I have gone to six schools and moved a total of eight times, including three international locations. My latest move was the summer after 10th grade from Bern, Switzerland to Maryland, U.S. As a military child, only knowing people and places in increments of two to three years has made my life experiences singular. Getting used to the unfamiliar and unpredictable seems counterintuitive, however, this has been my reality for as long as I can remember. During high school, I think I was finally old enough to understand the impact that moving so often has had on me. I made better friendships and moving seemed more difficult. I went from a very small K-12 international school to a large American public school. As a new student in a big school, it is harder to find a place among people who have been friends their entire lives. The school system itself is fundamentally different and adjusting from the IB program language and thought process to the U.S. system centered on standardized tests and lectures was difficult. What made me successful in the IB system was hurting me in the public school environment. Even though it seemed difficult at the time, I now recognize that navigating a new school system helps me find my strengths and what I need to work on to get better. Specifically, I realized that I enjoy science, but I find English comes easier to me than math. This realization has shaped my choices, from career paths to the extracurricular activities I joined. For example, when I joined my school’s science and technology journals I found people similar to me who also enjoyed both humanities and STEM fields. This background has also given me a love of other cultures and people. Through my experiences, I have learned to be open-minded, adaptable, and sensitive to other cultures. Meeting new people and learning about their traditions enriches my life and helps me grow as a person. As someone who values diversity and inclusivity, I make a conscious effort to include those around me, because being left out is uncomfortable and hard. Even those who have never been the new kid should feel welcomed and be able to find belonging. In ninth grade, I became a student ambassador, in charge of aiding new students in becoming acquainted with the school, even though I was relatively new as well. The following year, I was elected as a grade representative in the student council because of the different perspectives I had brought from my past schools. Being the new kid is challenging, but I can not imagine my life without stepping outside my comfort zone and gaining fresh perspectives with each move.

Alternative energy is a fascinating field to me and, as an aspiring nuclear engineer, the developing technology is likewise intriguing. In the past few years, a group of Finnish scientists created a new kind of battery to store energy from renewable sources. This battery uses sand to store energy in the form of heat from energy sources like solar and wind. The process involves heating the sand to store thermal energy, which can be converted back to electricity when needed. The unreliability of many renewables due to weather conditions emphasizes the crucial role of a battery in creating a sustainable society. The sand battery could revolutionize the energy production industry, by providing consistent energy availability even during non-peak production times. Additionally, the sand-based energy storage system uses silica sand, which is abundant and environmentally friendly. By mitigating the causes of climate change and reducing society’s reliance on fossil fuels, a technology as simple as using sand to store heat can make a difference. The developers' commitment to utilizing natural resources to benefit the environment is inspiring. I recognize the importance of diverse energy solutions in meeting the world's growing demand for power while keeping the environmental impact in mind. Developments like the sand battery exemplify the positive impact that technology can have on creating a more sustainable future. Various technological advancements, from medical breakthroughs to communication tools, contribute to improving lives globally. These technologies all use new information to improve people’s quality of life by fostering a global environment of innovation and progress.

Being part of my tenth-grade theater production of 'Clue', was one of the most memorable experiences I have had during high school. Our entire grade was responsible for putting the production on, including the set, lighting, and sound. I was selected to be one of the leading roles, Mrs. Peacock. Even though it was only one of my extracurriculars for a few months, I enjoyed it a lot. The final show was open to the whole community and there were a few showings when the audience was full. The work that was put into the show taught me to take advantage of opportunities to do something new because it was the first time I had done anything like it. Although I was acquainted with most students in my grade, it was not until we had this shared project that we were able to develop friendships and a support system. Education is important, and extracurricular activities often teach an additional set of skills that are not incorporated into state-mandated curricula. I have been a part of many extracurriculars including science journal, student council, theater productions, an a capella singing group, and badminton. Doing things outside the classroom to connect with others and develop new skills is important in my life because I want to fill my time with what I care about. Sports and other activities like theater are places to meet people and find common interests. This builds community and creates an environment that I want to live and work in. Other activities like science journals help me find interests that are not limited to general classroom subjects. I worked in my school's technology journal as a writer, and this allowed me to research more about topics I wanted to learn more about. For example, I wrote an article about a Finnish invention that uses a sand battery to store energy. This was something specific that did not necessarily have space in the classroom. That particular extracurricular also gave me another way to find other students like me to share interests. I have found many friends that I would not have otherwise found except through activities outside of school. My family is in the military, so I need to make new friends every time we move. Extracurriculars have been a way for me to find a sense of belonging every time I move to a new area. Belonging is important for the community because it creates connection and support, when students create a support system early on, life after school becomes easier. I am passionate about the activities I am involved with and can see the difference they have in my life and those around me.

Pursuing higher education is a very important opportunity that can lead to both personal growth and better career opportunities. Unfortunately, the financial burden and hassle of student loans can be discouraging and demotivational. As a female in STEM, I am looking for a way to pursue my dreams in a realistic and manageable fashion. I want to give back to the community by becoming an engineer, particularly an environmental or nuclear engineer. This career path allows me to learn more about our energy production and develop a passion for sustainability and a desire to contribute to a better future. Unfortunately, the universities and institutions that offer these degrees tend to be very expensive to account for the technology used for learning more advanced scientific topics. I have a unique background as a military child, to a father in the Air Force, which means I have had the opportunity to move every few years. This has helped me develop a multicultural point of view that can be an asset in many environments, as well as help me connect with different people around the globe. However, moving so often has also had major drawbacks including disqualifying me from other community scholarships and school-based scholarships. This scholarship is one of the first opportunities I have received, for which I am eligible, that has the potential to aid me in pursuing a college degree. Over my high school career, I attended two high schools and have completed over 175 hours of community service. One particular example, in my time in Maryland, occurred in the Fall of 2022. One of the local elementary schools, collected stuffed animals over a month to give to a local charity to give toys to homeless and financially disadvantaged children. After hearing about their need for volunteers, I offered to wash all of the toys from one of the schools and drop them off at the charity. The total amount of stuffed animals amounted to more than 6 trash bags and 8 hours of work. I enjoy helping the community both locally and worldwide. This scholarship would help my commitment to making a positive impact by helping me fund my pursuit of a higher education. It would also guide me in overcoming financial obstacles that would prevent me from pursuing such a rigorous academic path. This recognition can boost my confidence and motivate me to excel academically, pushing me to reach new heights in my studies and future career.

From the early stages of the United States and up to now, diversity and cultural exploration have been prominent features of what it means to be American. People from all over the world look to the United States as a place for opportunity, growth, and innovation. We are leaders in the global effort to bring countries closer together to work toward peace and sustainability on a widespread scale. Without the collaboration of other cultures and nations, these efforts will be fruitless. By studying other cultures and nations, we can connect with them and learn more about the commonalities of the human race, which will better prepare us to understand our current state. All humans are connected by similar desires, goals, and struggles. Global exploration provides a way to draw on our similarities and share our differences. Celebrating each other and recognizing the cultural and individual diversity in the world, enables us to criticise and evaluate our ways of life and question assumptions and biases we have. Reevaluating biases is especially important because it makes us more cognizant of our opinions and the reasoning behind the choices we make. It can also help us think about how our surroundings are impacting both our conscious and subconscious choices. Increased cultural sensitivity and awareness help us develop an open mind and inspire us to find out more about where our own traditions and customs come from. As we immerse ourselves in the cultures around the world, we also become more empathetic. Empathy is crucial in creating and maintaining relationships. As the United States continues to become more diverse, developing empathy becomes crucial for fostering unity and promoting social cohesion. In addition to diplomatic relations and humanitarian cooperation, global exploration leads to technological and scientific advancements, as well as creating new economic opportunities. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists and researchers from all different countries and backgrounds met together with the common goal of creating a vaccine. This interconnectedness is key for our success in the future. As the United States engages with other countries, it can identify potential markets, investment prospects, and areas of cooperation. This collaboration can lead to the creation of new industries, job opportunities, and economic growth. By actively engaging in the global community, the U.S. can advance its interests, and contribute to global knowledge and development, while fostering positive relationships with other nations. Through the study of other cultures and nations, we as individuals and together as a nation can foster a cultural appreciation, broaden perspectives, address global challenges, and strengthen diplomatic relations.