagination is more important than knowledge." He has made me to realize that, it is the imagination that starts the invention and creation of new things, and this is why he is my favorite scientist.

I had everything and my life was perfect, or at least that is how others saw it. I had both parents, and a roof over my head, so life was great. However, I was dying inside, trying to convince myself that I was happy. I had thought that this would help, instead, it drove me into deeper depression. Everyone had always told me that I was lucky because I had both parents and because my life seemed to be going so well. Therefore, I made it my mission to appear happy when around others. There were even some nights I would just cry myself to sleep, as I could not understand what was wrong with me. One day, in my college English class, my teacher had pulled me aside and asked me if everything was okay. At first, I put on a smile and tried to convince her as well as myself that I was fine. Being the person she was, she asked me again, "Mya is everything really okay," and with that, I broke down. I kept repeating "I don't know what's wrong with me." She let me get all of it out of my system, then she had told me that she had seen many students in similar situations like mine. She told me that it was okay to be sad and that whenever I am feeling these emotions, I should let them out instead of bottling them up. Then, she had given me a topic for my final exam. My final exam project was a presentation about depression and doing this assignment was the start of my healing. Just talking about it made me feel better. During my presentation, I had told everyone that, this one question could change everything. Now, whenever I see someone with this sad look in their eyes, I ask them that same question. Are you okay? Because at the end of the day, we never really know of another is okay.

I hope to write something that means something to someone. Something that makes someone's day, makes them smile, laugh, and ultimately makes them happy. I would like to do this because depression and suicide among too high in this world, and if I can change that I will in any way that I can. Here is a snippet of my work, one of my favorite Haiku's!! Smile every day Makes the pain quickly go away Shine your light today!

Peace and blessings! My name is Amya Arnold-Muhammad, and I am currently majoring in chemical engineering, with a minor in applied mathematics. I am a complete nerd when it comes to these subjects as I tutor students in these areas (math and science). In my spare time I read, play games, listen to music, and complete puzzles. I am also an activist as I use my voice to speak out for what is right and what I believe in. In high school, I was a part of this organization TOP club (Teen Outreached Program) where we would discuss the issues that surrounds teenagers. First, for this essay, I want to discuss why I am interested in chemical engineering. It all started when I was seven years old, I was reading this animated story about George Washington Carver on my desktop. I had read about all that he had accomplished and produced with the peanut. I was inspired by that story that I had read and swore to my mom that, that would be me some day. As I got older, it all started to click. I was in chemistry class learning all about energy and matter. I realized that George Washington Carver must have had some knowledge about chemistry. I then told my parents that I was going to become a chemical engineer in the future. There are many things that I would like to do with my chemical engineering degree to make a positive impact on this world. First, I would like to do as George Washington Carver done, and produce more products from food. This way we will have different ways to eat and use that food. I will accomplish this by studying and experimenting with food in a laboratory to gain understanding about the food and all that it can become. The second positive impact that I would like to make on the world through my chemical engineering background is making efficient and healthier foods. Nowadays, when I travel to the store, I notice all the harmful ingredients in foods that are stocked on the shelves. I then return that product to the shelf because I will not allow anything harmful to be inserted in my body. Therefore, I would use my chemical engineering background to produce not only healthier foods for these stores, but food that also tastes delicious. I will also accomplish this by studying different foods and chemicals in a laboratory to determine the chemicals that are healthy for us to consume. The third thing that I would like to do with my chemical engineering background to make a difference in the world is create medicines that would heal the people from the many diseases that are present in this world. There are about 2 million deaths a year from diseases. With the knowledge that I acquire, I will use it to come up with medicines to these many diseases. To accomplish this goal of mine, I will study different chemicals in food, plants, and nature, etc. that are both helpful and harmful for us. I would then experiment with these chemicals to produce a medicine for the sicknesses of this world. Thank you for reviewing my application!!!

I am proud to be a woman because we give and bring life into existence. All of the great people of the world have come from the womb of a mother. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistic_amya/

One of my boldest moments was when I climbed up Stone Mountain with my family. I had a terrible fear of heights and I was terrified of climbing this mountain. However, with my family, I had challenged my fears and made it all the way to the top!

When COVID-19 comes to play, STEM majors are here to save the day. With the brilliant use of technology and science, this pandemic does not stand a chance. Additionally, mathematicians have made this pandemic bearable with their wise calculations. Then, to top it off, engineers have made the most of the pandemic lifestyle. We know we cannot go back to normal, therefore STEM occupants have made this pandemic better. Engineers are the world's problem solvers, so when COVID-19 hit, they were quick to draw a solution. Firstly, engineers have made communication possible during these trying times. For example, the meetings done on Zoom, Teams, and other platforms have made it possible for businesses to communicate without meeting in person. Without the blueprint mapped out by our engineers, surviving this pandemic would not have been possible. Mathematicians have made the pandemic bearable with their precise calculations. With the economy declining, mathematicians had to figure out something big. Suddenly, the government has decided to pass out stimulus checks. Over 127 million stimulus checks have been issued. These mathematicians had accurately figured it out. Businesses would get their money back once consumers started to spend the money that they had received from the government. Thanks to the mathematicians, it was a win-win for everybody. Scientists and technicians are responsible for the successful adaptation of these post-pandemic lifestyles. Due to technical difficulties, technicians have worked harder during these difficult times. Due to COVID-19, everyone had moved to remote learning and business. Thus, technicians had to work longer hours to resolve any technical issues experienced by others. Meanwhile, scientists had come up with a list that would help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Scientists also worked efficiently to provide safe masks. Then, they came up with a list of resources to help with COVID-19. For example, one simple thing that one could do is take a walk in the sun. Scieintist said that there are billions of vitamins in the sun that we cannot get elsewhere, and these vitamins will fight off the disease. What would we do without these scientist. In conclusion, scientist, technicians, mathematicians, and engineers have given us hope. They have been working overtime just to ensure the safety of the world. Businesses have adapted with the smart use of technology provided by engineers and scientists. People started to feel safe again when provided with safe masks. Many had also felt more secure when receiving a stimulus check. So, at the end of the day, STEM majors are here to kick covid away.

A degree in chemical engineering would mean the world to me. Ever since I was younger, I wanted to become a scientist. However, this career fascinates me because chemical engineers can do much with their degrees. With this degree, I would hope to formulate new products by studying different foods and chemicals. I first discovered that I wanted to be a scientist at age thirteen. I was reading a story of George Washington Carver, and I read that he made many products with the peanut. I was fascinated, and I wanted to know more. Years later, I had a chemistry class, and I put everything together. I thought to myself, if I become a chemical engineer, I can be just like Washington Carver. Thus, this was the start of my career in chemical engineering journey. From making perfumes to creating new medicine, chemical engineers can do it all. Chemistry is the backbone to all sciences, which is why there are many different departments for chemical engineers to go into. As a chemical engineer, I would have many options when choosing exactly what path I want to go down. For example, I do not have to just pick one, I can start in the food industry. However, I could also study the chemicals in food and make medicines. The choices are unlimited as to what a chemical engineer could do. With a chemical engineering degree, I would hope to formulate products by studying food and chemicals. I want to create new flavors while keeping the foods healthy. When I go to the store, I am always reading the ingredients within a product before buying it. Most ingredients that are in the products are harmful for us humans to consume. It will damage our bodies in the long run. Knowing this, when I become a chemical engineer, I would change that. I would examine and produce foods that is heathy and that everyone can enjoy. In conclusion, becoming a chemical engineer would mean the world to me. Firstly, we can branch off into other fields in chemistry because chemistry is the backbone of all sciences. Secondly, we can create many products through one food like George Washington Carver did. Inspired by him, I would also formulate new product by studying food and chemicals. In the end, chemical engineers are amazing, and I am thrilled to get my degree.

There I was, the youngest one at the table staring intensely at my hands. Minutes have gone by and I was anxiously waiting for it to be my turn. Then, there it was, suddenly, a red six in the pile cards. I had a red two and a four and I knew that these two cards would equal up to six. Enthusiastically, I slammed down two of my cards in the pile cards. "I WON, I WON" I cried. Little did I know, this would be the beginning of my mathematics career. Ever since that game of UNO, I have been interested in math. I am drawn to it because it makes sense, unlike my other courses. With math, there can only be one correct answer or number on multiple-choice questions, and the other values are incorrect. It is straightforward and it stimulates the brain. In fact, statistics show that people taking math will be more successful than those who do not. Another reason why I am drawn to math is that it solves the world's problems in life. In fact, some of the principles in math such as problem-solving has allowed me to view the world differently. For example, I had seen someone selling rugs and I noticed that the price was a bit high. I was then curious because I thought that the guy was being unreasonable with the price. Unable to get it out of my mind, I ended up measuring the carpet length and width of the rug that he had. Using the Pythagorean theorem, I noticed that I was right to be suspicious of the price. Through using math, I was able to see that not everyone has the best intentions. All nurses, engineers, and doctors will agree with me when I say math saves lives. For example, with nurses, they must do conversions to give their patient the proper dosage of medicine. With these conversions, the nurse would have to convert grams to milligrams, etc. If the nurse incorrectly determines the dosage, it could cause injury or worse to the patient. The engineers will tell you that their whole career revolves around math, hence these are our problem solvers. Lastly, doctors deal with loads of statistics and analyze them to make precisions. Hence, another reason why I am drawn to math. To conclude, I love math because our world revolves around it. We use it every day, from cooking a home-cooked meal to building a house. It simply makes our lives less chaotic, which is the main reason I am drawn to it.

Ever since I was younger, I have desired to travel. My parents would take me to other states such as Chicago to visit my grandparents. We would take road trips to wherever the state was traveling to. Sitting in the car seeing all the sights pass me had sparked something inside of me. I sat in that car for hours, but never complained because I was too busy drinking in all the features that had surrounded me. I had used that as my inspiration whenever creating my art piece. Ever since I made it my mission in life to travel the world. Traveling would assist me in developing myself as a person. Firstly, it would educate me about other cultures and communities. For example, one of my goals is to travel to Thailand. While there, I plan to take on some of their traditions to give me perspective. Secondly, traveling would allow me to become more knowledgeable about myself. I was told as a child that we are all incomplete, however, we must find that something that will make us complete. Traveling is a part of that something it allows us to be aware outside of self and inside of self. Lastly, traveling would allow me to meet others and socialize as a human being. Humans are made social beings and being around others brings us joy in life. Traveling will not only help me to develop myself as a person, but it would also assist me in developing myself as an artist. One of the ways that I express myself is through my art. For example, when I travel to Thailand, I would first observe and gain knowledge about the place. Then I would interpret what I have learned and gained through my art. To me, that would be paintings and drawings of what life in Thailand looks like and also paintings of any friends I will meet along the way. Secondly, I would include their traditions and beliefs inside of my art. For example, painting a picture of Thailand foods is something that I would see myself doing in the future. Lastly, I would include their art history in my art. In the end, this would showcase what art looks like all around the world. In conclusion, traveling the world would make me a better person and artist.

It was my senior year of high school and I knew that I needed to start thinking more about my future. I had already narrowed down my colleges. I had got accepted to Clayton State University. This school was affordable, and my two older sisters had already been there. However, the difference between them and myself is that I must transfer later in life due to my major. To get myself together, I threw myself into volunteering. Firstly, I was a part of this Teen Outreach Program. In this program, we would make thank you cards for our veterans, clean up the community, and discuss major challenges that teens must face on the daily basis. Later, I decided to start a community clean-up and gathered my friends from my martial arts class. We had cleaned the neighborhood of our martial arts class by recycling and throwing away trash. Finally, after my first year in college, I decided that I needed to do more. I then volunteered at Hosea Feed the Hungry and begun passing out to-go plates. Being the third oldest of seven children, it has not been easy paying for college. To help cover the costs of books I would tutor children in math. If I am lucky enough to win this scholarship, I would be extremely grateful. I would use it to pay for my tuition and books. so that my parents would not have to be burdened with me and my three sisters. I am studying to become a chemical engineer and I plan to use my degree to study the chemicals and bacteria that are both harmful and healthy. With this knowledge, I plan to design a medicine to help cure some of the many diseases that are killing many people. My ultimate dream is to be able to help people while using my degree.

"Just breathe Mya," my sister told me as I was attempting to do a tree pose. I was not very flexible at the time and I actually hated yoga in the beginning. It was the thought of me failing that actually lead to my downfall. Later on a semester later my sister talked me into a yoga class. Lauren, the yoga instructor had asked us to do a few basic yoga poses. Observing me struggling with the pose she had told everyone to relax and breathe. Then she started to speak about doubts of the mind and lack of confidence. As she was talking I notice that it was my thinking process that was making me stumble. I realized that yoga was way more than tree poses and it was more so about meditation. There were two aspects of yoga mental and physical. Lauren had taught me that I could not do one without the other. In a short time, I found myself surrounded around a small group of lovely and encouraging people. This is how I became fond of yoga. By the end of that semester, I had grown a liking to yoga and would show up for each class. Eventually, I had started inviting my friends to yoga class. Lauren and I have become good friends. Looking back, I am happy that my sister had brought me to yoga class. With all that I have learned in those yoga sessions, I plan to implement positive thinking and confidence to all that is around me. Every day I start my day off with positive affirmations and now I have my whole family practicing it. I will help to change the world one yoga pose at a time.

"UNO" I shouted from the dining room table. I was six years old playing with my parents and sibling. I only had one card left and I was anxious to win. Next round I had slam my card on the table claiming my victory. Little did I know this game would actually be the start of my career. Math had always been my favorite subject and at a young age, I was able to add up large amounts of numbers. I have learned at a young age that numbers are important. Games such as Uno, Monopoly, and Phase 10 has allowed me to become sufficient in math because I was always the "banker" or scorekeeper. I am passionate about STEM because the knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math is what makes up our society. These subjects are what creates new jobs, fix broken systems, and solves the problems before it even arises. This is why I am passionate about STEM. My goal is to become a chemical engineer. I know that the courses that I am will prepare me for a successful career because these courses are challenging and if I can accomplish that, then I am ready for my career. Chemistry is the base of all science, while math is simply in everything that we do. Therefore, I believe that these courses will provide the basis for what I will need in my future career.

Just as math is a form of expressing itself through numbers, art is a form of expression through pictures. When I was younger, I had a difficult time expressing myself. I would keep my emotions bottled up for the fear of not being loved, rejection, punishment, and making others upset. Therefore, I started expressing myself through art. I first started drawing, and painting at the age of six. My drawings consisted of flowers, nature, cars, and people. However, when I would draw a person, that person in the picture would always be sad or crying. Ultimately, my mom would ask, why am I always drawing someone sad. I would say that that is how I am feeling. It was then that I realized that my only form of communicating how I felt was through art. Looking back at the reason behind my inspiration for art is what inspires me to keep up with it. I am now able to communicate how I feel with and without a pencil, but my best form of communication is with a pencil. If I am blessed to receive this scholarship, I will apply it to my savings for a college of art. My dream is to attend Savannah Colleges of Arts and Design.