I would easily choose Erica, Dustin, and Steve. I feel as though this might be an unpopular opinion but I feel as though all these characters have skills and weaknesses that balance each other out. Steve is a little hard-headed but he cares about his teammates a lot. Erica is sassy but bright, she notices things as soon as they pop up and she is quick with her responses. Dustin is the opposite, he doesn't notice things immediately but give him some alone time to plan, he'll figure everything out and come up with a strategic and well-thought-out plan, missing nothing. Steve and Dustin work well together and Erica seems to get along with the two of them the best. I feel as though this trio is extremely resourceful and although Eleven has powers, I think she sometimes lacks the thought process so the group I decided seems like a power group that could dominate easily. I also think they're extremely entertaining and the one liners keep coming from them. They handle stressful situations with humor and positive minds and I think that's the best way to go about stressful situations. If you can't handle stress with positivity, a lot of people tend to crack under pressure.

I am writing to express my interest in this scholarship and to share with you my journey, aspirations, and how this scholarship will aid in my dreams of pursuing a degree in Marine Biology. Growing up, I developed a profound curiosity and love for nature and wildlife. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be involved in animal care but I had never quite known how. I grew up wanting to learn about nature, and thriving in science classes. I donated money to animal shelters, and animal organizations and was constantly looking to volunteer at Zoos. This early passion was only amplified when I entered high school. Starting strong in my freshman year, I took a school trip to the Salish seas in Washington. On this trip, we visited Oyster farms, cleaned up a microplastic spill, learned about Salmon, prepared a habitat for an endangered butterfly species, and went whale watching. Seeing a pod of Orcas with my own eyes is what launched my interest in Marine Biology. After that trip, I decided to fill my schedule with science classes, taking four of them in my junior year. I co-taught a high school Marine Biology class, leading a trip to Catalina Island Marine Institute, spending a week learning about micromarine biology, mammals, sharks, ecology, oceanography, and got to go snorkeling. Later that school year I got to take a trip to Belize and spent the week volunteering at the Belize Zoo and snorkeling in the Belize barrier reef. These experiences solidified my decision to pursue a degree in Marine Biology, as I recognized the critical need for dedicated scientists to study and protect our oceans. Choosing Marine Biology was an extension of my lifelong interests and a response to the urgent environmental challenges we face. The ocean covers over 70% of our planet's surface and plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining society. Yet, it is under significant threat from pollution, climate change, and overfishing. By pursuing a degree in Marine Biology, I aim to contribute to the understanding and preservation of marine ecosystems, ensuring they remain resilient for future generations. After graduation, I aspire to work in tropical conservation, conducting research that aims to educate society on what they can do to help. I am interested in studying the impacts of climate change on coral reef environments and developing restoration techniques to help these vital ecosystems recover. Ultimately, my goal is to work with organizations to implement conservation initiatives on a global scale, promoting practices that balance human needs with the health of our oceans.

Community has become one of the most important things in my life. Growing up in a K-12 school, I was raised in a big community full of people from all sorts of backgrounds. We were taught that all are equal. Students learn from teachers just as much as teachers learn from students. Everyone has a voice, everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to teach. The world is our oyster and we are never done learning and creating a community. From a young age I struggled with a balance of being overly empathetic, or overly cold towards people. It was always one or the other. I either made friends super easily, or upset people very easily. This was always something that upset me and I would try to play cool and act like it didn't bother me when I had no friends. Turns out, having no friends is exactly what I needed to learn and grow into a kind person. I struggled a lot my sophomore year. I had lost every person I called friend due to making dumb decisions. I was struggling in school, lost all trust with my parents and was just lost with who I was. I thought that was it for me, that is how I would spend the rest of my life- friendless. I decided to make a switch between advisors at school and that was just the move I needed to make. My new advisor had shown me patience and trust and kindness even though I was struggling and everything started going uphill. I had many talks with my advisor about my situation, and they guided me to search for healthy relationships outside of drama. I have grown to appreciate humble relationships and not search for trouble. Through struggles and darkness I was able to find healthy relationships that taught me to be kind, patient and express my gratitude. Since then, I have been able to pursue my dreams and goals as well as maintain relationships that are healthy for both sides. I've helped co teach a high school and middle school marine biology class, I've led a trip to Washington, helped my best friend move to California, volunteered in Belize, the Pine Ridge reservation and Washington. I have learned to act out of love instead of out of spite, and I have made meaningful connections within my community. I have a strong support system throughout the world consisting of peers, family, mentors, advisors, teachers and friends. I hope this essay has gone to show that and my dedication to my community, as well as the journey I've gone through to get here.

I am lucky to go to a school that strives to create a community outside of the immediate community that is our family, friends, school, and state. From an early age, my school urged us to travel, bringing us on multiple camping trips every year, and taking us on field trips where we learned to volunteer, ask questions, and dive into hands-on learning. Growing up with morals that taught us community matters has made it so easy to want to get involved in my community. From exploring the Salish Seas, working at a marine institute in California, volunteering at the Pine Ridge Reservation, exploring the museums in Paris, and working with the communities in Belize, I have learned more and more how impactful it is to travel and get involved with communities and cultures that aren't your own. I am so lucky to be able to say I have connections all over the place due to volunteering, traveling, and exchange programs and this privilege is something I want to implicate into other's lives. From a young age, I have worked towards being involved in my community- donating to shelters, volunteering in younger classes at school, and recently planning and teaching a trip to California. I never go into these experiences expecting a new friend or mentor but that is how it always turns out. The greatest example of this would be when I went to California with no connections and left with one of my biggest mentors yet. One week at Catalina Island Marine Institute provided me with an inspiration for college and a connection I still utilize to this day. Similar experiences can be found throughout my entire life, a few examples including the science teacher who has supported me, guided me and taught me everything I need. The zoologist in Belize who came from volunteering with no college education. The whale-watching guide in Washington who taught me about my first passion, whales. The snorkeling guide in Belize who sparked my interest in toxic skincare and its effects on coral. The kid in Pine Ridge that showed me what it meant to be strong, empathetic and pursue your dreams. The hotel owner in Paris who taught me that language doesn't always have to be a barrier. The junior I met my freshman year who later on inspired me to learn about microplastic levels in the water. I hope those experiences have appropriately showcased how I have engaged in my community and strived to make an impact. My goal for my future is to create a positive impact on our coral reefs and I believe that because of my education and passion, I will get there. This scholarship would help to aid me in that dream, providing me with a boost that I have struggled to get myself. If I have learned anything from my community, it's that it is okay to ask for help and lean on the community around you.

I am writing to express my interest in this scholarship and to share with you my journey, aspirations, and how this scholarship will aid in my dreams of pursuing a degree in Marine Biology. Growing up, I developed a profound curiosity and love for nature and wildlife. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be involved in animal care but I had never quite known how. I grew up wanting to learn about nature, and thriving in science classes. I donated money to animal shelters, and animal organizations and was constantly looking to volunteer at Zoos. This early passion was only amplified when I entered high school. Starting strong in my freshman year, I took a school trip to the Salish seas in Washington. On this trip, we visited Oyster farms, cleaned up a microplastic spill, learned about Salmon, prepared a habitat for an endangered butterfly species, and went whale watching. Seeing a pod of Orcas with my own eyes is what launched my interest in Marine Biology. After that trip, I decided to fill my schedule with science classes, taking four of them in my junior year. I co-taught a high school Marine Biology class, leading a trip to Catalina Island Marine Institute, spending a week learning about micromarine biology, mammals, sharks, ecology, oceanography, and got to go snorkeling. Later that school year I got to take a trip to Belize and spent the week volunteering at the Belize Zoo and snorkeling in the Belize barrier reef. These experiences solidified my decision to pursue a degree in Marine Biology, as I recognized the critical need for dedicated scientists to study and protect our oceans. Choosing Marine Biology was an extension of my lifelong interests and a response to the urgent environmental challenges we face. The ocean covers over 70% of our planet's surface and plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining society. Yet, it is under significant threat from pollution, climate change, and overfishing. By pursuing a degree in Marine Biology, I aim to contribute to the understanding and preservation of marine ecosystems, ensuring they remain resilient for future generations. The financial support provided by the Hilliard L. "Tack" Gibbs Jr. Memorial Scholarship will be instrumental in helping me achieve my lifelong goals. As the first person in my family to attend college, I am aware of the financial burden that higher education can impose. This scholarship will alleviate some of the financial pressures, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on part-time work. Additionally, it will enable me to participate in internships and research opportunities that are crucial for gaining practical experience and making meaningful contributions to the field. After graduation, I aspire to work in tropical conservation, conducting research that aims to educate society on what they can do to help. I am interested in studying the impacts of climate change on coral reef environments and developing restoration techniques to help these vital ecosystems recover. Ultimately, my goal is to work with organizations to implement conservation initiatives on a global scale, promoting practices that balance human needs with the health of our oceans. In conclusion, I am deeply committed to my studies in Marine Biology and to making a positive impact on the world through my work. The Hilliard L. "Tack" Gibbs Jr. Memorial Scholarship represents not just financial support, but also a vote of confidence in my potential to contribute meaningfully to marine science and conservation. I am grateful for your consideration and hopeful for the opportunity to further my education with your support.