Ciao! My name is Christopher (Chris) Eckel, and I am from the large town of Piscataway, New Jersey. While some may argue that central New Jersey doesn't exist, I can tell you firsthand it does, and it is home to some of the best outdoor experiences of my life. I love the outdoors, specifically on bike trails, or while on other small adventures. Aside from having a passion for the outdoors and the wilderness, I take a strong liking to science and mathematics, including an understanding of everything around me and how it all works and exists. My love and passion for math and the sciences plays perfectly into one of my favorite hobbies: drag racing. I attended my first drag race when I was less than one month old, and I haven't stopped since. I travel with my parents up and down the east coast every summer to get to the biggest events of the year and occasionally leave with the trophy. Being at the race track is where my interest in STEM was sparked, and as an older person now, I have learned to appreciate the diversity of all the cars and engine combinations. What makes me a great candidate for the consideration of these scholarships is that I cannot stress enough how much I enjoy pushing the people around me to new heights, as well as pushing myself. I was always told that if you want to accomplish something great in life, you have to work for it. Furthermore, I've always told myself that being average is to be another brick in the wall, but to be bold and unconquered is to be a pioneer and innovator of the future.

• Team Member (including working in the deli, brewing coffee, and cleaning).

  Food & Beverages · QuickChek

  Jan 2019 – Jan 2019

• Checkout Advocate (Cashier), and Guest Advocate (Guest Services Desk).

  Retail · Target

  Jan 2019 – Present

• Crew Member

  Automotive · Eckel Motorsports

  Jan 2002 – Present

• Advocacy
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• Baseball

  Varsity · 2 awards

  2018 – Present

  Awards:

  Rookie of the year, 2020 Captain

• Football

  Club

  2016 – Present

• Roller Hockey

  Intramural

  2014 – Present

• Baseball

  Club · 2 awards

  2014 – 2019

  Awards:

  All-Tournament Pitching Award, All-Tournament Batting Award

• Volunteer

  Lower Raritan Watershed partnership · Environmental Chemistry and Sustainability

  2018 – Present

  Research topic:

  Contaminated water sources

• Student/Observer

  Eckel Motorsports · Mechanical Engineering

  2007 – Present

  Research topic:

  Engines/Cumbustion

• Student Researcher

  Mrs. Lollin’s AP Statistics Class · Statistics

  2019 – Present

  Research topic:

  AP Statistics Material

• Student Researcher

  Stevens Institute of Technology · Environmental Engineering

  2019 – 2019

  Research topic:

  Causes and Preventions of Water Pollution

• Student Sculptor

  High School Elective · Ceramics

  2018 – 2019

  Productions:

  pinch pots, clay sculptures

• Computer Graphics Student

  High School Elective · Computer Art

  2016 – 2017

  Productions:

  Logos, Photoshop experience

• Cleanup personnel

  Volunteering · Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership

  2018 – Present

  Mission:

  Help clean local streams and rivulets, and keep waterways unblocked.

• Food distribution

  Volunteering · Piscataway High School Booster Club

  2016 – 2020

  Mission:

  Provide food for wrestlers during the county tournament.

• Coach/Support

  Volunteering · Piscataway Little League

  2015 – 2019

  Mission:

  Assist special needs children during their baseball games at the little league fields.

• Donor

  Advocacy · Piscataway Baseball Team

  2016 – Present

  Mission:

  Raise funds for the baseball team at the high school.

• Donor

  Advocacy · Piscataway Soccer Team

  2018 – Present

  Mission:

  Raise funds for the soccer team at the high school.

• Helper

  Volunteering · Piscataway Township Buddy Ball

  2019 – Present

  Mission:

  Provide special needs kids with an enjoyable sports related experience.