Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication and sacrifices my parents made to ensure my educational journey was a priority. Their sacrifices have not only shaped my ambitions and aspirations but have also instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility to pay forward their selfless acts. My parents, both of whom had limited educational opportunities themselves, prioritized my education above all else. They worked tirelessly, often sacrificing their own comfort and desires, to provide me with the best possible opportunities for learning and growth. Their relentless support and belief in the power of education have been instrumental in shaping my ambitions and fueling my aspirations. The values instilled by my parents, such as perseverance, hard work, and resilience, have become the guiding principles that drive me towards my goals. Their emphasis on the importance of education as a tool for empowerment and self-improvement has instilled in me a deep appreciation for knowledge and learning. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, my parents never wavered in their commitment to my education. Their sacrifices, both big and small, have had a profound impact on my life trajectory, shaping me into the person I am today and fueling my desire to make a positive impact on the world. I wish to show my gratitude to them by honoring the money spent by them to pursue my education, and for that I have focused myself on three main points that I believe can prove to them that their sacrifices weren't in vain: 1. **Academic Excellence**: I will strive for academic excellence in all my endeavors, honoring the sacrifices my parents made to provide me with educational opportunities. By excelling in my studies, I aim to make them proud and demonstrate the value of their sacrifices. 2. **Community Engagement**: I plan to actively engage with my community and give back through volunteering, mentoring, and sharing my knowledge and skills with others. By supporting and uplifting those around me, I hope to honor the spirit of generosity and selflessness that my parents have embodied. 3. **Career Success**: I aspire to build a successful career that not only fulfills my own ambitions but also allows me to support my family and give back to those in need. By leveraging the opportunities afforded to me through education, I aim to create a positive impact on society and honor the legacy of sacrifice passed down by my parents. In conclusion, the sacrifices made by my parents have shaped not only my ambitions and aspirations but also my sense of purpose and responsibility. Their unwavering support and selfless acts have inspired me to strive for excellence, give back to my community, and make a meaningful impact on the world. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices they have made, and I am determined to pay their kindness forward through my academic pursuits and future endeavors.

Geology is the overarching study of the planet we live in. This field in particular was something that fascinated me as a child. "Why do we have mountains? Oceans? Volcanoes?" or "Was the world always like this?" were questions that frequently popped up in my head as I read through encyclopedias and watched as people online talked about things like dinosaurs or wooly mammoths. Growing up made me realized the world isn't just vast, it's a treasure trove of history, stories too old for me to even begin grasping how long ago it took place. The history of earth, and how it not only might have looked, but also might have felt, is something of great interest to me. Paleontology being a field of geology is what I am truly passionate about, and learning about the processes of the earth only made me more dedicated towards learning more. This field is one that requires a lot of expertise and accuracy, as well as a pretty good understanding of all basic sciences, being Physics, Chemistry and Biology, which are subjects that I personally have a very good understanding of due to my high school background. The field of paleontology only grows more advanced as we find more and more fossils to fill in the gaps, and I wish to join in and contribute to learning more about the history of the earth. Studying fossils of all ages and looking back at ancient ecosystems, and how they could compare to the modern world, also might help us predict some amount of how the world might continue to evolve as we push ever forward into the future. Further, educating and spreading information on new finds is something I deem to be very important. I am always on the lookout for any research opportunities that may help me further my skills and knowledge on the various techniques that will come in handy for my career. Looking at the rock records and essentially weaving a story of the world that eventually got all the way here to the present is something I could only have dreamt of as a child, but getting the opportunity to study Geology- with a focus on paleontology- as an undergraduate student has been such a great honor for me. I really want to continue pursuing this field and eventually make a career in it, and be able to research interesting things we find in the earth.