Community service has always been at the forefront of everything I do. I love helping out, and so far, I've ran blood drives, assisted with food banks, and ran STEM outreach events at my college. The biggest of these outreach events is the Tour of the Planets. During this event, the Mars Rover Design Team (of which I am currently the Chief Administrative Officer) and Rocket Design Team work together to host kids from Pre-K to 12th grade and their families to teach them about the solar system, space travel, and the science and engineering that can get people to the Moon or even Mars through demonstrations, experiments, and games. Usually, there are about one hundred families that come by. One of my favorite things to do is write. I love being able to think my way around a question, whether it be grounded in reality or in the clouds. Researching different topics related to geology, space and whatever else I think of in the moment makes me happy, and then I can use the things I've learned to write more convincing stories set in worlds far away. Eventually, I'd love to write a novel that can showcase what I've learned. I'd say my music taste is fairly eccentric in comparison to my peers'. My favorite genre is soundtrack music, and not the songs featured as cameos in films and video games. No, I mean the instrumental music playing in the background as the plot continues. I find it fascinating how certain assemblies of instruments can change a scene's meaning. My academic and career goals have been shaped largely by my favorite movies growing up. When I was very little, my parents introduced me to Jurassic Park and Transformers. It was these two movies that influenced my curiosity and gravitation towards STEM-- Jurassic Park set a strong foundation for my passion for geology, and Transformers made me wonder how everything works from an engineering standpoint. From these films, I had subconsciously determined which way I wanted my career to go by the age of four. I study Geology and Geophysics at Missouri S&T. Though I stepped away from the paleontology of Jurassic Park, I found a couple subjects that were new to me and equally as exciting: geochemistry and planetary science. I love learning about chemical reactions between rock and fluids, and pairing that with my adoration of space was life changing. Last summer, I interned with NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California. There, I learned that I can also combine my passions with engineering, and see how all of it culminates in a successful mission like the Perseverance rover. The experience solidified my goals of getting both a Master's degree and a doctorate in either geochemistry, planetary science, or systems engineering. In the future, I can see myself analyzing regolith samples from asteroids, the moon, or even Mars, and helping pave the way for new rovers and missions beyond our planet. I intend to continue my research-- first during the summer, when I've agreed to undertake a project in astrobiology, and in the future, as long as I can, for a career. I largely pay for college myself. I'm going to be taking on two jobs next year at the very least, as well as conducting research under a professor to help cover costs. I've already taken out a few loans and am applying to as many scholarships as I can. With one sibling in college and two others still at home, I do my best to help my family out by handling my collegiate finances by myself.

Prioritizing my mental health is only a recent development for me. Up until my freshman year in college, I thought I could skate along and not worry about my own wellbeing. There were other, grander things to worry about out there, like scholarships and grades. But then, something changed. My roommate then was one of my best friends from high school, and we roomed together for our first semester. Living with her for those four or five months allowed me to realize something important: even after six years of companionship, she wanted nothing more than to watch me fail--but she still kept me around so I could help her with her homework. My mental health crashed. Every time I voiced a concern, it was shrugged off. She told me I would never be able to achieve my dream of writing a book because my writing "never went anywhere". She told me that I should give up on geology when I thought about switching majors, and then she switched into it without any prior interest. I did not fail any classes that semester, thankfully, but if I'd stayed with her, I would have had to retake at least six of my eighteen hours from that fall. I moved out of that dorm after the first semester, and I am ever glad that I did. I know now that mental health is much more important and valuable than I originally gave it credit for. I learned that I need to set personal rules for how I expect friends to interact, and how they would ideally affect my mental health. A good mental health is what gives people their drive, and at a school like Missouri S&T, drive is a necessity. This year, I am prioritizing my mental health. I've learned that setting goals is a great way to promote mental health, as well as taking time to relax instead of stuffing my schedule to the brim with work. I am better at understanding that it's okay to say no to a get together, and much more knowledgeable about what I need to expect from a friendship: a friend should not be allowed to use me for answers and give nothing back. I've re-evaluated my friendships in this light and my mental health has improved significantly because of it. To improve my mental health further, I'm trying a new studying technique. Previously, I would finish my calculus homework all in one sitting, rather than taking my time and spreading the work over a couple days. I wouldn't look at the homework or review until about a week before the exam, when I would cram as much information as I possibly could into my memory and hope for a good recall on the day of the test. Now, I'm planning on reviewing the calculus material regularly, so that I can have a full repertoire of content at the ready without worrying as much. Of course, I will study during the week of the exam. However, this method will help alleviate some, if not all, of the stress that came from my previous method of cramming and panicking around exams. Mental health has not always been at the forefront of my mind, but I know now that it is imperative to my success in any and all things. I did end up switching into geology, and I'm in the process of writing a great new story. Despite my previous shortcomings in mental health, I'll continue to keep pushing to take care of myself, continue learning about friendship, and help others with their own mental health.

If you've ever seen a movie set in outer space, there is almost always some deadly extraterrestrial that's bound to hunt down our magically-surviving human protagonists. But what if that was real? What if, in the next fifty years, we actually discover alien life? And why does geology or geological engineering matter at all? At Missouri S&T, I've been researching a way that life can be found, without it coming to eat us. By using a trusty Hamamatsu mini spectrometer (my personal C3PO), and the mythical rays of the light spectrum, I can discover if a soil sample contains the essential building blocks for life: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur (CHNOPS). There are two ways that I look for CHNOPS in my research. I started out looking at UV fluorescence, which is how much light is emitted from a sample once a concentrated beam hits it. The atoms in the sample are excited and emit a photon, whose wavelengths are recorded by the mini spectrometer. The second method I use is called reflectance spectroscopy. It uses the same principle, but by seeing how different colors are absorbed by the sample, not emitted, I can tell which molecules make up the sample in the first place. In pop culture, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of movies with some kind of "home base" set on other planets. Geological engineering and general geology are crucial to making this science fiction concept into reality, as is my research. By knowing what kind elements and compounds a planet is essentially "made of", we can know where to build, and where to avoid (would you rather build a fortress in the Dune Sea of Tatooine, for instance, or in the sturdy woods of Endor?). By measuring this and taking note of the seismology of the place we are planning to settle, safety can be slightly more assured. There is, however, the discussion of food on these distant worlds. Many places, like most of the planets in our solar system, are barren. Food cannot be grown to sustain any human presence, no matter how hard we try. This is another reason geology is vitally important, and another reason why my research matters. My research focuses on the key components for life. If the "Big 6" are found in the soil of another world (or even on an asteroid), then growth is possible (with probable difficulty at the start). The type of soil, such as clay or silt, is also an important factor. Geology and hydrology dictate that the finer grain of soil, such as clay, the more capacity for water storage and, therefore, life. When we know what the soils of other planets are made of, we can estimate if life was-- or is-- possible, and how difficult it would be to settle in such a place. By assessing this, it is going to become more feasible to plan out and make bases on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, with a stable supply of food that doesn't have to be sent out a year prior. Now that organic molecules have been discovered on the surface of an asteroid, the frontier of space research and exploration will open wide. But while building the rockets and bases are important, it is also vital that these structures are built in the right places and that food can be grown if things go wrong. Geological engineers, geologists, and researchers are as important to the "space race" as the thruster to a rocket-- Without them, no one is going anywhere.

@objective_3773

There is only one thing that we are sure of in our time here on Earth: the fact that we don't know much about anything. After all, only five percent of our universe is visible to the naked eye. The other ninety-five percent? It's made up of a bunch of invisible bullies, pushing and pulling things around. Even then, we know less about the ocean, which takes up seventy-one percent of the surface of the tiny rock we spin on, than the billions of galaxies outside of our own. How crazy is that? In my mind, this kind of complexity and insaneness can be found on a smaller scale: within the Earth itself. Take garnet, the birthstone of every January-born human, for instance. Usually, the color of the semi-precious stone you see in jewelry stores varies from a deep wine red to a ruddy reddish-brown, reminiscent of dried blood. These colorations are because of the presence of iron in the molecules within the stone. Now you may be thinking: No big deal. Amethyst also results from the mingling between iron molecules and the predictable silicon dioxide of quartz. But there is a lot more to an ordinary-looking garnet than meets the eye-- and the eyes of the jewelry store in the mall. Green garnets exist, as do purple ones, orange ones, and even clear ones. Why? Because of impurities caused by vanadium, chromium, aluminum, and other metals that are present in the molecules. Before this, you probably thought that garnets were relatively predictable, like an emerald or a diamond, even with these hidden impurities. Nope! Garnet is still one of the most well-known "shapeshifters" when it comes to the geological world. But not literally, of course. They aren't Philosopher's Stones, changing from ordinary rough to gold. No, these stones change in a different way. The chemical formula for garnet is typically R3R2(SiO4)3. Now, you may notice that there is no element on the periodic table with a symbol that reads "R". There's a reason, believe me. The truth is, a garnet's formula is never completely predictable. It's not dangerously unstable, like uranium or polonium, but I still consider it a loose cannon. The "R"s in the formula are variables-- Any metal that either loses two or three electrons is eligible to land the roles that the "R"s represent. It's like a job interview. Imagine this: you put your needs and requirements for a job on display for the world to see. Your three friends, all from the silicon tetraoxide 'family', are your wingmen and will help you choose the right candidates for the job. At the end of the interview cycle, you realize that two versions of iron (two separate charges), calcium, magnesium, manganese, aluminum, and chromium fit all the criteria you set for your open job listing. Whichever two 'people' you choose determines the chemical bonds, internal composition and color of your 'business' (the garnet). I've always been fascinated by the Earth and outer space, but I never understood quite how wondrous it all is until I took chemistry and astronomy. From deciphering the Lewis structure of turquoise (it's amazing and frustrating how complicated its chemical formula is) to learning about the crushing masses of neutron stars and the impossibility of singularities, I was captivated by it all. The tiniest reactions can lead to the biggest changes, and that's why it's important to understand the universe. How did we get to this point? Where are we headed? What results from all of these minuscule changes in the plan? Last year, I went to my first camp to study the exosphere and how we as humans can get there through aerospace engineering. It was amazing-- I was able to build a satellite and learn about the process behind designing and testing aircraft. I felt largely at home, though I was one of two "small-town" kids who were sometimes excluded from the conversations of the urban kids who seemed to have it all and not realize it. After that camp, however, I shifted my vision slightly, and as a consequence my entire outlook on the future changed. I soon began to look into the earliest steps of the manufacturing process: As everyone knows, to build something, you'll first need the materials. Metallurgical engineering soon caught my eye, and it was no surprise that geology followed suit: Both fields took everything I love about chemistry and combined it with my passion for rocks and space. The Missouri University of Science and Technology has opened the door for me to make a difference and help the people-- and the planet-- that I love. For example, a variety of “critical minerals” have been identified as existing and attainable in my state. These minerals are crucial to making necessary advances in renewable energy and are also used to create semiconductors and batteries. Missouri S&T has been given grants to help find more local deposits of these minerals, and has permission to study the deposits’ impact on the mining industry’s effect on the worldwide economy. After finding these deposits, I would use my training in metallurgical engineering to find the best way to process and use these minerals, with a minimal amount of waste. For instance, consider a bridge: you would much rather drive over a bridge that is meant to last, rather than one that needs to be fully replaced in a few years. With metallurgy, I can create new, stronger alloys that would be more resistant to corrosion, yet strong enough to last for decades to come without fail. As we continue to move further away from our planet (to the moon through the Artemis missions and later to Mars), metallurgy will become more important. Stronger materials will be needed to combat the highly corrosive moondust and the brutal sandstorms of Mars, without mentioning the unknowns we don't know how to face quite yet. Since I intend to go to Missouri S&T for geology, I plan to join in this research. By finding and extracting the minerals from these hidden deposits, I will be able to push for more renewable energy and also be able to educate others on the importance of critical minerals. I will also be given the opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial role metallurgical engineers, miners and geologists play on a global scale. For instance, several Missouri S&T professors of geology and engineering have given testimony on the floor of Congress about their research and discoveries over the years. Perhaps, one day, I can as well. Though using the geological record and the trillions of chemical equations in existence are great tools to use when deciphering the meaning and timeline of the universe, it's not the only way. As I said before, we don't know much about ninety-five percent of our literal universe. Physics, math, and countless other disciplines are needed, as well as the time to develop and understand our purpose here on Earth. Understanding the universe can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. You could dedicate your life to understanding the formulas and chemical reactions that dictate life, forever learning because of your insatiable curiosity. Or, understanding the universe could be as simple as watching the sun rise over the dewy grass, and knowing that your place in the universe is as simple as being right here, right now. Sometimes, it doesn't make sense, but that's alright-- If you're confused, it means you're learning. Understanding the universe isn't always a sprint, it's a marathon. It took scientists hundreds of years to decide that yes, the Earth is round. We used to think that black holes couldn't be photographed, either. Currently, we don't know exactly how dark matter functions, or why it has such a strong gravitational pull. We're getting closer to understanding how it relates to time, though. Recently, scientists have discovered a way to read gravitational waves that could have occurred just seconds after the Big Bang. With these breakthroughs, we can begin to learn and understand our place in the universe, and how we are here to begin with. I want to learn all that I can about the universe and come to understand it, despite my limits (one of which is my autism). I know that there are many things I won't be able to comprehend right away. In spite of this, I believe that my time in college will prepare me to answer the questions I have, and that I'll be prepared to solve them. Maybe, using the combination of metallurgy and geology, I'll be able to create better materials for space expeditions, and combat the corrosion of the dreaded moon dust (did you know that the dust destroyed the vacuum seals of the Apollo missions' sample containers?). All I know is that the universe is grand and full of discoveries just waiting to be unearthed. There's more to the universe than what meets the eye, just like the garnets and their tricky, loose-cannon formulas.

It's not enough to just say I love to run. It's not enough to explain how I've run in circles my whole life-- From laps around the kitchen table to running amuck all over the tiny yard I used to call my home. No, I love running because of the thunder that comes from the pounding of colorful shoes on the frosted hills, the crisp quality of the fresh autumn air, and the resounding peals of laughter after someone on the team tells a good joke. Running, to me, was a source of excitement and wonder. I looked forward to running timed laps around the track and taking note of how vibrant the cornfields looked under the golden sunrises of late August. I loved feeling the electric buzz of anxious competitors as we lined up and waited for the pistol to signal "Go!". I felt blessed and happy when my coach pulled out the water guns one hot afternoon and we played war like little kids. Running was beautiful, freeing, and gave me the chance to make some amazing friends. That being said, however, running isn't made entirely of the good times. My biggest challenge occurred because of running. Every athlete in cross country dreams of going to the state-level meet. In my high school, there was always a parade celebrating the students who made it into the top fifteen at the district level (and were automatically qualified to move on to state). The event was a symbol of success and honor; it seemed like the entire school had your back. But you can't have a dream without a nightmare. A cross-country runner's worst nightmare is getting hurt. A rolled ankle can mean you're out for at least a whole week. Not stretching and pulling a muscle can be devastating in workouts. A fracture, break, or tear can end your whole career. And not just your high school career, either. In some cases, if the damage is lasting enough, it will take years or even decades to run to the fullest again. And that's what happened to me. Picture this: a runner with a high ponytail and black calf sleeves on each leg starts her race with a strong stride. Then her race is halfway over, and you realize she's slowing down. It's not because she started too quickly, or didn't drink enough water. She used her inhaler beforehand, so it's not asthma-related. So what's wrong? Then you see it. She's favoring her right hip, and grimacing every time she takes a step. That was me for the entirety of my last season in cross country. I have Piriformis Syndrome, in which the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. It causes inflammation and all kinds of pain-- I can't sit in one position for very long before it begins to ache. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the state level in that condition. The teammate of mine that did go was running her races in about twenty-one minutes, and I was running about twenty-five minutes because of the pain. No matter how many stretches or PT sessions I went to, though, my hip never healed. But I refused to let my final season be cut short by an injury. I made sure that everyone-- teammate or not-- was okay after every race and did my best to support each individual as they moved on to state. I thought the weaknesses of my body would prevent me from having a fulfilling season. But it didn't-- I helped the people I cared about, and that's what matters most.

Mental illness was always a taboo subject when I was growing up. My father didn't believe it existed--It was only a weakness you would have to overcome. It wasn't able to destroy people's lives, just minorly inconvenienced the afflicted individual until they simply stopped believing they were sick. This belief was carried throughout my entire childhood and was only recently shed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and my father's anxiety coming to light. At my tiny rural school, it was a similar story. Mental illness was never talked about, so it didn't exist. The counselor there didn't ever explain that there were other, deeper emotions than just happiness, sadness, or anger. She didn't explain the complex interweavings of cortisol, dopamine, serotonin, or any of the other hormones that sprint through people's heads daily. Maybe she thought the subject was too difficult for students to understand, or perhaps she didn't have adequate resources to provide us with a good foundation in mental health. Either way, this bittersweet and blissful ignorance led to my first encounter with the well of mental illness. My grandmother died when I was nine. It was cancer. It started in her lungs, traveled to her brain, and then put her into a coma--She died at four in the morning on March twenty-first, twenty-fourteen. I only learned of her passing after school was over. I remember my teacher at the time told me she was sorry that morning, but I brushed it off and said, "What's there to be sorry for? Nothing happened." I regret it often. I should've asked what she meant. My grandmother was my next-door neighbor. How was I supposed to live without her? She was the one that taught me to appreciate Colby-Jack cheese in chicken-and-noodle soup. She showed me how to birdwatch without scaring the animals away. My grandmother was my biggest role model. And now she was gone. I spiraled into a deep depression that lasted for about six years. It came on slowly, peaking in fifth grade. I got to the point of truly believing that I was completely alone--I'd withdrawn from society, and my friends fell away. I delved into books to dull the constant pain. I thought no one cared whether I lived or died, and I became suicidal that winter. Of course, I didn't tell anyone. As far as I knew, no one had caught on that I was faking being happy. I'd begun plotting my end, the ideas solidifying in my mind--and then I became scared. It wasn't terror or horror, but just the finality of what I intended to do that shocked me into not going through with it. There was a high schooler, Hannah, that had committed just the year before. It nearly destroyed her family, and I was about to follow exactly in Hannah's footsteps--What would happen to my parents? My sister and my brothers? When they were old enough, would they get matching memorial tattoos, too, or would they end up dying of grief instead? In about eighth grade, I was free of depression. I'd made friends, and things were looking up--until high school began. I started having anxiety attacks and people left me behind. I worry more now than when I had depression--Will my friends leave me in the dust like the other ones did? How will I pay for college? I thought about committing again this past January, and thankfully I didn't--The power of a few simple words can change lives. I know my mental illness has brought me to my knees. It'll happen again. But I'll always fight back.

Some people say the earliest memories have the most impact on a young child. I'd believe it-- After all, if I hadn't watched 'Jurassic Park' when I was barely walking, there would be a slim chance that I would have jumped into reading so early or chosen to pursue geology as one of my prospective degrees. The movie has completely shaped my world, for better or worse. There were three things that Jurassic Park definitively influenced in the scope of my childhood. The first was my desire to learn more. After watching the movie a few times, I decided that I wanted to learn everything I possibly could about the dinosaurs in the movie and then some. I devoured everything I could about animal science, extinct or not. A DK animal encyclopedia was my all-time favorite book, and after I read that a few times over, I began to read this really small book that talked about the Cretaceous period-- Reading in the dark did not help my eyesight, wouldn't you know-- and it still wasn't enough. My curiosity would be forever piqued, and all because of a fiction movie from 1993. The second way that Jurassic Park changed my life is that it allowed me to tell the difference between film and reality. It wasn't true disillusionment, but it taught me that films-- and the books behind them-- get simple facts wrong about very real things. For example, consider the velociraptor. It's powerful, intelligent, and the height of a full-grown man. They're clever, and the source of most of the murders in the entire Jurassic Park franchise-- but almost all of these things are lies. Velociraptors in real life were about the size of a turkey. The true six-foot-tall killing machines could have actually been Utahraptors or a similar species called the Deinonychus-- The media's view of a velociraptor simply exists because Michael Crichton decided "deinonychus" was too hard to pronounce and wrote in a much smaller species with an easier name. The final impact that Jurassic Park made on my life is that it taught me to dream. Not just in the literal sense, of course. After seeing that movie, I was able to picture a future for myself where I was able to contribute to the world, and still enjoy doing my work. Of course, that dream has shifted a bit, but I'm still able to trace the thread back to the source of my inspiration. My insatiable curiosity and my hopes for the future all began with a four-year-old girl, staring up at a bunch of bumbling, reptilian creatures trying to eat the people who caged them.

In the future-- there is a future, mind you-- My dream self has a great career joining engineering and geology, a close group of friends, and the satisfaction of knowing I won't regret any one of my choices-- But the greatest thing about the future is that I'd be free of the anxiety that plagues me every day, and I'll be genuinely happy with my life.

How am I unique? That's an interesting question. I'm hardworking-- Nope, everyone is hardworking (or at least they say they are). I ran cross country-- Nuh-uh. At the State race alone, over two hundred fifty girls were competing. Every one of them came from their own school, with their own teams, and you have to have at least five people competing to qualify as a "team"...That's a lot of people. Okay. Let's try this again. I'm from a rural area with an extremely limited curriculum--No. Even though most of the people in the United States hail from huge cities with access to classes and clubs and programs I can only dream of, there are still millions of rural students with the same lack of curriculum as I. Anyone can learn to be just as "special" as someone else with enough practice, dedication, and the Internet. It's certainly hard to be unique in this world of copy-and-paste stories. So how am I unique? There are so many ways I could handle this. I could spill a dramatic lie about my life story, write an eloquent essay that describes every last aspect of my personality, or even give you enough reasons to guilt trip you into giving me this scholarship. But that's dishonest, and I think that if I am to win this scholarship, it should be for honesty and not the spinning of tales. So, I'm just going to tell you the truth. After all, that's the only way for us to move forward. My name is Lauren. I'm unique because out of a trillion different tiny interactions, counter-reactions, choices, and possible outcomes, I ended up collecting rocks and fossils. Now, I know this seems random, but bear with me. It'll all make sense soon. When I was little, 'Jurassic Park' was my favorite movie--So much so that I was determined to be some kind of scientist when I grew up. Fast forward fourteen years, and I've started collecting rocks and fossils again--Not just because they're pretty or shiny. To me, rocks symbolize our history, our memory, and our connection to one another. We find the remains of animals from millions of years ago and scramble to solve the mystery of our origin. When we uncover an ancient civilization, we wonder what they knew and why they disappeared without a trace. The Norse used rune stones to help make sense of the world-- I bought one recently from a local curiosity store. I like to imagine how it got there. Was it cherished by someone before it went to that store? Was it the result of a failed Etsy listing? How many hands have held it, and will I be the last? I know it seems crazy, but it all ties into how I can serve my community. This fall, I intend to dual major and Geology and Metallurgy. The community I live in doesn't know much about either discipline--With less than a thousand people across three nearby towns, most of the focus is on farming and cattle. That's not a bad thing, but I hope to broaden their knowledge of the soils they plant in, engineer new materials to help them in their harvests, and, if I'm lucky, examine planets like ours and help stop global warming by studying their characteristics. Trillions of possibilities come and go every day, but many people strive to imitate someone else despite their incredible odds. How am I unique? How will I give back to my community? I collect rocks, and I want to use them to engineer new possibilities for a better future.

Middle school: the "melting pot" of student society. The hormones and the drama alone are enough to drive someone up a wall-- That is, if they don't back out first and rescind their enrollment. Things are especially messy when three elementary schools are suddenly jammed into one place, and newcomers with one foot in the door and no one to talk to, collide. This is how it was for my class in 2017-- a group of small towns suddenly came together to teach the youth in one school building, instead of the normal three. It was easy to be alone. No one knew each other, aside from the occasional pair of best friends that had essentially been raised together. I was an outsider from the start. I came from an alien school district and had left all of my former friends behind. I was quiet, studious, and never raised my hand in class-- I never drew any kind of attention to myself. But then I noticed something peculiar and social-life-saving about the student Chromebooks at school. Talking to one another through Google Chat was blocked by a heavy firewall. Note-passers and loud-talkers were always caught and dealt with. I discovered something that the teachers never expected. Google Docs, the document editing program, could be used to make friends. I named the document the "S. S. Assignment", modeled after the typical battleship, and asked kids in my science class if they wanted to be added to it. A few said "yes," and then things took off-- We assigned each other nicknames, specific fonts and colors, and got to know each other better than we'd previously imagined we could. We helped each other with our homework and played in-document games, learning the comedic styles of everyone in the group. Eventually, we wrote a thirty-seven-thousand-word story together, even though it never came to completion. Plans to go to the movies and links to the local theater's website became available and often went smoothly. It wasn't discovered until the end of the second year, but close ties were still established long before the document went offline. There were about nine of us regularly chatting. I'm still good friends with seven of the other participants (one passed away from leukemia, and the other just drifted away from the group). Even now, five years later, most of us still go to the movies together. If I hadn't figured out the secrets of Google Docs' possibilities, I know for a fact I wouldn't have the friends that I do now. The invention of the "S. S. Assignment" paved the way for me to meet my best friends and gather the nerve to get out of the house on the weekends. One of the participants is now my prospective roommate for college this upcoming fall-- I wouldn't have even considered it had I not met her, or any of the others. As our first year of college looms on the horizon, I hope that, should the need arise, I can always rely on Google Docs to help me connect with more great people.

It's odd how you only realize what you have after it's gone. When I was nine, my grandmother died from metastatic lung cancer-- In less than half a year, her cancer had evolved from a simple Stage 1 tumor to Stage 4, spreading to her brain and proving fatal. She entered a coma in early March 2014 and died on the 21st at four in the morning. I found out after school that day. It destroyed me. Her death struck me as a wake-up call. I withdrew, seeking art and stories to keep me alive, and eventually joined cross country in seventh grade. Then, in tenth grade, I was able to run at the state level; it was one of the best things I've ever accomplished in my six years of running competitively. This year, I was able to win the Sportsmanship award, and I owe it all to my grandmother and her influence on my childhood. Using her memory as a driving force, I've learned to not blame myself and push harder and harder to succeed. I'm Vice President of my class and my school's chapter of the National Honor Society now-- I never would have pursued either office had her leadership not been cut short. I wouldn't have thought to serve my community quite as much, either; this past December, I was allowed to run a blood drive through the American Red Cross. It was an amazing opportunity, and I intend to serve at another this April. All in all, I've learned to focus on making a difference in my community, rather than standing on the sidelines and letting things simply happen to me, my family, and my friends. Coming from a rural community with less than a thousand people makes it hard for anyone to land a job in STEM-- We have no robotics, physics, foreign language, trigonometry, or decently working computers, for instance-- But I'm willing to go the distance to reach my goals in Geology and Metallurgy and later help lift other rural students so they can enter STEM, too, and help make a difference in their communities as well. But to do all that, I have to remember three things: first, it's important to remember the good times-- and the bad. Though the memories are painful, they teach us some of the most important lessons we'll ever learn. Second, it's okay to fall. You just have to get back up. And finally, you should help others along the way. They say it's lonely at the top-- Who said you can't take others with you? Serving and living in compassion is something not many people do. But that was what my grandmother would've done.

If someone suddenly made the stars vanish from the night sky, we would all undoubtedly feel a great sense of loss-- even if we didn't remember what we were missing. Losing writing would make me feel the same way. I'd lose a great amount of myself, and I'd be trapped without a crucial way to express myself. When I was nine, my grandmother died. I didn't know how to cope with it-- She was a driving, ever-present, and supportive force in my life; how would I survive without her guiding me? I turned to the wonderful world of writing stories to help cure my heartache. It didn't help immediately, as nothing ever does, but it was a start toward recovery. None of it was good prose, looking back. Many spelling errors and obvious plot holes are made abundantly clear every time I go back to look at my former sources of sanctuary and pride. But, as grammatically wrong as my stories may have been, they gave me something I desperately needed: hope. I could write about better futures, and create new worlds with happy endings-- Which was everything I needed to hear in that shadow of my life. The idea of writing was always there to tell me, "Things can still go right, even if everything seems to be crashing down around you." As time went on, so did the prevalence of writing in my life. My stories grew longer, and I looked more and more to books and poems to supply imagination, style and inspiration for me to continue writing after a long break. Then, in seventh and eighth grade, I was able to write a story with my friends-- One of the best times of my life. It only ended up about thirty-seven pages, but to me, it was a symbol of my truest friends to this day. Writing has always been incredibly important to me. It's a huge part of who I am as a person and has helped me accept my grandmother's passing and restructure my life. This past year, I've written two short stories, each around 17,000 words, for a nationwide contest-- A huge achievement in my eyes. Nine-year-old me and middle-school-me probably wouldn't believe it. As silly and short as their stories were, they never shared their works with anyone-- And now I was sharing not only stories but poems, as well, with a national audience? They'd lose their minds. In a way, writing saved my life. I was deep in depression when I first began crafting and telling stories-- If I hadn't begun using my work as an outlet for my grief and pain, I would not be here today. Writing taught me how to be happy again, be more confident in myself, and allowed me to meet my best friends. I learned to love poems and books, screenwriting and song, because of writing. To say I owe a lot to the practice of writing is a massive understatement, and if it were to vanish from the face of the Earth completely... I would never be the same.

My community is home, for many reasons, and it inspires me every day to give back. Before my family and I moved to our new home, the community was stifling. Even though we were supposed to feel safe there, the only things that anyone seemed to care about were who you were related to, your position in the church, and how much money lined your pockets. As an outsider, you had two choices: either forge a way into the inner circles of the 'close-knit' community-- through pain, lies and heartache-- or you were to forever remain on the fringes of the community for as long as you were a part of it. The latter was true of my family. But our new community is different. Though many people are related, it doesn't matter nearly as much, and the people don't hide behind weak, money-fueled facades. They are true and look out for everyone, including strangers and newcomers. There is no 'inner circle'-- everyone is equal. This is why I seek to become involved within my community-- Not only do I owe them, in a way, but I also want to make as much of an impact on their lives as they have mine. One of the greatest ways I've worked to influence change in my community is through hosting and leading a blood drive this past December. I worked hard to plan and recruit donors all month long, and in the end, more people than expected showed up-- Which was far more than I was hoping for. It was an incredible opportunity to serve, and I have the peace of knowing that lives can and will be saved because of the drive. Another way I strive to influence change is through my student council and government. In each, I have a unique opportunity to visibly make a difference. As the Secretary of the student council and Vice President of my class, I am responsible for taking important notes and making sure that everyone's voice is heard. I have to learn what it is that the student body is unhappy about and bring the topics to light in our meetings so that a change can be wrought. Recently, I have noticed a considerable increase in our school spirit-- Usually, our pep rallies are historically dull, and without applause. However, on our last day of school before winter break, our gym was filled with tremendous applause and support for both the student body and our staff. It was amazing! I was proud, then, of the changes we'd been able to bring to our community, and continue to hope that same enthusiasm will last long after my class graduates.

In my mind, success is like a colony of coral. Each tiny victory, like a microscopic polyp, adds up to make something greater--Like the achievement of a huge goal, or a dream come true at last. I believe it's better to try, complete, and celebrate the little goals and victories, rather than immediately shoot for the stars and end up lost and disappointed if things don't work out. My peers often look to absolutes to fulfill their dreams. "If I don't take this one class, then I will never become a nurse," one person told me. Another said, "I'm going to go to this certain college. If I can't make the admittance requirements...I don't have a backup plan." They believe in their high-flying goals enough that they can't plan for when things go awry. Though I struggle with this too, I always remind myself that while things are out of my control, I can still do my best and complete the tiniest of steps to ensure I can get as close to my target as I can. This strategy of taking success one step at a time, I believe, will keep me from becoming overstressed and burning out later in life. It'll keep me accountable for my own goals, instead of leaving them entirely up to fate, and allow me to carefully fine-tune and shape my goals to become more attainable. In the end, I know I'll be able to confidently say, "I can--and will--reach this goal".

It's Vacation Time Has life been getting you down? Have you been Rickrolled just too many times? Well, friend, I have just the solution for you It's free, it's fun, and your worries will soon be gone Come with us on vacation and you will see Jupiter and Saturn in all their majesty We have comets and moons, all displayed Like a little kid's toys, in cosmic disarray Don't worry about friends, family, construction crews They might be afraid after they hear the news Of your great journey, your magnificent ride They might flee and shout that you are out of your mind But friend, come on. Why do they get a say? Who are they to decide If you took advantage of your vacation time? Now, buddy, don't worry your pretty little head about the cost. Free food and drinks are kept in deep space frost! Not that you'd ever need them, of course. Our medical specialists will make sure that hunger is one thing your body will not endorse. Oh yes, our guys are top of the line But there is one thing you must know if you want this vacation time There are a few... Tests that we must run Precautionary things, mostly... But it's only to make sure that you have fun! It's not like we're probing your memories or anything Why, that would be ridiculous! We don't need to know exactly how your society works, or who you left behind We're definitely not going to use the information we discover for blackmail, should the need arise Aw, don't give me that look You just don't understand what it took For me to choose you, instead of anyone else It took me a long time to find you, in that weird store with the belts You looked so out of it, so confused So I flew my craft to see what blew your fuse My stealth setting should have engaged But the stupid check engine light got in the way So obviously you saw me And so here we are You want to pretend this never happened, hmm? Well, too bad. It's been centuries since we left your home Oh, what's that? I don't understand your language, dummy Here. I have two translators left from my days in the circus I was the best zero-gravity trapeze artist that ever lived, let me tell you-- "Were you adopted by some rich guy in black afterward?" Don't give me that tone, human, I'll vaporize you. If you stick your tongue out at me one more time... "And what are you going to do about it?" I-- I'll vaporize you, just like all the others! "This is your first time abducting someone, isn't it?" Um... No? "You know we haven't left Earth yet, right?" I beg your pardon? "You pressed the projection button, not the hyperjump button. We're still in the parking lot of the belt store." That can't be! I passed my pilot's test with flying colors! "We're not even moving. Only five minutes have passed. And we're still in parking position." [Unintelligible] "Hey! No cursing on this vacation!"

Someone once told me, “Mindset is everything.” Sure, that was after a tough Cross Country race and had nothing truly to do with the situation at hand, but I still believe that the statement can be applied to understanding the nature of our universe. After all, mindset determines perspective, and perspective determines what is learned and understood. It’s important to understand the world-- and, to a greater extent, the universe-- around us, because it can teach us many things about life and ourselves. In many ways, it seems as though humans were built to understand the universe: we learned to travel the seas because we looked to the stars, and learned to survive because of natural selection. Without fail, we explore and discover, and learn and interpret everything we can before our time runs out. Working to understand the universe, then, sounds like something humans will automatically try to do, but I think the opposite is true. People are afraid of what they do not know and refuse to let go of their hard-earned perspectives on life and our place in this universe. But this is why working to understand the nature of the universe is so important. If we work together to understand something so vast and amazing, then surely we can learn to overcome our irrational fear of change and the unknown, and propel ourselves forward into a new age of achievement and growth. Applying this doctrine to understanding the nature of our universe requires a few different things: the principles of math and science, and the idea behind an open mind. Science is a very important tool, and, more now than ever before, easily accessible. Much of what we know about our universe is already outlined by science, and will most likely continue to be used to research, discover, and further our understanding in the future. However, we must realize that we still know so little about the universe. There’s always something new to learn, to figure out, to solve-- and that’s why science and math are imperative in our quest to understand. We can formulate and model, research tirelessly and discover many things to, quite literally, understand how things in our universe function. Quantitative data that describes the universe would be at our fingertips, and in the future, we could find new ways to interpret the data further. Even in their simplest forms, science and math can serve as a baseline for discoveries to branch off of, and a retreat if things go wrong. The nature of anything is not only described by numbers, though. It is also described by unseen, abstract concepts-- For example, the presence of a “personality” in humans, or the idea of memory. To comprehend these concepts, we must employ a certain mindset and have an open mind. Open-mindedness is something that people are increasingly encouraged to practice every day. The same behavior applies to understanding the nature of our universe, and in a similar way. If we discover intelligent life, or when it discovers us, there will be many things we won’t understand. Maybe they never needed the process of natural selection to occur. Maybe they love and act in vastly different ways than we do. Or maybe we can’t even comprehend how they are alive at all-- The possibilities of what could be out there are endless. If one thing is to be said about humanity, it’s that we are afraid of change and differences. We fight it, we flee from it, and it takes centuries for beliefs to become a new “normal” or move past the point of being considered taboo. But if we want to understand the nature of our universe, we have to move past that. Our universe is vast, and filled with more answers than we’ll ever know-- Answers about space, time, and even life itself-- and that is why I believe that we need to work together to understand it. Within this universe lies the answers to our most desperate questions, and the reason we’re here. In understanding the nature of the universe, we can learn things about and for ourselves that might allow us to better connect with and empathize with our peers, and maybe even make our world a better place before it's too late.

One time, I received an email and the subject read, "Was it worth it?". It turned out to be an ad for a university, but it still terrified me-- What did they know? Was it a mistake? Did they know about my struggles with self worth, that the calm façade I'd worked so hard to maintain was cracking? After the initial panic, I read the entire email and calmed down. But the question lingered nonetheless, and every now and then I still have to wonder: Was any of the struggle worth it? Mental health isn't easily measured. It is one of the most important parts of human nature; our ability to work and connect with others can be determined by how 'good' or 'bad' our mental health is. For example, I can write a thousands words when I am confident in my worth as a person, and easily find the means to brighten other people's days. But on a 'bad' day, my anxiety spikes, and that ends up being the only thing I can think about. All I want to do on those days is hide away like a cornered animal. To maintain this fragile balance of 'good' and 'bad' mental health, I do a few different things. I talk to my mom and my friends about my struggles, though opening up is still something I need to work on. Sketching and drawing also provide good outlets for when I'm stressed, and often calms me down when I'm upset. I write stories to cope with things that could have happened, and things that still have the possibility of occurring. It provides an escape, and something that, in this crazy world, I still have a little bit of control over. That's one of the things I struggle with the most: accepting that things are out of my control. I have to remind myself that not everything works the way I want it to, especially people, and learn that it's okay to not control everything all at once. Because of this, I repeat little sayings to myself occasionally to help me accept that things will still work out: It's okay to not know, and it's equally okay to take a break. I have every right to rest after a long day of nonstop working. But that's all for helping fix a 'bad' day-- A few activities I use to help maintain a positive mental wellness are watching movies with my friends, studying rocks and minerals, and building landscape dioramas. It's therapeutic to me how well certain pieces work together, and how I can use art to help bring so many different landscape ideas and color schemes to life. To me, mental health is something of a necessity in life. It determines your outlook on things, and holds the possibility of changing someone else's life, too. For many reasons, it's vital that we maintain mental wellness. I, personally, am able to better interact with the world around me and draw inspiration from it when my mental wellness is strong. I am able to believe that I can complete this essay on time, and make an impact in my community tomorrow. I can make a difference when my mental health is 'good', and I hope that maybe I'll inspire others to do the same.

Have you ever looked up to the night sky and thought to yourself, "I wonder what else is out there?" I certainly have. Looking to the stars is one of my favorite pastimes, and not just because the constellations and galaxies are beautiful. It's my dream to study the exosphere and the physics behind it. Sometimes, however, the science is nearly impossible-- Impossible, that is, without technology at the forefront of discovery. Two of the biggest problems that we face regarding the final frontier is a lack of diversity and sustainable energy for interstellar travel. Many of the faces we see in the technology field are white men-- And these men often do not listen to minority opinions or instead take credit for their work. It is my hope, through hard work and determination, that I can help stop this trend, and make sure the correct individuals receive recognition for their work. I want to make a positive impact in the technological "arena", not only by doing my best to be a good coworker, but also by inspiring the next generation of aromantic, asexual, and agender people to enter tech-related careers. From a quantitative angle, I want to help engineers program and code new probes and satellites, so we can catch a glimpse of the inner workings of our universe and have the option to study it further. If given the chance, I'll use my education to process samples and data, so that way we can grasp an idea of how the gas giants formed, or use models and graphs to determine the different ways gravity fluctuates around different celestial bodies. And if I'm unable to reach the stars, I'll do my best to figure out a reliable way to get there. Maybe I'll figure out a new fuel source that lasts longer than previous compounds, or maybe I'll design a more effective craft that allows for less risk for manned missions. In any situation, technology is at the center of my educational and professional goals. I believe that technology can be used to solve many problems, in many different forms. We can connect with people in ways we never dreamed possible, and beat impossible odds. Whether we want to accept it or not, technology will keep advancing and affecting our lives, for better or worse. But we can make sure it is headed in the right direction-- By allowing those willing to stand up for what is right to access the tools and resources, educational or otherwise, that they need to make the world a better place.

People have always looked to the sky for answers, and their technology reflects it. From the first sundial to today's cutting-edge telescopes, the ability to trace the stars and see worlds unknown has always captivated humankind. But which development has been the most crucial to the world's welfare? Which, out of all our advancements, is the most inspiring-- to me, at least? The answer is simple. The technology that inspires me on a daily basis is the limitless uses of light in a variety of situations. We know that we cannot see the wavelengths that make up ultraviolet and infrared light, but that does not keep humankind from accessing it. These frequencies are used to map out the infinite nothingness of the exosphere and millions of celestial bodies within it-- including our own sun. Using new technology, we can measure the intensity and magnitude of solar flares and better prepare for their impacts on the electrical grid, our crops, and even our livelihoods. The world is safer with this information at hand; without it, we would be left in the dark. Another way that light helps make the world a better place is through laser technology. With it, we can give people back their sight through cataract surgery, create and store information, as well as create jobs in the manufacturing industry. In the future, laser technology could be used in split-second rescues in places where traditional methods won’t work-- like underwater, in unstable, collapsed buildings, or in space. Light has been critical to the development of modern technology, and also provides a pathway to greater things to come. It changes everything by making life possible to begin with, and inspires people to make the world a better place. The endless possibilities of light inspire me every day to keep looking up, in hopes that it will continue to change things for the better. I find myself wondering what could come next-- Will it be something I could create? Women are crucial to the technological "arena" that we find ourselves in, and every day their contributions inspire me to do more. Eventually, these women in technology will be able to further harness light’s usefulness and propel us into the future-- if they aren't doing so already.

I picked two wholly instrumental songs for this prompt. You may be asking, "Why on Earth would you do that? That's just a bunch of random notes! If there's no words, how can you find any sort of message?" Well, frankly, a lack of words adds to the mystique of the song, in my opinion. Anger, humiliation, joy, sadness--Sometimes, words simply can't describe how deep or important emotions can be, and that's what makes instrumental and soundtrack music beautiful. The songs I believe have the most important message, though they're instrumental, are "Stay" by Hans Zimmer, and "Stationary Cycle" by Thomas Shapiro. Although both of these songs are from movies, they both exhibit important hidden meanings. "Stay" features a gradual crescendo of beautiful, yet distraught, violin as the song progresses--I interpret this as the moments leading up to a big decision, like leaving for college. A deadline isn't necessarily foreboding until time's all run out--Then, you have to actually make your choice. You have to decide if this is what's best for you, and know you risk hurting the ones you love. The main crescendo reflects the feelings of someone you leave behind, begging for you to, as the title suggests, stay. Stay where it's comfortable and safe, instead of facing an uncertain future. On the other hand, "Stationary Cycle" is a promise. Routine and order are things that most of us look for in life, and this song describes the bittersweet nature of it perfectly. The ticking of a watch and guitar-violin-xylophone setup allows you to recognize the sweet sadness that could be anyone's daily routine, and the hopeful flute intervals inspire change--With each note, you can imagine being given the knowledge that it's possible to break free of the loop, and become greater than you ever thought possible.

I thought applying for scholarships would be easy. I would write my best essays, and submit my best stories-- but a lot of the time this isn't what the judges are looking for. It seems that on some websites, the shorter essays that only last a couple sentences win the prize. On others, I've seen plagiarism win the scholarship. Someone directly copied and pasted a previous winner's essay, and apparently won favor amongst the judges' panel. Maybe there were different judges from year to year, but it seemed odd to me that they wouldn't notice a word-for-word replica on the Previous Winners' page. Another thing I've realized through applying for scholarships is that there is an insane amount of competition online. I was raised in a rural area, and it never really clicked that I was competing with thousands of people all around the world-- In my mind, I'd imagined just competing against the 50-odd students in my grade, not just anyone who had even the slightest access to the internet. Looking back, I should have realized that probably hundreds, if not thousands or millions, of people visit the same websites that I do at any given moment of the day. A third thing I have learned through applying for scholarships is that many people do not like long processes for their applications, and I can use this to my advantage. Scholarships with less competition are often longer, require more personal questions, and may even require a transcript or a letter of recommendation. These take much longer to fill out, and not everyone has the time to sit down and complete the scholarship in one go, so people avoid them. Even I have found myself trying to find and apply to 'easier' scholarships here on Bold.org. People also tend to avoid creative writing and the creation of art-- Not memoirs or reflections of favorite paintings, but fiction stories and your personal artwork. For example, I viewed Bold.org's Instagram story today, and there was a poll for which scholarship was to be revealed next: would it be about art, music, flash fiction, or sports? Music (so far) has won the poll with nearly 15% more votes, and my hypothesis for why is as follows: worded music is easier to describe, because it was already created by someone. With art or fiction, you have to think and create on your own, and that takes a bit of time-- given that you don't plagiarize someone else's work. The final thing I learned from applying to scholarships is to keep hoping and remain vigilant. Even if I don't win this scholarship, or any of the long-winded ones, I can still hope for a day when I will win one. I'll continue to put out my best work, never plagiarizing or cheating, and maybe someday my effort will make the cut-- But even if it doesn't, I can still count my experience applying for scholarships as meaningful and instructional, extremely so. It has opened my eyes to countless possibilities, and a global community that I can connect with as well. Scholarships may not be necessarily easy, but the most important thing I have learned by far is that every application, with no regard to how much it is or isn't worth, matters.

People have always looked to the sky for answers, and their technology reflects it. From the first sundial to today's cutting-edge telescopes, the ability to trace the stars and see worlds unknown has always captivated humankind. But which development has been the most crucial to the world's welfare? Which, out of all our advancements, is the most inspiring-- to me, at least? The answer is simple. The technology that inspires me on a daily basis is the limitless uses of light in a variety of situations. We know that we cannot see the wavelengths that make up ultraviolet and infrared light, but that does not keep humankind from accessing it. These frequencies are used to map out the infinite nothingness of the exosphere and millions of celestial bodies within it-- including our own sun. Using new technology, we can measure the intensity and magnitude of solar flares and better prepare for their impacts on the electrical grid, our crops, and even our livelihoods. The world is safer with this information at hand; without it, we would be left in the dark. Another way that light helps make the world a better place is through laser technology. With it, we can give people back their sight through cataract surgery, create and store information, as well as create jobs in the manufacturing industry. In the future, laser technology could be used in split-second rescues in places where traditional methods won’t work-- like underwater, in unstable, collapsed buildings, or in space. Light has been critical to the development of modern technology, and also provides a pathway to greater things to come. It changes lives, often for the better, and inspires people to make the world a better place. Eventually, women in technology will be able to harness light’s usefulness and propel us into the future-- And I cannot wait to stand there alongside them.

When I was four, I was obsessed with only one Disney movie: The Princess and the Frog. The colors, the music, even the art style had me losing my mind. Tiana's character was played by such a formidable actress that I often wondered if I could end up singing just as well, or make a big impact on my community, just like she did. But the acting wasn't the only reason Tiana's character stuck with me as my favorite Disney character for about fourteen years now. I had seen many other 'princess movies' before The Princess and the Frog. Barbie, Sleeping Beauty, and many others had made their appearances in my childhood, but I could never truly relate to those characters. Everything was solved for them from the beginning, most of the time. Those princesses never had any flaws that could cause problems in the story; every conflict simply happened because of something or someone else. However, Tiana's story was different: she was a black woman in the 1920s, who was setting out to become an entrepreneur. Racism and sexism, neither of which I did understood at four years old, were stacked against her from the beginning. Despite it all, Tiana kept working hard to earn a way to open the restaurant of her dreams. Her determination kept her from relaxing and keeping friends, a main theme in the movie. Now more than ever, I relate to that mentality. More often than not, I find myself trying and working too hard and then refusing to take even the slightest break. Time and time again, Tiana is forced to break out of her shell, consider others' beliefs about life (for example: Ray's girl, Evangeline), and learn that it is an acceptable thing to take a break from working and enjoy the moment. Tiana is my favorite Disney character for many reasons. She actively fought against forces outside of her control with determination and logic, and refused to give in to the villain, though he offered her everything she wanted. Her emotions consisted of more than love and heartbreak; her motivations for achieving her goals were complex. Tiana genuinely cared about her family and friends and it showed. Finally, the character of Tiana was a hard worker. She inspired me to be the same way, especially when the odds stand tall against me.

Title: "The Society We Live In" I was told the future was at risk But I hope the disaster is just an eclipse So much to live for, so much taken for granted How did we end up here, so far from being candid? Money changes hands like a fish out of time Maybe these lines are more than a simple rhyme Double-edged sword, pen beset with stardust Humankind is rich in lies and violence but starved in true trust We all say one thing but mean another He was given another chance but he’ll never forgive her She said it was only a game, only a fling, they took it differently To them it was more than just casual proximity Everyone is trapped by their own ambitions Working hard all hours of the day only to fall to the dark again They can’t tell when enough is enough They find diamonds, but get stuck mining the useless rough “The end is here,” they say, too afraid to come near My friend, they've been saying that for at least two thousand years Why do we only care about saving life now I guess people have always been too concerned with being holier-than-thou The human condition has slowly been getting worse No one knows because of the media and its verse We fill our time with thirty seconds of nothing We say it's worth it, this video could be the next big thing Everyone and no one has opportunity We hope that even the slightest difference means immunity From the rejection and the crushing disappointment that always comes After doing your best, and you end up only being the receiver of the crumbs More often than not, the villain becomes the favorite of the story The hero is cast aside, though their armor shines in perfect glory Why? Because the hero is without flaws, and the villain has them all The villain is just like us, just another person caught lined up against the wall Call me pessimistic, call me a bitter pill Even the patriots of the early days doubted the General Will All I’m saying is we need to learn to care Discard the illusions of goodness, lay it all bare Maybe we can grow as a people, a people of the world Take care of each other, and watch as peace unfurls It’ll take patience, it’ll take trust But perhaps, with time, we can build a way up out of the dust

I love math for many reasons. It allows me to see how things work, from the simplest angles leading to victory in sports, to something as complex as seeing the first composite image of a black hole. I can use it to determine the outcome of almost all probabilities. I also use it to focus on the situation at hand, whether it be in a race, studying for exams, or just seeing how much an item will cost after tax. Math is one of the only constants that we can rely on. Science and languages are always changing, but math generally stays the same through thick and thin. For thousands of years, it has worked with and molded science, leading to today's technologies and ease of communication. I am constantly amazed by how much math can influence our daily lives, and reliably so. I love how I am able to figure out the exact distance between points A and B, as well as think about the calculations that have led us to be able to predict extreme weather, earthquakes, and solar flares with relatively no effort. I also love math because of the possibilities it holds for the future. Using math, we can calculate and configure different models that could allow us to use more sustainable energy, reach the furthest stars, and even more that no one has thought of yet. I hope that I can use math in the future to better the quality of life here on Earth, and beyond if the opportunity arises.

I am pursuing a degree in physics because I want to understand the world and the universe. Physics, ideally, would allow me to understand how things came to be and where they are headed. The degree would aid me in understanding how time and other abstract ideas, like quantum theory and dimensional theory, influence our daily lives here on Earth and in space. If physics did not work out, I would turn to an engineering major that would complement it, such as chemical or aerospace engineering. Chemical engineering would allow me to learn the basics of life on Earth, and then utilize this knowledge to help humankind for the better. Optimistically, I would help find ways to grow plant life and live in places previously thought to be uninhabitable, such as the Moon or Mars. On Earth, it would also help me create new medicines and treatments for disease. Aerospace engineering would let me design and operate the machines that would let us reach our interstellar neighbors. If all else fails, I could aid in the technological repairs for orbital equipment in space, such as satellites or on a space station. Diversity in the workplace is crucial in order to move forward into the future. Everyone wants to be included in something; it is one of the most basic instincts of human nature. Not only must we allow people who are different than us into our workplaces, but we must also make sure that they are welcomed with open arms and not excluded. The idea of diversity is not just centered about race, religion, or love; class is also an important thing to consider. People who live in cities or more stable economies often forget that poorer places and unstable economies exist, and thus limit the representation of these communities. These smaller, poorer communities lack the access to viable resources, but their ideas and opinions are still just as valuable as any of their larger or more stable counterparts. It is imperative to include all communities, regardless of what they believe in or where they come from. If we exclude even the smallest minority or community, we would be shutting out possible solutions to all kinds of problems. As a worker and consumer, I feel that it is very important to see and hear from every side of any issue, even for something as simple as deciding the theme for a homecoming dance.

My favorite scientific discovery was the first composite image of a black hole. I found it incredible that we could photograph the very thing that was said to capture and destroy light. It showed me how different angles were sometimes needed to create amazing results, and it takes time to get there as well. "Interstellar" is one of my favorite science fiction movies, and seeing a real black hole was surreal. To me, it was proof that we could move forward into possibly researching temporal dilation, wormholes, and many other topics and ideas explored by the movie in the future. Both the movie and the photograph also sparked my interest into the 'behind the scenes' of the exosphere; I began to think about more abstract concepts and possibilities for our future, as well as the future of the universe. It also jumpstarted my search into astronomically inclined careers; currently, I am looking into pursuing a physics degree, maybe even double-majoring in aerospace engineering with a minor in geophysics as well.

I want to pursue a career in STEM so I can create a better future for all who come after me. STEM opens the door for discovery and the betterment of humanity. I want to be able to discover new worlds and help us get there, whether it be through chemical or nuclear means of interstellar travel. Pursuing a degree in STEM means that I can make a difference on Earth as well. Here, I can find new ways to cure disease and engineer a pathway for the prevention of new, undiscovered ones as well. The protection of the environment is also attainable with a career in science. By examining groundwater, petroleum, and other substances within the earth, we can discover new energy sources that are cleaner for the environment and use them for longer. Science also permits the construction of materials that lets humanity travel further into the stars and see far into the past. We can now learn what the universe came from and where it's headed because of recent advancements in science. Technology, in this day and age, is now a necessity. It is used to learn, to build, and to create all kinds of wonderful things. Moreover, technology, when paired with math, can be used to interpret and predict both outcomes and data. These calculations are crucial to understanding how much of the universe works, from something as simple as the wheel to something as complex as gravitational pull and orbital radius. I would love to help configure these equations in my career, and help the top minds figure out the reasons behind everything. If not for discovery, then I would love to create something for the greater good. Whether it be a method to utilize energy more efficiently, a new invention, or even a new satellite or space station, I would want my efforts to be long-lasting and worthwhile for humanity. Unfortunately, there are obstacles that would prevent me from getting a degree in STEM. For example, women are often paid less than their male counterparts. With less of a salary, it is harder for women to pay off student debt, and they may be forced to drop out of the degree program that would help guarantee their success. Secondly, misogynism in the workplace prevents women from achieving the same success that men do. Some men believe women are inferior, and express this in the workplace. They doubt their female counterparts' contributions to the workplace, causing the women to doubt their own work and become dissatisfied with their efforts. Lastly, a problem that faces women pursuing a degree in STEM is access to resources and classism. For example, people who live in bigger cities and nations have unprecedented access to robotics, science programs, and other helpful tools to aid them in their prospective degrees. However, people who live in rural areas and poorer countries have little to no access to these tools and resources, putting them at an extreme disadvantage. How are women who desire to work in a STEM-centered field supposed to enter it when they don't have anything to help them get there? Rural women can go to the same institution as anyone from a higher-class city and be rejected because of their lack of experience in the field-- A field of which she had no access to. To make matters worse, some urban citizens of the world cannot imagine a life without this access, and thus do not pick the disadvantaged citizens of the world for acceptance to an institution or a job out of ignorance, or even prejudice against poorer communities.

One of my favorite pieces of art is The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, because of its whimsical swirls, color composition, and that sense of eerieness and tranquility that is not often seen in modern artworks. To me, The Starry Night shows us just how simple things can be when we take a step back from the "regular" world, filled with often grey scenery (for example, the town buildings in the painting). Vincent van Gogh used few colors on his paintings, but each time he did, they were very impactful. The deep blues and bright yellows contrast in such a way as to show how vibrant nature and the outside world can be-- but they can also display a deeper meaning. Blue is a color associated with feelings of serenity, focus, and a sensation of calm, but it is also tied to sadness. Yellow, on the other hand, is a color of energy and joy, as well as caution. I interpreted this combination in a couple of ways: first, the masses of blue featured across the nighttime sky can instill calm, as opposed to the bright splash of red on the church building. A feeling of sadness can also be interpreted by the very same blues because of the bright stars featured in the painting. Finally, it had been said, "Reach for the stars, and if you fail, you'll still end up on the moon." I believe the painting's composition may fit this quote. In The Starry Night, the moon is much larger than any of the stars. This could symbolize that it is easy to reach only for big dreams, but it's easier still to reach a midpoint that would help one get to the biggest dreams and not risk everything.