To me, civil engineering means providing critical infrastructure to all human beings, because everyone deserves to have their basic needs met. Adequate water and wastewater treatment, transportation, safety, and structures literally shape the way that we live. And how we create and maintain that infrastructure could shape the future of the environment and our global society. A couple years ago I found myself trudging through ankle-deep mud in rural, jungly Argentina serving the people there. As I walked home from one of our dear friends' home, I couldn't help but feel disheartened. It was a family; parents and three small children, literally living in a wooden shack built on stilts to avoid damage from flooding. There were no doors, just sheets. A tin roof covering their heads. And that is when I realized how important infrastructure is, and how few people have access to so many of the luxuries that I enjoy. I think that day is when I shifted my focus from architecture to engineering. Anyone can draw pretty pictures, but not everyone can make them safe and buildable. I want to bring structures to life and provide safety and security to all, particularly the marginalized communities. I have always been interested in buildings, and that hasn't changed. I have simply found the purpose I was seeking in my major. Over time, I have struggled greatly with feelings of self-doubt. In high school I leaned toward architecture because I didn't believe I was smart enough to be an engineer. After every exam I take, I still wonder the same. On top of that, I get the occasional comment from family or friends in regards to my career choice. "Any girl who chooses to do engineering is pretty crazy weird." "Are you sure you want to do engineering?" "If I were a girl I would...." "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?" My own father told me I should consider not doing graduate school. Not to mention being a minority in all of my classes. Sometimes I find myself not being heard in group projects. Dating is difficult when everyone is intimidated by you. And the off comments only magnify the creeping self-doubt and imposter syndrome that perpetually stain the backdrop of my mind. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue what I want to study, though biases unfortunately still line the classrooms. Nevertheless, I have always been a go-getter. When I decide what I want, I follow through. I know what I want to accomplish, and I will do what it takes to get me there. It feels as though everything in my life has led me to this point. From playing Minecraft and LEGO as a kid, to getting my Revit certification in high school, to the time I spent in Argentina, to the classes and internships and clubs I am involved in now. I want to create infrastructure that will benefit individuals and families for generations. I want to make the world a better place. And a career like that is worth any cost to me. So I will continue to take exams and apply to graduate school and build my portfolio. I will become who I need to become to serve those who do not have the advantages that I have had. Thank you.

"Are you sure you're in the right major? Maybe engineering is too hard for you." Those words struck me to the core. In all honesty, my structural engineering has not been an easy one. The coursework is rigorous and exhausting, and I am constantly confronted with being a minority in my field. Some days it all feels like it's too much, especially when colleagues, family, and peers let such comments slip. I begin to tell myself that maybe it is too hard. That being said, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I have to pursue my higher education and to do something that I feel matters. Structural engineering is more than just a major for me; it is a passion. Luckily, despite the opposition from others as well as from my own mind, I have had several female role models in my life that inspire me to keep going and to do what I love. I think anyone who wishes to find purpose needs to have someone in their life that can show them what having purpose really means. It is grueling work, but it is so rewarding. When my own mind becomes a minefield of self deprecation and doubt, I simply remember my role models and all they have achieved. It helps me find the desire to keep going when it gets tough. My own mother, my coworker, and several professors have instilled a sense of determination in me that I cannot seem to let go. Another step that has helped me overcome adversity has been to keep myself organized. With schedules, lists, and calendars, I minimize the hassles of daily life and protect against forgetting important things. This decreases my stress levels and helps me stay on track at work or university, even when everything else may feel out of control. Finally, I have found that there is no substitute for hard work. We hear so often phrases such as "I wish I had time to work out," or "I wish I was better at...." These phrases are simply not true. If you truly wish to do something or be better at something, then you make time for it. Engineering is important to me, and I want to get better at it. Therefore, I give my all in my studies and spend time getting the help I need. I am currently finishing up a summer internship where I got to draft and engineer real projects, a position I never could have had without attending career fairs, polishing my resume, and getting my foot in the door. When the going gets tough, I remind myself that being a structural engineer will help me make a difference in the world. It is my top-goal so to speak. When I am able to see my career aspirations in this light, it feeds my motivations and gives me the power to break through any opposition I may be facing. Perhaps most importantly, I know who I am. I know what I am to achieve. And despite the catcalls, physical and emotional exhaustion, rigorous studies and work hours, and people generally telling me what I should or should not do, I know where I am headed. I am a proud woman in STEM, and I cannot wait to make the world's infrastructure better.

I don't really swim. In fact, I'm probably quite awkward to watch. That being said, I personally believe the most exciting USA athlete to watch is the one and only Katie Ledecky. Every one of her races this year had me absolutely enthralled. She is the most decorated US female in history. Can we appreciate that for a moment? That is not necessarily inherent talent either, but years and years of grueling training and painstaking races. She has put in the miles and it shows. In a book I am currently reading about the importance of passion and perseverance, Katie Ledecky is mentioned as a paragon of both. Ever since she was a child she was racing. She told her parents it was hard, but she kept getting back in the pool with a smile. And although I am not a swimmer, I think the same applies to anyone seeking to apply themselves to a passion or a calling. You keep at it. You keep going. Because what you do matters. Katie Ledecky is also incredibly inspiring to me because she is the top woman in her field. As a woman in Civil Engineering, a field which is dominated by men, I appreciate female role models like Katie that push me to achieve my goals and do what I love. Every time I watch the Olympics I encounter a newfound desire to reach for the stars. In this world, I feel like I am constantly being pushed around and being told what I should or should not pursue. Comments such as: "Engineering is too hard for you.", "Are you sure you're in the right major?", "The Foo Fighters are too loud for you.", "Don't wear that.", and numerous catcalls can often be discouraging. But it's the people like Katie Ledecky that remind me to embrace who I am and to not let anyone or anything get in the way of achieving what I have set out to do. So thank you, Katie Ledecky, for being such a huge role model for girls like me across the nation. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

A child at heart. We often hear the phrase, but to me it is one of the sincerest compliments a person can receive. As I have grown into a young adult, I've noticed that the world has a way of squeezing the life out of you. The pressures of school, work, relationships, change, comparison, health, global issues, and everything in between is constantly rushing around us, available constantly from tiny rectangles in our pockets. However, I have always been able to find solace and even an escape in books. They inspire me, teach me, and keep me young at heart. They keep me going. There is nothing quite like being lost in the pages of a book in your hands. One of the first books to really latch onto my young mind was "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling. Perhaps it is childish, but I would invite everyone to read the book and then the series. Doing so invites a little bit magic back into your life. Harry Potter holds such fond memories for me. A little part of me still hopes it isn't too late for my letter to Hogwarts to arrive. And that is exactly the purpose of such literature. It is created to inspire. To keep us young. To keep us imagining. I am an engineer. However, I greatly enjoy using the creative parts of my brain. Fictional and fantastical media keeps me hopeful and pushes me to explore what I may not have otherwise been brave enough to do. Books such as Harry Potter invite relationships with characters that do not exist. However, I often find myself relating with them and learning more about who I am as well. I would argue that reading a book such as Harry Potter can make you a better person. In conclusion, although fictional, books such as Harry Potter provide us the solace and magic we need to get through our day to day lives. I am forever grateful for the talented minds of authors across the globe who know just how to tickle my brain and pull my heart strings in ways that push me to keep learning and becoming.

Although it seems an impossible feat to choose just one single technology to be excited about in our coming future, I decided to bring up one that is becoming increasingly applicable not only in my industry but in many industries. That technology is virtual reality. Now, when I say virtual reality, many would jump to online gaming, or perhaps some scenes from the movie Ready Player One come to mind. However, there are so many applicable uses for virtual reality, and we've only just scratched the surface. For example, I would like to be an architect. There are a lot of technologies evolving in the architectural and engineering design industry, such as Computer-Aided Design and many different programs. But virtual reality is relatively new. Lately, people have been uploading building designs into virtual reality, so that when a client or manager or anyone at all wants to see the progress of the build, they are now able to throw on a headset and walk through the building like normal, but are able to see exactly what the finished design will look like. This is becoming increasingly useful, as project managers and designers are able to catch flaws and mistakes before any building actually happens. Being able to walk through a building before it has even been built is revolutionary. And that isn't the only area virtual reality is impacting. Virtual reality training is now being implemented in the military to give recruits a taste of what a real battlefield or mission will look like so that they are more prepared. It is also being used to treat post-traumatic stress and other mental health struggles through therapy. In a select few medical fields, students are able to practice surgeries in virtual reality, rather than taking a chance on an actual patient. Some developers are even working on a virtual reality headset that can actually help improve impaired vision. Since I've been wearing glasses since third grade, you can imagine that one is pretty exciting to me. Beyond even the medical fields, there are also many educational applications, especially if schools continue to be impacted by the pandemic. So evidently, there are dozens and dozens of exciting new ways we can use virtual reality, and who knows? Maybe in the near future, virtual reality will become as mainstream as a cell phone.

If I have to pick just one, I suppose my favorite book is currently Oathbringer from the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. He is easily my favorite author, and this whole series is absolutely phenomenal. In fact, all his books are stunning. There are a thousand and one reasons to love this book, but since I am limited to 300 words, I'll do my best to consolidate. It would be impossible to explain the plot here and do it justice, however, Sanderson's masterful writing conveys beautiful character development, especially for one of the main characters, Shallan. She must come to terms with her two other personalities and it's intriguing to watch them blur together throughout the book. Sanderson also does an excellent job of portraying Kaladin's depression and fear of being unable to protect those he loves. Each character lives their own story amidst essentially the beginning of the end of the world...again. The final fight was magnificent and wrapped up the story quite nicely. It brought me to tears in multiple instances. On a technical level, the novel is perfectly written. It addresses complex issues and developments so well, and the worldbuilding is once again present in this book as in the others. When Sanderson writes a book, he doesn't just write a book...he writes a world. He writes an experience. Sanderson brings you on an astounding fantasy journey that leaves you craving more. He continues to blow me away with the level of detail taken in his wonderful books.

Serving a mission could not have been further in my mind...that is, until this past April. You see, I am planning to attend Brigham Young University this fall, and I had so many plans! I knew exactly what I wanted my first semester to look like. I got housing, a roommate, toured campus a couple of times, picked out classes and dorm room decor, and everything else you could possibly need to do to be prepared for your first real college semester. I recently graduated with two associate's degrees when I graduated high school, so I knew I would need to be as ready as possible because I wouldn't have as many general education requirements to complete while I figured out what I wanted to do. As you can see, a mission was not included in those plans. This brings me to April. Every year, twice a year, my church holds a global general conference, where our church leaders speak and it is broadcast to everyone and anyone across the whole world in tons of languages. Well, during the second talk, I received this overwhelming feeling that I needed to serve a mission. I knew that feeling was from God, so I started to switch gears. I will now be serving a mission starting January of 2022. I love my church, and I would be extremely lost without it. The gospel brings me more joy than anything else, and to be able to share that joy is a privilege to me. In attending mission preparation classes, I have come to be even more excited than I was before! I get to serve people and serve God, and there is nothing on this earth better than that. In my church, missionaries do not get to choose where they serve or what language they speak, as that is a decision for God to make. I have faith and trust that He will put me where I need to be. However, if I could choose, I believe it would be very cool to serve in Europe, or go somewhere in the United States speaking Spanish (I've been learning Spanish for 12 years). But wherever I go, I know the Lord needs me there, and I am so excited! It is a sacrifice to donate one and a half years of my life that I had so planned out, but I know that it is the right decision.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a religious leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints once said "Rise up and become the person you were designed to be." During my high school years, I struggled, just like any other student. However, this quote became a massive motivation and source of light in my life. Rather than letting myself sink into despair and self-pity, I kept this quote in mind. I slowly began changing, for myself, not for anyone else. I realized that I love myself, and I want to be the best version of myself, so there is no need for me to impress anyone or try to conform to the "normal" teenage stereotype. I can be spontaneous and have tons of fun while still holding to my standards, beliefs, and goals. This year especially, I was able to be at peace with myself and who I am as an individual, even in the midst of high school drama, a pandemic, and finally graduating with not only a high school diploma but two associate's degrees.

Quality is intentional. When something is high quality, it is not by accident, but rather it is the product of hard work, prior trial and error, good intentions, and first and foremost, effort. Quality requires a degree of intelligence and professionalism or skill. To me, quality is about so much more than the project or the client; it's about the journey you take to get to the final product. It's about the details and the care and the effort that you put into the final product. It starts with the intent, but eventually, the final product becomes more than an idea, it becomes a tangible, and if done right, high quality, product. Now we get to my personal life. My trade of choice is architectural design. Ever since my sophomore year of high school, I've wanted to be an architect. I am currently pursuing a trade certificate in the Architectural and Engineering Design program at my local technical college, and I am almost finished. I am already certified in the Revit software that is so commonly used in my industry. Essentially, my experience is what lends me the tools to give quality to my work. Just about anyone can figure out how to model a room with four walls, a floor, and a roof, but not just anyone can design a beautiful, multi-level, 30,000 square foot beach house to go on a site in San Diego, which is what I am currently working on in my program. I've modeled a warehouse, college campus building, a law firm, several homes, and more. I am also familiar with ADA standards, safety codes for things like stairs, where windows are required and where they aren't, and much, much more. I am patient with my process. The design process is full of trial and error, and my first design is rarely my final design. It takes a lot of sketches, models, schedules, and more, to finally come to a quality design that I am proud of. And the final design is more than a 3D model, as so many assume. I make elevation plans, floor plans, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical plans, egress plans, schedules, and more. Should the project already have an existing structure that I am adding onto, I also know how to create demolition and renovation plans using phasing. All of these things combined are what make a quality project, and I try to never skimp on details. In conclusion, it is my patience, perseverance, and experience that allows me to bring quality to each of my designs. Of course, creativity doesn't hurt either, as you don't want every building you design to be the same. I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to pursue my career of choice through a technical college, and I can't wait to receive my trade certificate!

Maybe I'm biased, but my favorite artist is my aunt Kathryn. She is the most talented musician I've ever met and has taught me everything I know about guitar. Although I have plans to be an architect and not a musician, I have learned so much about overcoming anxiety and failure, perseverance, faith and hope, and the value of hard work from Kat. Her crippling anxiety was a huge struggle for her throughout her life, but she has been able to overcome it and still performs with her band today, which has been a huge motivation and comfort in my life.

Avatar the Last Airbender was one of my favorite shows as a kid, and I'm not the least bit embarrassed to say that I've rewatched it now. But this meme means more to me than just a kid's show that's awesome. My whole life I've been underestimated for one thing or another. I'm a 96-pound blonde girl for crying out loud. People tend to make assumptions about me before they know my true value, which is a simple human reaction (I make assumptions about people too, we can't help it). For example, I am blonde, but I certainly don't fit the dumb stereotype. I'll be graduating high school with two associate's degrees and a certificate of proficiency in Spanish. This year especially I have really come to terms with who I am, and I no longer care about what other people think. I want to be myself because I love myself. So even though I may look like a silly kid's show on the outside, my value is much more precious than that, and I know it, even if no one else does.

To choose one film would be like asking me to choose between my siblings. I am a massive movie geek, from Jurassic to La La Land, if you're looking for someone to watch a movie with, I'm your gal. That being said, the Marvel Cinematic Universe definitely contains some of my favorite films of all time. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a superhero. I've read the comics and theories, and I am extremely invested. I find it so incredible that the Russo brothers have been able to create nearly two dozen films that not only follow the comics really well but also bring my favorite characters to life. And if you think that's impressive, each movie is connected to create an even bigger storyline! Spider-Man has always been my favorite, so I was thrilled when they announced Homecoming and later Far From Home. With the recently announced title of Spider-Man: No Way Home and all the hype and theories surrounding it, I wouldn't be surprised if this December that film becomes my all-time favorite. They've really done an excellent job with each and every Marvel movie. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe evolve, and I cannot wait for what comes next!

In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "If life were predictable it would cease to be life. And be without flavor." I wholeheartedly agree. We cannot predict everything in life, and frankly, life would be quite boring if we could. That being said, I don't think any of us were quite prepared for 2020. I was a junior when the lockdown was put in place. This means that the end of my junior year, my whole summer, and all of my senior year have now been moved onto a virtual platform. No dances, no activities, no friends, no school, no church. Essentially, I no longer left my house. This was incredibly difficult for me, as I know it was difficult for many others. We've done our best to compensate, doing virtual activities and getting together in groups of less than 10 outdoors when it's warm enough. My school even started doing some in-person classes. Although all of this nearly drove me crazy, I learned a lot of things. First, I was actually given time to do the things I always wanted to. I got back into working out, painting, writing music, and more. I am also so thankful for this time I was given with my family. I will be leaving for college, possibly out of state, and I had many precious moments with my parents and brothers thanks to the lockdown that I wouldn't trade for anything. I also learned that there were a lot of toxic people in my life that I didn't miss. I was able to cut ties with them and move on to a greater sense of self-love. I learned that I don't need anyone to tell me I'm worthy because I already know that I am worthy. I don't need to act like someone I'm not because I love who I am. This has also pushed me to decide which college I'm going to not based on where my friends are going, but where I will be the most successful. Finally, I learned how much faster online school is. In the future, I will definitely be taking more online classes, as I can breeze through the material much faster than sitting in a class. Of course, some classes are very difficult online as they require more hands-on learning. But because of this, I've been able to find more of a balance in my academic work. All in all, 2020 is a year I will never forget, and a year I hope none of us will have to repeat. However, I think the greatest thing I learned is that even in the darkest of times, we can still find things to be positive about. The world has such a great need for light, and we all have such a capacity for spreading goodness. As 2021 presses forward, it's my hope that we can all be a little more loving, and a little more positive, so that we can have a much-needed fantastic year.

I've had the opportunity to serve as a senior judge at my local youth court. Youth court is this fantastic program that allows us to give kids my age and younger a second chance at life. Rather than being referred to juvenile court, minor crimes in the area get referred to youth court, so long as the youth is eighteen or younger. We see the youth, hear their story as well as the parents' sides, read the police report, and then deliberate on a disposition. Dispositions always include community service and letters of apology to the parties involved, but often also include writing essays on personalized topics regarding the crime, taking online courses on topics such as vaping or arson, getting grades up to at least passing, a choices class that my peers and I teach, working for restitution, and much, much more. Of course, each disposition is slightly different, based on the level the youth is at and the crime committed. The best part about youth court is that if the youth completes our requirements, the crime is taken off their record, and they are literally given a second chance. By having a criminal record at all, you subject yourself to all sorts of disadvantages and criticisms, all for a dumb decision you made in your youth. This is the best form of service I've found because I get to help youth in my area and really feel like I make a difference in my community. I hope to continue to make a positive impact on my community for the next few months until I leave for college. Then I'll have a new community to get to know! By helping kids solve their problems, learn, and make better decisions, I am not only improving their quality of life, but I am also setting them up for success and a much brighter future. I've watched youth really change and desire to become better contributing members of society. Through my actions, I also teach others to stay out of trouble, thereby decreasing crime in my area. Overall, this has been an incredible opportunity for me to climb the ladder of leadership as I've gone from bailiff to judge to clerk to senior judge. I have become a much better person as I've strived to help others and make better decisions myself. I still have so much to learn and do, but this has been a great way for me to get started in giving back to my community.

This winter, I hiked a canyon near my house with some friends. This particular canyon has switchbacks, steep inclines, and occasionally no path where you simply cross the river on rocks or grip the face of the rock wall, praying you don't stumble and fall. Because we went in the winter, on top of all those challenges, there were parts where it was pure ice, which was wildly slippery, and my friend Nick nearly slid all the way down to the river. Needless to say, we all survived, and the frozen waterfall at the top was well worth the struggle.

Firefighters. We need them. We love and support them. They are heroes. However, for forest firefighters, there is a ket piece of technology that has not been changed in (wait for it)...18 years. I am 18 years old. In 2013, 19 heroic frontline forest firefighters were setting up barriers in Arizona to contain a horrendous fire. 19 firefighters that made up 20% of the entire department's force. Had their fire tents been more up to date, all 19 could have survived. The piece of technology I refer to, known as "fire tents" may not seem crucial at first...or at least, not until the fire is upon you. Fire tents are essentially the very last resort for a forest firefighter. As an example, say a firefighter or group of firefighters gets trapped by some fallen, flaming trees. Forest fires can get up to nearly 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, there is no conceivable way to escape the fire, so they are left with the fire tents. Firefighters have been trained to unpack and get in their tents, on the ground, very quickly. However, the issue is that they don't always work properly, and sometimes they are unable to outlast a fire's heat or length. The materials can only last so long before melting. My dad used to be a forest firefighter, and at trainings they often have fire tent survivors come and tell their stories. They believe they will die because of the heat and the noises of their friends around them, dying. No one should ever have to go something such as this, trained or not. On that solemn note, how can we improve a technology no one has been able to for 18 years? I'm glad you asked. Firefighters typically carry around 25 pounds in their backpacks, and any more than that could slow them down to the point of no return. A typical fire tent weighs around 3-4 pounds, so the improved one cannot be any heavier than that, and lighter would be preferable. The materials should be able to withstand temperatures of very very high temperatures, preferably around 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, or the firefighter will be burned alive. The materials must also have a certain fire rating. This idea comes from commercial building walls, where specific walls are built with materials that won't be burned through for a certain amount of time, usually one or two hours. The other thing to keep in mind is that the inside of the tent has to get to hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as that is about how much heat a human body can take without dying. However, by improving these details, we may be able to save countless firefighters, such as those 19 that courageously lost their lives. Ultimately, this is a massive task. It will not be easy to rework a design that has been so difficult to improve. However, if we really want to support our local and national firefighters, this is the way to do it. Allow them to come home another night to see their families. Allow them to continue living full lives; heaven knows they deserve it. If there is any problem the Mechanism should try to tackle, I believe it's this one.

My grandma lived through 9/11, the Vietnam War, religious turmoil, a service mission to Malaysia, and much, much more. She has been such a powerful influence in my life because although she is timid, her work does not go unnoticed. I would argue that hundreds of people have been profoundly touched through her influence. As a little girl, I thought she was the coolest person ever because she made the best food, and everyone always told me I was a lot like her. As I've grown up, I've realized that there is much more to my incredible grandma than just good food. My grandma never hesitates to serve, compliment, and make you smile. She is one of the kindest souls I've ever had the pleasure to come in contact with. Recently I did an interview with her on her life for my history class. Hearing those stories, the ones she's so reserved about was very eye-opening. From her history, I have devoted myself to becoming more like her. I too want to be selfless, caring, wise, and talented as she. I wish to be an architect. This requires a lot of training, patience, and good people skills. My grandma never stops learning new recipes, never stops studying scripture, and never stops increasing her wisdom in general. As for patience, she is one of the most patient people I know. She is always kind, I have never seen her snap at anyone. By carrying these traits into my career field as an architect, I will be able to not only do my job better but increase overall productivity and uplift my fellow employees. Perhaps most importantly, I've learned that even for good people, life is never easy. But that does not mean I should ever give up on my dreams. Thank you, grandma, for making me who I am today.

I recently wrote a novella that my friends loved. To me, writing is a fun, fulfilling, and educational pastime, because I not only improve my writing skills but also do tons of research on various topics pertaining to the story. Watching people read my stories is always very satisfying as well. I'd love to continue writing short, fictional stories to share. Unlike the internet, I do my best to keep my stories somewhat accurate, as far as logistics go. So far I've only written original stories my friends and I have come up with through our theoretical debates. It's been very entertaining! Here is an excerpt from my latest story on time travel, sentient characters, and magic (I was unable to use italics): Zoe caught Ty up on everything she knew so far. She didn’t exactly trust Kyler, she felt like he wasn’t telling her everything, but could she trust that feeling? What if it was the author putting those emotions into her head? She didn’t know what to trust anymore. She was itching to get started on getting out of the book, but Kyler still hadn’t contacted her again. It had been four days. Kyler? Are you there? It’s been more than a day. No reply. Irritated, Zoe decided to take a walk to the grocery store. She needed to stock up on Lucky Charms, milk, and bread. She picked up everything she needed and paid. No sooner had she left the store when she felt Kyler’s presence join her again. About time, she snapped. Sorry I’ve been busy. You’re not the only character in this book you know. Well? What do we do? Ok, I’ve seen your time machine, and I think we can modify it to get us out of here. I know how to build it, don’t ask me how. The plans are part of me. What if...what if the author wants us to kill them? Now what kind of person sets out to make other people kill them? That’s just sick. I know, but isn’t it weird that you were able to appear to Ty and me, and that you automatically know the plans? Look, Zoe, I don’t know, maybe they do want us to kill them, but I do know that I want to get out of this book. If we have to play by the author’s rules then so be it.

W.E.B. Du Bois once said, "The chief problem in any community cursed with crime is not the punishment of criminals, but the preventing of the young from being trained to crime." Juvenile delinquency (as well as any delinquency) is a growing problem across the world. I've seen the devastating impacts of delinquency on youth, and how detrimental it can be to their futures. I would love to see more preventative measures implemented to aid youth, rather than harm them. For the past couple of years, I've volunteered weekly at my local youth court. I've worked my way up to being a senior judge, and I love how I get to truly make a difference in my community. We are able to read police reports and hear the youth's side of the story before deliberating on a disposition that will actually help them learn and recognize their mistakes. If we could implement more programs like youth court, rather than tossing youth into a broken system, we could make a real difference in the futures of so many young people. Ultimately, our country and even the world would be a much better place because of it. Studies have shown that the juvenile justice system often makes crime rates and incarceration rates higher, particularly the "scare them straight" program. There is so much reform necessary to improve the experience youth have and prompt them to be better people. Youth court is an incredible experience that I am grateful to be a part of. I've seen the changes in youth firsthand, and I know that I make a difference. There is so much to be done, but even being a small part of youth court allows me to feel included and make an impact, albeit a small one, on my peers.

Given the year we've had, I think it's safe to say things will never go "back to normal." Rather, we will adapt to a new normal in our post-pandemic society. STEM occupations are not only useful, but critical in this process of change. Life goes on, despite the many challenges we've faced, and STEM careers help life to go on smoother. As we've already seen, each STEM aspect has become increasingly important in a society where people have been quarantined. School, church services, and work have been adapted to virtual platforms. As for science, how could we forget those medical geniuses and scientist who labored so diligently on a vaccine? In the mathematics world, math was used to predict the number of cases and other statistics in order to keep people informed and safe. Finally, it was engineering expertise that helped create innovative designs for masks, ventilators, thermometers, vaccines, saliva tests, and so much more. STEM has aided us through the pandemic, and our work is far from over. Though we have a vaccine now, the world will never be the same, and it will require more innovative solutions from STEM occupations in the adaptation process. We will likely still rely on virtual technology quite a bit, and there are new strains of COVID, which will require more work to counteract. There are always more problems to solve, and thanks to STEM, we have the tools and capability to solve them.

Architecture is not only creative, but each detail seems to be a feat of engineering. I love architecture, and I wish to pursue it in college. I have found purpose in creating designs through CAD softwares, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Inventor. Designing new and improved buildings through the design process has been exciting and fun for me, and I would absolutely love to make it my career.