Since I was young, I have always had a passion for marine biology. I've been well versed in the ways that humanities mistreatment of its marine ecosystems, including pollution and contributions to climate change. As I've worked my way towards becoming a marine field researcher, I've been more and more determined to find ways to end pollution. Pollution is one of the main causes of habitat degradation, not just in our waters but around the entire globe. In order to end pollution, there are two very large hurdles; how do we get rid of all of the garbage we already have, and how do we prevent a pileup like this from happening again? When it comes to getting rid of all of the waste in landfills, our oceans, and our land, there are a few options. I believe that retrieving garbage from our ocean should be our first priority. This notion allows for marine ecosystems to immediately be relieved, as well as concentrates the garbage into a smaller area. Then, we should focus our efforts on getting rid of the garbage with as little residual as possible. Landfill mining and incineration are tactics used to reduce the size of landfills while also converting the garbage back into usable energy. I do not believe that this process will be cheap or easy, but the reward makes it worthwhile. Once the amount of garbage is under control, we then need to put a plan in place. This plan should work to prevent new buildups of waste. For example, while recycling is already heavily encouraged, the practice could be made mandatory in parts of the world that produce a lot of waste. I also believe that influencing younger generations is incredibly important for the longevity of the planet. Trends that encourage fast fashion and overconsumption should be looked down upon, which will in turn create a generation of people who actively care for the environment. Practices that reduce landfills should continue to function even once the initial garbage is managed, and efforts should be made to restore ecosystems affected by pollution. In minimizing pollution, we also minimize our carbon footprint and gas emissions. Working to create a population that is mindful about pollution will also begin to eliminate other forms of environmental harm. This would allow for ecosystems that have been heavily damaged to begin prospering again. Working against pollution and working to rebuild habitats will result in a better planet for all people, plants, and animals.

Throughout my time as an artist, I’ve encountered many unique problems when it comes to issues with materials and subject matter. Even in my most recent piece, I struggled to tell the story of Taro and Jiro effectively; two of over twenty dogs abandoned in the Antarctic tundra, and the sole survivors of their lonely expedition. I wished to portray them as well as the “ghosts” of the dogs that were not as lucky but struggled to find a way to let the viewer know that they were alive while the others were not. My solution was to embroider them into my canvas, rather than simply paint them; this is to give the viewer not only a visual hint that the two dogs are the only ones left, but a physical reminder of their existence as opposed to the ghosts, which were left as simple painted shapes. I believe that this is one of many examples of how artists find workarounds for issues that arise in the process of creating and visually telling a story. It often isn’t possible to simply say with words what a piece is supposed to mean; it must be implied within the work itself. I was quite proud of myself upon finishing the last stitches of the dogs, not realizing that what had truly occurred was the artistic process continuing to hone my problem-solving skills, which I use to solve all sorts of issues in my everyday life. Art is also often used to inspire others, in which those who pick up and continue the practice will be able to train their own problem-solving skills as well. Being able to solve issues creatively and effectively is important not only for artists, but for most if not all careers that people enter. If I were to be funded to create something to solve a problem, I would want it to be related to my college major and career choice of marine biology. I would fund research into submarines that can endure high amounts of pressure, as I aim to become a field researcher studying deep sea ecosystems. There are plenty of submarines that work fine already, yet they are still susceptible to being crushed at certain depths. Because of this, much of our deep oceans, trenches, and caves remain unexplored. While I am not a physicist, I would work with people who have an in-depth understanding of pressure in the ocean in order to create submarines and cameras that can proceed at deeper and deeper depths. I would encourage designs to be as non-invasive as possible in order to maintain the integrity of the habitat being researched. These submarines would provide us with a perspective of the deep ocean never seen before and would hopefully allow for the advancement of underwater research.

I've chosen to pursue STEM as I've always been very compassionate towards animals, and I've harbored an interest in marine biology since I was young. I've been inspired by researchers such as Eugenie Clark to pursue my own career as a field researcher, and through my efforts and research I hope to further inspire people to take up an interest in marine life. I wish to become a field researcher after college and to study deep sea marine life. I've always been intrigued by how little we know about our planet's oceans, and I also hope to be able to conserve these habitats before they are too heavily affected by pollution and climate change. I have always advocated for the rights of animals, and I am horrified about the current state of our oceans. I want to work towards making a recovery to areas such as coral reefs that have already been affected, as well as prevent areas like deep sea trenches and caves from being damaged beyond repair. I am well aware that marine biology has always been a male-dominated field, but I've never let that intimidate me. Growing up, I never believed that I would have the opportunity to attend college, so I feel as if having the ability to do so now obligates me to be a role model for others who may also be in that position. It is especially important to me that women are able to pursue their dreams, as they are often snuffed out in favor of what is convenient for our male-dominated society. I hope that the research I conduct will serve to educate the public on how exciting and important marine biology can be, and that I will take part in fostering a new generation of marine biologists. I would be delighted to find that my efforts mean at least one little girl will grow up to be part of such an interesting and expansive field due. Overall, I believe that education is important, but especially when it comes to my field as some facets of marine life are often overlooked in favor of others, which are also overlooked in favor of land species. While I recognize the importance in fighting to conserve these species, I believe that a large part of conserving not only resides in restoring what has been damaged or lost but also preserving that which remains untouched or for the most part unharmed.

As an aspiring marine biologist, sustainability is incredibly important to me. Climate change affects marine life all over the world, in which I hope my research would inspire people to preserve the creatures we live with. I believe that the most important aspect of research is leaving the environments we observe as untouched as possible. This means leaving behind as little carbon footprint as possible, alongside more tangible changes such as garbage or other materials. I would also use my status as a researcher to speak out against practices that damage our marine environments. Deep sea mining is of particular interest to me, as it heavily disrupts deep sea habitats that we know very little about. It is possible we will not know the true extent of the effects of mining until long into the future, and by then we will likely not have a clue about the way the habitat originally functioned. It pains me to think about the number of marine ecosystems corporate greed has changed for the worse irreparably. I would seek to find alternatives to methods of research that use up a lot of fossil fuels, or that would otherwise harm the ecosystems I wish to preserve. I would also use my profession to warn everyday people against contributing to climate change. I firmly believe that if normal people were to come together as an organized group, they could truly make a difference in the ways corporations treat the environment. I would also encourage people such as my family and friends to reduce their own carbon footprint by recycling and deciding to buy from ethical manufacturers. Fast fashion brands such as Shein or Temu contribute greatly to the amount of harm our environment receives. I believe that revealing the true nature of these brands could help reduce environmental harm. In following all of these small steps, as well as fighting for legal regulations, can contribute to the reversal of climate change. Even though the situation may seem dire, I do not believe that all hope is lost. Through years of hard work, we have been able to majorly repair the ozone layer. I think that this is a good sign for how we will continue to combat climate change and environmental harm in the future. I am certain that I will be doing my part by advocating for the lives of marine animals, which is one of the most affected communities. By vouching for their importance, many other impacted communities are sure to follow suit.

I have struggled with allergies and asthma my entire life. Some of my earliest memories are taking inhalers and medicine, using my nebulizer as a toddler, or being in the hospital. My main allergies are of pollen and pet dander; the two allergens that seem impossible to avoid. It makes activities most people take for granted difficult; being around people who have pets or owning your own pet, going outside, and being active just to name a few. When I was three, I lived with two cats which triggered a life-threatening allergic reaction. This reaction then triggered my asthma, which left me hospitalized for three days. I will never forget the pain that followed throughout the process of being separated from my cats, which I loved dearly. I attended an asthma awareness summer day camp for children aged 5-8, where I learned about what it really means to have asthma. I was taught about the differences between my airways and a normal person's airways, as well as the importance of regularly taking my inhaler. I can still remember the duck face, and the way it sounds to this day. Alongside this, I began appointments for allergy shots. I am often shocked at how little I hear about people resorting to this. After five years of immunotherapy, my allergies shifted from life-threatening to a mild inconvenience and have continued on this path to this day. Despite the progress I've made, my struggles certainly aren't gone forever. My career aspiration is to become a marine biologist as well as a field researcher, meaning I need to be physically fit. I've done sports recreationally before, but not without difficulty. My asthma would often flare up, so much so that I needed to go back on an inhaler after several years of not needing it. This makes activities such as running, swimming, and treading water considerably more difficult for me than the average person. Issues like this bring into question my entire career path, something able-bodied people do not experience. Of course, I still work hard to achieve my goals in spite of this. Yet the amount of extra work that an asthmatic athlete needs to do to perform on par with an average person often goes unnoticed, and I wish to change that. I have no doubts that I will be able to become a marine field researcher, but I also wish for my hard work and dedication to be acknowledged.

My name is Annie Reyes and I am a 12th grader at Monticello High School in Monticello, New York. I am ranked 12th in my class with a 4.0 and have participated in Varsity sports and extracurricular activities. I have worked with the Wurtsboro Board of Trade in building, decorating and creating a Haunted House that all community members can visit free of charge. In addition I have worked events in which the proceeds benefited both the United Way of Sullivan County and the Sullivan County Animal Shelter. The cause that has been life-changing and inspirational for me has been participating in our Student Council's Food & Toy Drive for the past two years. We have provided meals to almost 100 families each year and raised funds for toys for over 200 children each year. We have made holidays happen for families that otherwise would have gone without. I believe that even if you cannot write a check you efforts in donating time and dedication can make a world of difference. Many of us need help in different ways including myself so I am happy to work hard for others when and where I can. I am a ward of the court living under the guardianship of my sister. My mother lost custody of me due to addiction and neglect. This status makes me ineligible for ParentPlus loans and this creates financial need as I enter high education. It is scholarships and merit awards that will make it possible. Cyberbullying is an epidemic. I have been a victim of cyberbullying and my fear in telling adults at school was that the cyberbullying would result in in-person bullying. I am glad I told trusted adults and the issue stopped. When cyberbullies are confronted and there are consequences the chances of in-person bullying by those same perpetrators is significantly reduced. I did not know this until I went through it. I have been vocal at my school in telling other students to take the same route as I did- find your trusted adult and chances are it will stop. When parents, administrators and teachers become involved the perpetrators are exposed and more times than not, the abuse and bullying decreases if not stops altogether. In my experience, when I told trusted adults, more victims of the same perpetrator came forward and the bully became small. The student body rallied around victims with support and that enabled us to hold our heads up.I also found that most students in my school were sympathetic to the all victims of cyberbullying and in-person bullying and the bullies were then the ones uncomfortable due to their actions. I now caution others to not befriend strangers online and keep their online presence small- trusted and verified accounts only. Do not let those you are not friends with "in-person" have access to your accounts. I learned a lot from my cyberbullying experience and am happy to share my experience with others as a cautionary tale and to let others know they are not alone. There is a strength in knowing you are not they only one dealing with bullying.

My passion is marine science. Oceans make up the most of our earth's surface but we know the least about them. I am hoping my future research can help change that. I am looking to pursue a bachelor's degree in Marine Biology and follow that with a doctorate path in marine research and policy work. Marine ecology and marine life are in need of our help and I know my future research can impact the global community- perhaps even save it. As stated our oceans are under-researched and that research is underfunded. I would hope to be able to become a voice that can advocate for the much needed funds to study one of our most needed resources, our water. I am looking to specialize in deep sea science where our waters are the least researched. Our deep sea caves have much tell us; we just have to go and listen. I am hoping to be able to hear our deepest waters tell their story and to determine how our oceans can continue to help the Earth thrive. Marine life is more at risk than ever and it is time we change course and steer the ship on our ecological journey. I am hoping to help command that ship through research and exploration. In addition, I know researching coral reefs and the sustainability of these ecosystems are keys to ensuring the health of our oceans. I cannot wait to explore and study them with the purpose of sustaining our planet. Climate change has not been kind to our corals and we must act to ensure they survive and we must determine quickly which systems have the best chance of survival and work hard to protect them. I welcome that hard work as the end goal is worth it. I am currently exploring my options as an undergraduate student starting in the Fall of 2026. I know I want a research college in order to meet my career goals but with that comes an increased tutiion expense. My home state, New York, has limited options so I have expanded my search to New England. I know I will find my fit by our commitment day of May 1st. Merit scholarships will help make my decision as will any outside assitance. I thank you for the opportunity to earn additional funds towards my college journey and to help make my dreams come true.

At the age of twelve, I became a ward of the court in South Carolina. My mother lost custody of me due to addiction and neglect. My half-sister who I met only twice previously dropped everything and came from New York State to get me when she found out. For quite some time we worked with a Foster Care Social Worker in South Carolina until my mother's rights were permanently terminated. My sister eventually gained guardianship of me when I was 14. I was saved from the trauma of a group home because my sister worked with the foster care system in South Carolina to come up with a solution best for me. In fact she showed up a day after getting a call from social services. She had to forgo any child support, sibling foster care benefits and any other assistance as I was not being placed in South Carolina. New York State would not assume the financial responsibility of a South Carolina case so my sister did it all herself with no help from either state or either addicted parent. While I am not the traditional foster care case, it was just as hard and just as traumatizing, but I refuse to let it be my excuse. Looking back, I realize what a selfless act my sister committed in assuming this responsibility as she was only in her early twenties herself. She was finishing up her master’s degree when I moved in with her, and with this, she taught me the power in education. My sister taught me how education saved her from the cycle of poverty, and she expected me to save myself from that cycle through education. This academic drive and change in focus from survival to thriving was equivalent to climbing a mountain- my entire life opened up and switched direction. I have my sister to thank for that. My passion is Marine Biology. Our oceans make up the most of our planet's surface but we know the least about them. My plan is to change that. I am looking to pursue a career in marine research where hopefully my studies change the world; perhaps even save it! I also know that people who have my type of story need help. It is this help that will enable me to make a positive impact in the global community through my future research and study. Thank you for your consideration.

I am Annie Reyes, current 12th grade student at Monticello High School. I will be pursuing Marine Biology at Stony Brook University. Our oceans are very underresearched and I hope to contribute to our planet by discovering more about them. At the age of twelve, I became a ward of the court in South Carolina. My mother lost custody of me due to addiction and neglect. My half-sister who I met twice previously dropped everything and came from New York State to get me when she found out. She eventually gained guardianship of me. Looking back, I realize what a selfless act she committed in assuming this responsibility as she was only in her early twenties herself. She was finishing up her master’s degree when I moved in with her, and she taught me the power in education. My sister taught me how education saved her from the cycle of poverty, and she expected me to save myself from that cycle through education. This academic drive and change in focus from survival to thriving was equivalent to climbing a mountain- my entire life opened up and switched direction. Education and my interest in wildlife and the sciences became a passion and I am so looking forward to making myself and my sister proud. My life story has taught me that anything is possible. Hard work pays off. I believe one person can make a difference and I can apply all I learn to my research studies. I know that this research has the potential to change (and maybe even save) the world and I am so excited about the possibilities. I also know that every good story has players that make it all happen for the main character. As the main character of my story; I know I will need help and not only from my sister. I know that I will have to be diligent in looking for all the opportunities that present themselves to me just like the Louis (Grizz) Scafetta Sr Memorial Scholarship. Just like "Grizz" I enjoy the outdoors and exploring what underlies all that we see on the surface as beauty. There is a legacy that lives on when individuals like Louis Scafetta contribute to our planet and environment even long after they are gone. I would consider it a privledge to have my research in college enabled by someone who truly loved the outdoors like me. Our oceans make up most of the planet; however, we know the least about them. I believe this research can make the Earth a better place and I am excited for this next step. I believe Stony Brook has the most afforable and credible program to enable me to begin my college journey. I do aim to pursue graduate studies in the future and to dedicate my life to our oceans and marine life. I cannot wait to step outdoors and into the water and begin to study what makes our world so beautiful and enjoyable. My goal is to keep it that way for generations to come.