It all started with numbers I’ve always been fascinated by numbers. It stemmed from early elementary when we learned our timetables. The basic relationships: repetition of addition as multiplication, how you could have different numbers but the same ratio, foiling, the unit circle, derivative rules; I could go on. I even enjoyed the funny phrases that went along with them. “Devious monkeys steal banana”. As I progressed in math my fascination grew. The numbers were a team. When intertwined with concepts, the digits created art. A technical, precise, mathematical art. Who knew numbers could create such beautiful graphs stemming from parabolas to rose curves. The same digits that define the facts of our history. Using their relationships we have created an incredibly advanced world. From the coding embedded in our technology to spaceships where the impossible became possible. Numbers are our past present and future. I will always be fascinated by digits 0 through 9. Growing up in a community where opportunities were scarce and child poverty was a reality, math was my refuge, creating structure and order in the chaos. Through out junior high, clicking through Khan Academy lessons became the highlight of my day; each problem was a puzzle I eagerly tried to solve. Yet, there were moments of frustration, moments when a problem seemed so insurmountable, I could feel the weight of my messy world pressing upon me. But oh, the exhilaration when I finally cracked it! The rush of joy and accomplishment caused gleeful smiles to splatter across my determined face The struggle was worthwhile. Over time, learning became more than a hobby. I didn’t know it yet, but It became my beacon and my hope that would would shape my future in ways I couldn't yet fully grasp. Yet, I wanted to know more. As I entered high school, literature became my close companion. It started as leisurely reading. But Gosh, the more I read, the deeper I dove into topics; Especially the intertwining issues between humanity and Earth. Did you know 2 billion people do not have access to clean water and about 3.6 billion don’t have access to adequate sanitation? These are fundamental human rights that a large percentage of the population has been deprived of. Communities, particularly in marginalized areas, suffer from the devastating consequences of waterborne diseases and inadequate sanitation facilities. The consequences can be vast, ranging from fever to cancer to death. There was never a single defining moment as to: Why STEM?, but rather a series of experiences. Now, pursuing an environmental engineering degree, I am driven by a desire to alleviate dire situations such as inadequate sanitation and water pollution. What started with fascination for numbers has transformed into a commitment to making a meaningful impact. I couldn’t change the environment I grew up in, hopefully I can for others. I chose STEM to make a difference.