I have a clear vision for my future. I have carefully planned goals, and I have the stubborn determination to see them through. My background, skills, and an inspiring experience led me to chose mechanical engineering as my course of study. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. At the ANSEP academy, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP two more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. My career objectives begin with my pursuit of a quality education. I dual enrolled in my local college during high school. I successfully took Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 my senior year. I graduated high school with the equivalent of 7 years of math, and 18 college. This has prepared for the challenges of attending college full time. I am incredibly driven to achieve my goals. I have the intimidating challenge of paying for all of my college expenses on my own. Along with keeping up my high school GPA of 3.76 and attending college classes, I worked 30-40 hours a week to save money to finance my education. I am currently attending my dream school, Purdue University. I chose to attend a college with a strong engineering program, so I could get the best education possible. Purdue’s engineering program is very well respected, and is known for offering many hands on learning opportunities and real world experience. I want more than just a book driven education. I want experience. This will greatly prepare me for my future career. I spend all of my time attending lectures and labs, completing homework, collaborating on projects, and studying. The absence of free time can be overwhelming, but it does not discourage me. I am determined to complete my degree. After graduating from college, My goal is to begin looking for employment opportunities in Alaska. Oil and gas is a huge industry here, so this will most likely be the source of my employment. I feel the energy industry will be a good fit for my skill set. I would like my work to positively impact this industry by providing more efficient, green, and user friendly solutions. Many facilities here are aging and are in need of maintenance and improvements. I want my work to improve the safety of workers while also protecting our lands. Alaskans depend on our natural resources for survival and for many different recreational activities. A large goal of mine would be to protect these resources. I love Alaska, and I am looking forward to improving the energy industry here. Another important career objective of mine is to bring diversity to my line of work. I was heavily inspired by the leaders at the Alaskan Science and Engineering Program. I am incredibly thankful for their influence and inspiration. I would also like the opportunity to mentor and inspire students to pursue STEM careers. I am now halfway through my freshman year, and I am aware how quickly my future is approaching. I have researched options, and decided how to best carve my path. I am confident my determination to achieve my goals pared with my skills and ambition will allow me to live the kind of life I have always envisioned for myself.

Mental health is incredibly important. It is just as important as physical health. Having great mental health drastically improves quality of life. Mental health is something one must nourish and care for. Every essence of our being is intertwined with our mental health. It’s vital to navigating our lives. It defines how we perceive ourselves and others. It shapes and manipulates our well being. Having good mental health is essential to survival. Possessing good mental health is key to a happy, successful life. It fuels our ability to function. It is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends and partners. It assists with every aspect of our lives. Just like maintaining great physical health, mental health takes work also. Committing to eating healthy, and exercising benefit both. One can train their body and brain. Getting adequate sleep is crucial. At times, good mental health often takes a little more work though. Counseling, therapy and medication is often needed, and there is a vast variety of options available. With the availability of so many different programs and medication, one should never accept defeat. Help is available! Relaxing techniques, eliminating stress, laughing, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones helps tremendously. Positive thinking, meditating, and taking time for self care is important too. Sometimes just a change of scenery, a change for the senses is all that’s needed to promote wellness. I value my mental health, and there are many ways I maintain mine. I work extremely hard, and I have a very demanding schedule. To avoid getting overwhelmed, I like to plan out my time wisely. I choose not to cause myself unneeded stress by procrastinating. I take breaks when I feel my concentration fading. I celebrate each accomplishment. When I feel myself slipping into a funk, I have solutions. I seek out and spend time with my animals. I watch funny videos. I go for a ride on my ATV or snowmobile depending on the season. I meet up with friends. I make fun plans to look forward to. I spend time with my family. All these activities have a positive effect on my mood. Having good mental health is so very important. I want to be successful in my future endeavors at college, in my future career, and in my future relationships. I know the only way I will achieve the level of success I desire is to maintain and care for my mental health.

Mental health is incredibly important. It is just as important as physical health. Having great mental health drastically improves quality of life. Mental health is something one must nourish and care for. Every essence of our being is intertwined with our mental health. It’s vital to navigating our lives. It defines how we perceive ourselves and others. It shapes and manipulates our well being. Having good mental health is essential to survival. Possessing good mental health is key to a happy, successful life. It fuels our ability to function. It is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends and partners. It assists with every aspect of our lives. Just like maintaining great physical health, mental health takes work also. Committing to eating healthy, and exercising benefit both. One can train their body and brain. Getting adequate sleep is crucial. At times, good mental health often takes a little more work though. Counseling, therapy and medication is often needed, and there is a vast variety of options available. With the availability of so many different programs and medication, one should never accept defeat. Help is available! Relaxing techniques, eliminating stress, laughing, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones helps tremendously. Positive thinking, meditating, and taking time for self care is important too. Sometimes just a change of scenery, a change for the senses is all that’s needed to promote wellness. I value my mental health, and there are many ways I maintain mine. I work extremely hard, and I have a very demanding schedule. To avoid getting overwhelmed, I like to plan out my time wisely. I choose not to cause myself unneeded stress by procrastinating. I take breaks when I feel my concentration fading. I celebrate each accomplishment. When I feel myself slipping into a funk, I have solutions. I seek out and spend time with my animals. I watch funny videos. I go for a ride on my ATV or snowmobile depending on the season. I meet up with friends. I make fun plans to look forward to. I spend time with my family. All these activities have a positive effect on my mood. Having good mental health is so very important. I want to be successful in my future endeavors at college, in my future career, and in my future relationships. I know the only way I will achieve the level of success I desire is to maintain and care for my mental health.

My dream version of myself for the future is for me to be happy and content while staying true to my strong values.

I am from a rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This type of lifestyle made me passionate about all things STEM. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This was a significant experience. It sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. My favorite subjects in school were STEM classes. As a younger child, I never liked fiction books. I liked to learn. I liked books about electricity, weather, vehicles, animals, tools, and space. In kindergarten, I realized I had an aptitude for math. I taught myself multiplication and started memorizing times tables. Math was something that always came easy to me. I took my first college class at 15 years old through the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program. I am currently taking Calculus 2. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. At ANSEP, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP 2 more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. I enjoy troubleshooting and brainstorming. I look for design flaws in real life and dream up ways I would improve products. This will be beneficial in my future STEM career. My hobbies and work experience demonstrate my passion and talent for STEM. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer. After graduating from college, My goal is to begin looking for employment in Alaska. Oil and gas is a huge industry here, so this will most likely be the source of my employment. My father works in this industry, and I have spent some time shadowing him. I feel the energy industry will be a good fit for my skill set. I would like my work to positively impact this industry by providing more efficient, green, and user friendly solutions. This goal of mine would help my future company save money, while also preserving resources. I love my home state, and I am looking forward to improving the energy industry here. My ultimate goal is to be successful in my future career. I am determined to be a innovative and respected engineer. I know I will achieve this, because I am an incredibly efficient, hard worker. I know my work values and experience will allow me to be successful in my future employment.

My mom has impacted my life in so many positive ways. She has guided and encouraged me to achieve my goals and beyond. I owe so much of my success to her! My mom has a strong background in early childhood education. From infancy, I had a vast collection of books, and I loved to learn. She encouraged and helped cultivate my steady thirst for knowledge. As a result, I have achieved much academic success. I highly value my education, and I am incredibly grateful for the significant educational foundation my mom provided. My mom has taught me many important life skills such as budgeting, writing checks, and paying bills. She taught me to save money and spend conservatively. She taught me to make financial goals and encouraged me to stick with them. Last year, I had to prepare my taxes for the first time. My mom sat with me and walked me through each step until I completed my return. Paying for college will be my very own responsibility, and I am grateful for the financial education my mom has provided. My mom taught me how to cook meals that I could easily prepare on my own when I move out. She taught me how to cook good, home cooked dinners cheaply. She taught me how to meal plan by what is on sale, and how to efficiently shop for groceries. My mom models kindness, honesty, and determination in all she does. She is a wonderful role model. I have a very strong moral compass, and I know the values she instills in me have contributed greatly to this. My great work ethic is a product of following her example. Every positive quality I have came from her loving influence. My mom highly values independence, and she has encouraged my three sisters and myself to think for ourselves. She educates us unbiasedly, and allows us to form our own opinions and beliefs. She pushes us to be unique. She helps us cultivate and grow our individual talents. My mom’s goal was to raise me well enough for me to not need her. I feel well prepared to graduate and take on the world on my own. I am confident and strong. I have integrity and ambition. I am incredibly grateful to my mom for molding me into the hardworking, kind person I am. I know I make her proud.

I am from a rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This type of lifestyle made me passionate about all things STEM. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This was a significant experience. It sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. My favorite subjects in school were STEM classes. As a younger child, I never liked fiction books. I liked to learn. I liked books about electricity, weather, vehicles, animals, tools, and space. In kindergarten, I realized I had an aptitude for math. I taught myself multiplication and started memorizing times tables. Math was something that always came easy to me. I took my first college class at 15 years old through the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program. I am currently taking Calculus 2. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. At ANSEP, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP 2 more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. I enjoy troubleshooting and brainstorming. I look for design flaws in real life and dream up ways I would improve products. This will be beneficial in my future STEM career. My hobbies and work experience demonstrate my passion and talent for STEM. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer. After graduating from college, My goal is to begin looking for employment in Alaska. Oil and gas is a huge industry here, so this will most likely be the source of my employment. My father works in this industry, and I have spent some time shadowing him. I feel the energy industry will be a good fit for my skill set. I would like my work to positively impact this industry by providing more efficient, green, and user friendly solutions. This goal of mine would help my future company save money, while also preserving resources. I love my home state, and I am looking forward to improving the energy industry here. My ultimate goal is to be successful in my future career. I am determined to be a innovative and respected engineer. I know I will achieve this, because I am an incredibly efficient, hard worker. I know my work values and experience will allow me to be successful in my future employment.

I am from a small rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day, whether it was designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. I discovered quite young that my moral compass was very different than most. I never dealt with any disciplinary actions. I was studious, serious, and incredibly well behaved. I sometimes could not relate to children my own age, as I had high goals for myself. I valued my education and worked incredibly hard. I am the friend parents want their child to have. I am supportive, kind, giving, and reliable. I always make good choices, and as a teenager, that can be quite rare. In my circle of friends, I am the voice of reason, the safe, cautious, and positive influence. I enjoy being that friend. I am not a typical teenager. I do not have a curfew. This is not because my parents are not strict with rules, it is because I never stay out late enough to need one. I work hard and go weeks without allowing myself to take a break to have fun. I have missed out on so many fun opportunities others my age indulge in, but I know my future success is worth the sacrifice. I highly value education. I am incredibly grateful for the quality educational foundation I received, allowing me to achieve much academic success. I strongly believe all children equally deserve the best opportunities to thrive. In the future, I want to continue volunteering to help students. I hope my influence will inspire and equip them to accomplish much in their futures, and hopefully they will also learn the value of giving back to their communities. I know statistically I am at a disadvantage due to my Native American heritage, but that motivates me even more to achieve my goals. I want to change this statistic! After I graduate, I would like to be a role model, a mentor to young Alaska Natives/American Indians. I want to inspire a new generation of college students to follow my lead. I want to encourage them to chase their dreams, just as I was encouraged to chase mine. My personality traits and values have allowed me to achieve much academic success presently, and I know they will serve me well in the future. My desire to give back and serve my community will hopefully improve the lives of many students by guiding and encouraging them to reach their full potential. I have the skills and determination to make a positive impact on my community.

I am from a rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This type of lifestyle made me passionate about all things STEM. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This was a significant experience. It sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. My favorite subjects in school were STEM classes. As a younger child, I never liked fiction books. I liked to learn. I liked books about electricity, weather, vehicles, animals, tools, and space. In kindergarten, I realized I had an aptitude for math. I taught myself multiplication and started memorizing times tables. Math was something that always came easy to me. I took my first college class at 15 years old through the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program. I am currently taking Calculus 2. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. At ANSEP, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP 2 more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. I enjoy troubleshooting and brainstorming. I look for design flaws in real life and dream up ways I would improve products. This will be beneficial in my future STEM career. My hobbies and work experience demonstrate my passion and talent for STEM. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer. After graduating from college, My goal is to begin looking for employment in Alaska. Oil and gas is a huge industry here, so this will most likely be the source of my employment. My father works in this industry, and I have spent some time shadowing him. I feel the energy industry will be a good fit for my skill set. I would like my work to positively impact this industry by providing more efficient, green, and user friendly solutions. This goal of mine would help my future company save money, while also preserving resources. I love my home state, and I am looking forward to improving the energy industry here. My ultimate goal is to be successful in my future career. I am determined to be a innovative and respected engineer. I know I will achieve this, because I am an incredibly efficient, hard worker. I know my work values and experience will allow me to be successful in my future employment.

I am from a small rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day, whether it was designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This type of lifestyle made me passionate about all things STEM. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I completely tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This was a significant experience. It sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. My favorite subjects in school were STEM classes. As a younger child, I never liked fiction books. I liked to learn. I liked books about electricity, weather, vehicles, animals, tools, and space. In kindergarten, I realized I had an aptitude for math. I taught myself multiplication and started memorizing times tables. Math was something that always came easy to me. I was a year ahead, and I took my first college class at 15 years old through the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. I had to write an essay, have excellent behavior, and had to have above average test scores to get in. At the ANSEP academy, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP two more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. Picking my future profession at this young age helped me tailor my education to best prepare me for an engineering degree. Days after I received my driver's license, I was hired for my first real job. I worked for a company that parted out broken powersport vehicles, outboard motors, and boilers to sell useable parts online. My knowledge of mechanics was valuable to my employer, and I became a valued team member. My boss actually decided to change the business’ hours of operation during the school year, so I could continue to work for them. I came in with mechanical knowledge, but I left with a much greater wealth of knowledge and troubleshooting skills. After over a year of saving, I custom ordered a new Can-Am Outlander. When it arrived, I was thrilled to go out on my first ride, but I noticed a design flaw. After riding it through one mud hole, the radiator clogged and overheated. So, I developed my own way to successfully mitigate the issue. I bought fender liners from a different model and adapted them to fit. I made a blocker plate for the bottom of the grill and a mesh screen to block the mud. In total I fixed this for less than $50, and my friend fixed his for over $400. I enjoy troubleshooting and brainstorming. I look for design flaws in real life and dream up ways I would improve products. This will be very beneficial in my future STEM career. My hobbies and work experience demonstrate my passion and talent for STEM. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer. I highly value my education, and I dream of attending a college with an excellent engineering program. I have a GPA of 3.77 while taking difficult STEM classes. This shows how dedicated I am to receiving a quality education. I know I will be successful in my future career, because I am determined. My love for all things STEM paired with my great work ethic will allow me to a great mechanical engineer. I want to be innovative and creative. I want any impact I make on the world through my career to be an outcome of good designing. I want to make the world an easier place to live in by having more efficient products and services.

I have a clear vision for my future. I have carefully planned goals, and I have the determination to see them through. My background, skills, and an inspiring experience led me to chose mechanical engineering as my course of study. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. I had to write an essay, have excellent behavior, and had to have above average test scores to get in. At the ANSEP academy, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP two more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. Picking my future profession at this young age helped me tailor my education to best prepare me for an engineering degree. My career objectives begin with my pursuit of a quality education I applied and was accepted into a program through my school district that allows me to dual enroll in my local college at no cost. I successfully took Calculus 1 last semester, and I am currently taking Calculus 2. I will graduate high school with the equivalent of 7 years of math, and 18 college credits. This jumpstart to my college education will save me so much time and money, making it easier to achieve my goal of obtaining a college degree. I will also be better prepared for the challenges of attending college full time. I would like to graduate with a respectable GPA, and work hard to receive the best possible education to prepare myself for my future occupation. I know what my future career will be, and I will be successful due to my stubborn diligence. After graduating from college, My goal is to begin looking for employment opportunities in Alaska. Oil and gas is a huge industry here, so this will most likely be the source of my employment. My father works in this industry, and I have spent some time shadowing him. I feel the energy industry will be a good fit for my skill set. This industry will also provide opportunities to advance in my career. I am always looking to better myself, so this is a very important objective to me. I would like my work to positively impact this industry by providing more efficient, green, and user friendly solutions. This goal of mine would help my future company save money, while also preserving resources. I love my home state, and I am looking forward to improving the energy industry here. My ultimate goal, the reason for my drive, is to be successful in my future career. I define such success by being a valued employee. I want to be an asset. I am determined to be a innovative and respected engineer. I know I will achieve this, because I am an incredibly efficient, hard worker. My current employer appreciates my excellent work ethic, and I know my work values and experience will allow me to be successful in my future employment. As a senior in high school, my future is quickly approaching. I have researched options, and decided how to best carve my path. I am confident my determination to achieve my goals pared with my skills and ambition will allow me to live the kind of life I have always envisioned for myself.

An ugly disease completely shattered my life, my way of thinking, leaving me desperately trying to fit the pieces back together. I had many voids of missing pieces, and a few extra had somehow joined the mix as well. We called her Grandma Sunshine, and she was truly a light in my life. We were very close, and I adored her. She was the quintessential grandma, loving, doting, and supportive. She had a very strong presence in my life. When I was nine years old, my mom rushed my beloved Grandma to the hospital, as she was in excruciating pain. She had a cholecystectomy due to a huge gall stone. Her biopsy report came back with the worst possible news, cancer. Gall bladder cancer is a rare and extremely aggressive cancer. I was scared. Shortly after this devastating diagnosis, my Grandma Sunshine underwent an intensive, risky surgery. She had a liver resection. This was deemed a success, and she was considered cancer free. A little over a year later, her health took a turn for the worst. Our hopes shattered. The cancer was back, and at stage four, her chances for survival were minimal. It was a cruel reality to endure. She bravely fought for 8 months, until the cancer stole her from me. The all consuming despair of grief feels like fighting to stay afloat in a raging sea. My sadness turned into anger. Why should such a kind, loving person who overcame so much be allowed to suffer that way?! Why now?! She was only 58 years old and had so much left to give. My Grandma was the most kind, loving person, and she was gone. I’m not sure what brought me more pain, losing her, or watching my mom sink into the depths of her own crippling grief. I dealt with my grief through anger. I was angry such a selfless person could have their life taken so young. I was enraged that such a gentle, sweet person suffered in the way she did. I harnessed that anger and turned it into stubborn determination. I fought and still fight to be the person she knew I was and will continue to be. I am stronger for this, and I’ve learned how to cope with the trauma of losing someone so special. Her love and lessons influence my being. Her life and untimely death will forever be entwined in my desire to be more. Her death taught me to focus on the big, important details of life. Everything else seems so insignificant in comparison. I focus on what truly matters, my family, friends, and education. I focus on enjoying life to the fullest extent possible, because life can be unexpectedly short. I focus on achieving everything she knew I am capable of. My Grandma Sunshine was always proud of my accomplishments. Through my pain, I still succeeded in school. I was a stable constant to my three younger sisters. I am determined to continue to make her proud, as I’m convinced she is watching down on me. I will be attending college soon, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering just as she envisioned me doing. I work 30 hours/week, and I have a GPA of 3.77. I will graduate high school with at least 18 college credits. I work incredibly hard. I fight for my success, because I’m alive to. I fight, because she taught me how to. I fight to be an ambitious, honest, and kind person in her memory. She had the heart of a fighter, and her legacy influences everything I strive to be

It is essential to wisely manage your finances, especially as a student. This is a time of major growth and change. Our money managing skills are crucial to our success in college and beyond. My parents have educated me since I was young on the importance of proper money management. I was never given an allowance. My money had to be earned through extra chores. I was taught early on that work equals money, and I was careful with my earnings. My parents have been great role models, as they are very fiscally responsible. I greatly value the knowledge they have instilled in me, and I respect their financial advice. Because of their teachings, I understand the importance of saving, investing, and living within one’s means. I know that debt is a stressful hole that I never want to claw my way out of. The best advice my parents have given is never sink into debt, never spend more money than I have, and always keep a safe amount of money in my bank account for emergencies. My parents have a wonderful financial advisor whom they meet with occasionally. I have expressed my desire to attend their next meeting. I would like to learn more about what a financial advisor does, and how this service can benefit me in the future. Because of my parent’s influence, I am working hard and successfully saving money for college. I have the intimidating task of funding my own education. I currently work 30-40 hours a week to earn money for school. In what little free time I have, I apply for as many scholarships as I can. The college I dream of attending is out of state. There is not a well rated engineering program in my state. This means my tuition costs will be incredibly high. Approximately $40,000 per year is what I am tasked with paying currently, but I am stubbornly determined to graduate college with a mechanical engineering degree. I am working tirelessly to lower the amount of student loans I will need. My parents often encourage me to set realistic financial goals, and this helps me tremendously. They have taught me how to budget and spend conservatively. This reduces the temptation to impulse buy, as I have bigger goals to reach. My parents have educated me on how to successfully build my credit. I will turn eighteen soon, and I am excited to stay this journey. I will be getting my first credit card. I already know exactly which card I will apply for. I am well informed on the different kinds of credit cards, cards that offer awards, and ones with annual fees. We talk about scams, interest rates and fees. We have had many frequent discussions on the benefits of safely using a credit card to build my credit. I am confident the knowledge I have will allow myself to use a credit card cautiously. I have an app on my phone that simulates investing in the stock market. I invest fake money into real stocks that follow the market in real time. I have learned quite a bit about buying, selling, and tracking stocks. I have increased my portfolio on this app. This has peaked my interest in the stock market, and I am excited to invest real money in the future. Even though I consider myself to be fairly financial literate for my age, I know there is still so much I can learn. Our world and economic climate changes often. It is important to keep up. I have an appetite for knowledge, and I greatly enjoy learning. I always seek out new information concerning subjects that interest me. Finances are an area of interest to me, because I want to be successful in life. I want to protect and grow what I have earned. Skilled money management is vital to obtaining success in college and beyond, and I comfortable with this task due to the diligence of my parents’ teachings. I am confident with my knowledge and ability to manage my own funds and expenses. Any financial decisions one makes can have either benefits or long lasting repercussions. My parents have set me up for success.

It is essential to wisely manage your finances, especially as a student. This is a time of major growth and change. Our money managing skills are crucial to our success in college and beyond. My parents have educated me since I was young on the importance of proper money management. I was never given an allowance. My money had to be earned through extra chores. I was taught early on that work equals money, and I was careful with my earnings. My parents have been great role models, as they are very fiscally responsible. I greatly value the knowledge they have instilled in me, and I respect their financial advice. Because of their teachings, I understand the importance of saving, investing, and living within one’s means. I know that debt is a stressful hole that I never want to claw my way out of. The best advice my parents have given is never sink into debt, never spend more money than I have, and always keep a safe amount of money in my bank account for emergencies. My parents have a wonderful financial advisor whom they meet with occasionally. I have expressed my desire to attend their next meeting. I would like to learn more about what a financial advisor does, and how this service can benefit me in the future. Because of my parent’s influence, I am working hard and successfully saving money for college. I have the intimidating task of funding my own education. I currently work 30-40 hours a week to earn money for school. In what little free time I have, I apply for as many scholarships as I can. The college I dream of attending is out of state. There is not a well rated engineering program in my state. This means my tuition costs will be incredibly high. Approximately $40,000 per year is what I am tasked with paying currently, but I am stubbornly determined to graduate college with a mechanical engineering degree. I am working tirelessly to lower the amount of student loans I will need. My parents often encourage me to set realistic financial goals, and this helps me tremendously. They have taught me how to budget and spend conservatively. This reduces the temptation to impulse buy, as I have bigger goals to reach. My parents have educated me on how to successfully build my credit. I will turn eighteen soon, and I am excited to stay this journey. I will be getting my first credit card. I already know exactly which card I will apply for. I am well informed on the different kinds of credit cards, cards that offer awards, and ones with annual fees. We talk about scams, interest rates and fees. We have had many frequent discussions on the benefits of safely using a credit card to build my credit. I am confident the knowledge I have will allow myself to use a credit card cautiously. I have an app on my phone that simulates investing in the stock market. I invest fake money into real stocks that follow the market in real time. I have learned quite a bit about buying, selling, and tracking stocks. I have increased my portfolio on this app. This has peaked my interest in the stock market, and I am excited to invest real money in the future. Even though I consider myself to be fairly financial literate for my age, I know there is still so much I can learn. Our world and economic climate changes often. It is important to keep up. I have an appetite for knowledge, and I greatly enjoy learning. I always seek out new information concerning subjects that interest me. Finances are an area of interest to me, because I want to be successful in life. I want to protect and grow what I have earned. Skilled money management is vital to obtaining success in college and beyond, and I comfortable with this task due to the diligence of my parents’ teachings. I am confident with my knowledge and ability to manage my own funds and expenses. Any financial decisions one makes can have either benefits or long lasting repercussions. My parents have set me up for success.

I do not have direct experience with drug and alcohol addiction, but I am the grandchild of an addict. The mistakes made by my grandfather strongly influenced my mom’s life. His choices robbed my family of normalcy. My grandfather began his abuse of substances with alcohol, preferably whiskey. The distinct clinking sound of ice dropping into a glass still haunts my mom. In elementary school, her class was taught about the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving. It was then she realized that her father had a problem. While my mom was in middle school, her father was injured on the job. His injury complicated his ability to participate in his favorite activities. He spiraled into depression. His mental health was always questionable, and now, the real rollercoaster began. His drinking increased to a level of severe destruction. He was prescribed pain killers to ease the pain of his injury. These pills fueled a new addiction. Life was okay for my mom in the beginning of the month, but when the pills ran out, it was hell. His mood was unpredictable. He was agitated, verbally abusive, and sometimes violent. In his eyes, my mom was never good enough. Her good grades were never good enough. Her challenging classes, talents, excellent work ethic, clothing choices, and behavior were always ridiculed and attacked. He often yelled she “was a screw up” and “would never amount to anything.” Thankfully, my mom was resilient and strong. She overcame her traumatic upbringing and now possesses a hard earned wisdom. She’s a wonderful parent and has found much success in life. After a paranoid outburst and threats of harm, my mom decided to completely cut ties with her dad when I was a baby. Her parents were still married, and my mom was very close with my grandmother. This greatly complicated our family dynamic. My manipulative grandfather would do anything to try to stop her from seeing my sisters and I. My grandma was a loving, kind woman who desperately tried to help her husband. When his drinking poisoned his brain and ruined his liver, she became his caregiver. She always put everyone’s needs before her own. After years of unintentionally ignoring a few health issues, she was diagnosed with a rare an aggressive cancer. My grandfather died 4 weeks after her extremely invasive surgery. She ended up passing away a year and a half later. While it might not be completely true, I believe his addiction took her life too. I believe my mom is such a great parent due to learning what not to do. My mom is very open and frankly honest about the struggles of her childhood. I know she passes down her painful knowledge of addiction to prevent us from straying down that destructive path. My grandfather’s mistakes will not be forgotten, and they will never become my own. I have never been tempted to try drugs or alcohol. I hate the hurt these toxic substances caused my mom. I have worked extremely hard to achieve this level of academic achievement and success. I will receive a mechanical engineering degree, and I will be successful. I will not throw my life away by making poor choices! Alcohol and drug addiction ruined my mom’s early life, and I can almost feel the hurt my she experienced. The cycle broke, and it will not re-emerge with me. I know too much.

I have always held myself to a very high standard. My own stubborn desire to reach my goals is the main driving force in my life. I am extremely self motivated. I want to be a successful engineer, and I will accomplish this! I was a peculiar child with an old soul. I was extremely responsible for my age, and my moral compass surpassed any of my peers’. From very early on, I prioritized my education, and I had an insatiable craving for knowledge. I worked ahead in school and went above and beyond expectation. In sixth grade, I was nominated and accepted to participate in the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I stayed in the dorms and lived like a college student for two weeks. I participated in many hands on projects designed and taught my college professors. I discovered I could use my skills in math, science, and knowledge of mechanics in a career. I decided to become a mechanical engineer. Deciding on my future occupation this young allowed me to tailer my education to give me the best foundation possible. I chose to focus on math and science. I took welding, robotics, and construction classes. I participated in two more ANSEP academies. The last one gave me the opportunity to take college algebra online the summer after my freshman year. This class covered an entire semester worth of material in four weeks. It was extremely challenging and required up to fifteen hours a day of lectures, studying, and test taking. It was brutal, but I was determined to be successful. I knew after taking this class I could definitely handle the challenges of college. In high school I applied and was accepted to participate in my school district’s Middle College program that allows me to be dual enrolled in my local college at no cost. I will graduate high school with eighteen college credits. I am focused on getting a jumpstart on my degree requirements. I took Calculus 1 last semester, and I will be taking Calculus 2 when classes start after Christmas break. I will graduate high school with the equivalent of seven years of math! I am quite proud of this, as I have worked so very hard. I have the intimidating task of finding my own education. Along with my high school and college classes, I work 35-40 hours a week. I am saving as much as I possibly can to help pay for college. My goal is to enroll in a university with a strong engineering program. In what little free time I have, I apply to as many scholarships as possible. I am desperately working to avoid drowning in debt. I have applied and have been accepted to a few great universities. I am excited for what the future holds. My dream of becoming an engineer is so close to becoming a reality. I want to be a respected and innovative engineer. I want to design items and systems that use less materials while working more efficiently. I want to be successful in my future occupation. My self motivation is very apparent to those who know me. I am extremely determined to achieve my goals, even if I have to often sacrifice participating in fun, normal teenage activities. I know my years of tenacity and dedication will pay off.

Kindness, determination, and positivity are all attributes I possess. I have learned to be resilient when faced with challenges. Even when I struggle, my kindness is still apparent in all I do. I have had many challenges in my life. The most difficult was when my loving Grandma Sunshine was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. I have never seen my mom so scared. She came home from that awful doctors appointment sobbing. Even though I too was devastated, I tried my best to be positive and comfort her by saying, “You just need to stay in the now. Focus on taking care of my sisters. Focus on what you are going to cook for dinner. Focus on only what is right in front of you.” I know my encouraging words helped. Weeks later, my mom and Grandma left state to seek medical care. My grandma underwent a long, risky surgery to remove the cancer and a section of her liver. My mom had never been away from us before, and it was incredibly hard for us all. I helped with my three younger sisters, and I helped my dad with extra chores. Unfortunately, a year later this awful cancer was back at stage 4. My grandma underwent chemotherapy and fought hard for eight more months. Cancer stole her from me, and shattered my heart. I was only eleven at the time, and I was deeply immersed in grief. I knew I needed to be strong for my family. My younger sisters look up to me, and I supported them. My mom and my grandma were especially close, and observing the grief that consumed my mom was devastating. Two weeks after my grandma passed, my dad got very sick. He was hospitalized in the ICU for almost a week, and he was eventually diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease. These were not easy times for my family. I have always been oddly mature for my age, and I knew I could offer help. I spoke kind, comforting words to my family. I went above and beyond helping out around the house. I encouraged my sisters to do the same. I am have an optimistic personality, and that helps me stay positive during times of challenges and struggles. My positive attitude is often contagious. I stayed positive and continued to excel at school. I work hard to be the kind of person my Grandma Sunshine would be proud of. She was the most selfless, kind person I have ever met, and I greatly admired her for this. I strive to be like her. She was truly a light in my life, and I honor her memory by achieving the success she knew I am capable of. I will be graduating high school with a great GPA, 18 college credits, and the equivalent of seven years of math. I have an extremely demanding schedule, as I work 30-35 hours a week. I know my ambition and hard work is something my grandma would be incredibly proud of. Our family struggled during this difficult time, but I know my kindness and strength helped out immensely. I am stronger for my struggles. I know my positivity can get myself and others through the hardest of times.

I have spent many hours volunteering throughout my life. I volunteer through the National Honor Society. I do spring cleaning of littler off the sides of local roads. I have helped set up, run, and clean up from many different school events and fundraisers. I help tutor friends, classmates and my siblings. I helped clean up and did groundskeeping at a local cemetery with my church. Of all these experiences, by far the most impactful volunteering position I’ve held was with the Boys and Girls Club, and also at my former elementary school. This Club is located in my elementary school where I received a great education from kind, caring teachers. This elementary school is the only school in my very small community. It is the heart and center of my town. Any contribution to this school or the Boys and Girls Club located within is an investment in the future of my rural community. This school prides itself on having a family like atmosphere, and I enjoy giving back to the place that gave me such a successful foundation. During my time volunteering at Boys and Girls club, I helped serve meals and cleaned up. I assisted many students with their homework daily. I also supervised and entertained these children. As the oldest sibling to 3 younger sisters, I am very comfortable taking on the responsibility of being a role model. I take this job very seriously. I get great grades, work hard, and I make good, mature choices. I enjoy being the kind of person these students can look up to. I was a consistent person in their sometimes disruptive lives. I know I made a positive impact in these student’s lives by being helpful, kind, patient, and overall modeling good behavior. Every day, I helped students with their homework. Many of these children could not get the support they needed at home for a myriad of reasons, and I feel my presence in their lives helped them achieve more success academically. It was great witnessing their growth. Every year, my former elementary school hosts a large Halloween Carnival that is their biggest fundraiser of the year. I volunteer in some capacity every year. I encouraged fellow members of the National Honor Society to volunteer there as well. It is amazing being a part of such a positive experience for my community. I am incredibly thankful for the excellent education and experience I received in grade school. I have met and exceeded my goals due to having such strong support in my early years. Any assistance I can give to my former school so other children in my community can have that same experience is time very well spent. I feel that all these children deserve the best opportunity for success possible, whether it is getting the assistance they require, or raising funds to support their school. Providing children with a fun and valuable education is something I strive for. I believe my influence can inspire and equip them to accomplish much in their futures, and hopefully they will also learn the value of giving back.

I have spent many hours volunteering throughout my life. I volunteer through the National Honor Society. I do spring cleaning of littler off the sides of local roads. I have helped set up, run, and clean up from many different school events and fundraisers. I help tutor friends, classmates and my siblings. I helped clean up and did groundskeeping at a local cemetery with my church. Of all these experiences, by far the most impactful volunteering position I’ve held was with the Boys and Girls Club, and helping out my former elementary school. This Club is located in my elementary school where I received a great education from kind, caring teachers. This elementary school is the only school in my very small community. It is the heart and center of my town. Any contribution to this school or the Boys and Girls Club located within is an investment in the future of my rural community. This school prides itself on having a family like atmosphere, and I enjoy giving back to the place that gave me such a successful educational foundation. I am incredibly grateful! During my time volunteering at Boys and Girls club, I helped serve meals and cleaned up. I assisted many students with their homework daily. I also supervised and entertained these children. As the oldest sibling to 3 younger sisters, I am very comfortable taking on the responsibility of being a role model. I take this job very seriously. I get great grades, work hard, and I make good, mature choices. I enjoy being the kind of person these students can look up to. I was a consistent person in their sometimes disruptive lives. I know I made a positive impact in these student’s lives by being helpful, kind, patient, and overall modeling good behavior. Every day, I helped students with their homework. Many of these children could not get the support they needed at home for a myriad of reasons, and I feel my presence in their lives helped them achieve more success academically. It was great witnessing their growth. Every year, my former elementary school hosts a large Halloween Carnival that is their biggest fundraiser of the year. I volunteer in some capacity every year. I encouraged fellow members of the National Honor Society to volunteer there as well. It is amazing being a part of such a positive experience for my community. I am incredibly thankful for the excellent education and experience I received in grade school. I have met and exceeded my goals due to having such strong support in my early years. Any assistance I can give to my former school so other children in my community can have that same experience is time very well spent. I feel that all these children deserve the best opportunity for success possible, whether it is getting the assistance they require, or raising funds to support their school. Providing young students with a fun and valuable education is something I strive for. I believe my influence will inspire and equip them to accomplish much in their futures, and hopefully they will also learn the value of giving back.

Kindness, determination, and positivity are all attributes I possess. I have learned to be resilient when faced with challenges. Even when I struggle, my kindness is still apparent in all I do. I have had many challenges in my life. The most difficult was when my loving Grandma Sunshine was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. I have never seen my mom so scared. She came home from that awful doctors appointment sobbing. Even though I too was devastated, I tried my best to be positive and comfort her by saying, “You just need to stay in the now. Focus on taking care of my sisters. Focus on what you are going to cook for dinner. Focus on only what is right in front of you.” I know my encouraging words helped. Weeks later, my mom and Grandma left state to seek medical care. My grandma underwent a long, risky surgery to remove the cancer and a section of her liver. My mom had never been away from us before, and it was hard for us all. I helped with my three younger sisters, and I helped my dad with extra chores. Unfortunately, a year later this awful cancer was back at stage 4. My grandma underwent chemotherapy and fought hard for eight more months. Cancer stole her from me, and shattered my heart. I was only eleven at the time, and I was deeply immersed in grief. I knew I needed to be strong for my family. My younger sisters look up to me, and I supported them. My mom and my grandma were especially close, and observing the grief that consumed my mom was devastating. Two weeks after my grandma passed, my dad got very sick. He was hospitalized in the ICU for almost a week, and he was eventually diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease. These were not easy times for my family. I have always been oddly mature for my age, and I knew I could offer help. I spoke kind, comforting words to my family. I went above and beyond helping out around the house. I encouraged my sisters to do the same. I am have an optimistic personality, and that helps me stay positive during times of challenges and struggles. My positive attitude is often contagious. I stayed positive and continued to excel at school. I work hard to be the kind of person my Grandma Sunshine would be proud of. She was the most selfless, kind person I have ever met, and I greatly admired her for this. I strive to be like her. She was truly a light in my life, and I honor her memory by achieving the success she knew I am capable of. I will be graduating high school with a great GPA, 18 college credits, and the equivalent of seven years of math. I have an extremely demanding schedule, as I work 30-35 hours a week. I know my ambition and hard work is something my grandma would be incredibly proud of. Our family struggled during this difficult time, but I know my kindness and strength helped out immensely. I am stronger for my struggles. I know my positivity can get myself and others through the hardest of times.

The tech industry is vital to our present existence. I participated in a program that influenced my desire to explore technology. I absolutely believe the tech industry needs to be all inclusive. I know exactly how I want to impact this industry. When I was in sixth grade, I was nominated to apply to tthe Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program. I was accepted, and I spent two weeks residing in the dorms at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. I participated in many hands on STEM activities. I was introduced to many different STEM careers. At this program, we each had the incredible opportunity to build our own personal computers. This was such a fascinating process. Six years later, this is still the PC I use for homework, and occasionally gaming. I have only had to change the GPU to keep it operational. This experience peaked my interest in tech, and influenced me to chose a career in STEM. I am pursuing an engineering degree. The tech industry does have the moral and social responsibility to be inclusive to all consumers. We are a vast and diverse species with different needs, and different preferences. People of all ages, races, sexes, religions, from all regions and socioeconomic statuses need to be represented in this industry. Products need to be designed and marketed with diversity in mind. Technology is something used by everyone, so all demographics of people need to be considered. There also needs to be more inclusiveness in the entire technology workforce. Our society has evolved from discoveries made by great independent thinkers. Diversity in people lead to diversity in ideas. The technology industry can greatly benefit by incorporating innovative ideas from a variety of individuals. We need equal representation. Inclusiveness is not only socially and morally the correct avenue to take, it is the best for business as well. Marketing to a more vast and diverse audience results in much better sales. Consumers also prefer to purchase goods and services from companies who embrace all demographics. As a senior in high school, I am tasked with envisioning, and carefully preparing for my future. I think we all truly desire to have an impact on the world. I want to be a respected and innovative engineer. I am determined to design products and programs that improve the quality of living by providing efficiency. Efficient designs save money, materials, and offer greener solutions. I also want to impact the industry by procuring the opportunity to influence and inspire future STEM students, just as I was. I am grateful for my education, and the incredible programs I have been able to attend. I will be an advocate for diversity in STEM careers, not only because I am a minority, but because it is the correct and just approach. I will make a difference.

I have faced several challenges in my life so far, but there was one that stands out as most impactful. I was accepted into the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program which allowed me to take an online College Algebra class in the summer after my Freshman year. This class was of no charge, so I was quite motivated to take it. This class was only 5 weeks long, but after working through a myriad of technology issues, it turned into a short 4 week course that covered an entire semester of material. This class moved incredibly fast. I would spend an average of 12 hours a day listening to lectures, and completing homework and tests. I naively didn’t anticipate the extremity of this course or the time commitment needed to be successful. At first, It was extremely difficult for me, not only just because of the workload. It was summer, and I had friends that wanted me to do fun activities with them. I couldn’t because I was taking this challenging class. Alaskan summers are incredibly short, so I felt as if I would miss out on my summer break. I knew I was missing out on making fond memories with my friends and family. I was very overwhelmed and struggling. My stress level was unmanageably high, and I felt like giving up. I knew that quitting would make me feel like I failed. I knew I would feel insecure about successfully completing future college classes. I buckled down and carried on. I made a commitment, and I wanted to see it through. I made finishing this class my priority. So, I would start at 7 AM every morning and work till at least 7 o’clock every night, sometimes I would still be working at 11 PM. I would make sure that I understood every concept before moving on. I persisted. I passed the class with a better grade than I expected. I learned just how much I can accomplish when I put forth the effort. I learned so much more than algebra over those five weeks. I learned more about myself. I learned how to have better time management. I learned how to minimize distractions while studying. I discovered how to harness my stubborn determination. I realized how hard I can work to achieve my goals. I learned better, healthy ways to manage stress. I did not stop until I successfully completed the class. Now I am in my senior year of high school, and I am taking 8 college credits, including another online math class, Calculus I. I’m currently using so many skills I learned from taking that first challenging class. The challenges I faced through this class gave me so much confidence. I am now thankful I had this opportunity to grow and mature. I am grateful for the struggle I experienced. It better prepared me to face my challenges and persevere to achieve the level of success I know I’m capable of.

The thought of delving into debt with student loans is incredibly stressful. I will be pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. I am working extremely hard to reduce the amount of loans I will need. I apply for scholarships, take dual credit classes, and I save money from working to help lower my costs. I have the intimidating task of paying for college myself. I am very financially conservative, and the price tag of tuition has me incredibly concerned. I am worried, but I am determined to make my dream of attending a good school a reality. I jump at any opportunity to get my schooling paid for. I applied and was accepted into the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program for three different academies. The last one I participated in was a college algebra class the summer after my freshman year. This was a five week class, well more like four weeks after participants and teachers dealt with technology issues. This challenging class covered a semester’s worth of material. It was a difficult class, but I received three credits with no cost to me. I applied to and was accepted into my school district’s middle college program, allowing me to take free college classes. I do not even have to pay for books! Along with my high school classes, I am currently taking the maximum allowed college credits, or three classes. I am enrolled for the spring semester also. This program will save me a tremendous amount of money. I work 30-35 hours a week. I have an extremely busy schedule, but I want to save money for school. My boss allows me to work as many hours as I want. My first priority is completing all of my school work while maintaining and working on improving my 3.77 GPA. Then, I work as much as possible. I’m often quite tired and sometimes overwhelmed, but I’m stubbornly determined to save as much mine for college as I can. In what little spare time I have, I research and apply for scholarships. I believe I have a good chance at receiving at least a few. I have excellent grades, a great work history, and a proven history of my accomplishments due to my own ambition. I am member of NHS, and I volunteer in my community. I hope others see how hard I work. Receiving scholarships would help me immensely. Not only would these help fund my education, they would help me from drowning in student loan debt. Being only seventeen, I hav no credit. I will turn eighteen in the spring, but that won’t give me much time to build credit before I have to take out student loans. I know my parents will have to co-sign, and this upsets me. I know I am extremely motivated to get a great job after I graduate college, but what if that takes longer than I plan? My loans will make living hard. I do not want to be a financial burden on my parents, and I definitely do not want to hurt their credit. Debt is something that scares me. I have been taught the consequences that come with taking on too much. I am doing all that I can to lower the amount of funds I have to borrow. I sincerely hope my efforts will make a substantial difference.

I am from a small rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day, whether it was designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This lifestyle made me passionate about all things STEM. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I completely tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This was a significant experience. It sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering program. I had to write an essay, have excellent behavior, and had to have above average test scores to get in. At the ANSEP academy, I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP two more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. Picking my future profession at this young age helped me tailor my education to best prepare me for an engineering degree. Days after I received my driver's license, I was hired for my first real job. I worked for a company that parted out broken powersport vehicles to sell useable parts online. My knowledge of mechanics was valuable to my employer, and I became a valued team member. My boss actually decided to change the business’ hours of operation during the school year, so I could continue to work for them. I came in with mechanical knowledge, but I left with a much greater wealth of knowledge and troubleshooting skills. I custom ordered a new Can-Am Outlander. I was thrilled to go out on my first ride, but I noticed a design flaw. After riding it through one mud hole, the radiator clogged and overheated. So, I developed my high own way to successfully mitigate the issue. I bought fender liners from a different model and adapted them to fit. I made a blocker plate for the bottom of the grill and a mesh screen to block the mud. In total I fixed this for less than $50, and my friend fixed his for over $400. I enjoy troubleshooting and brainstorming. I look for design flaws in real life and dream up ways I would improve products. This will be very beneficial in my future STEM career. My hobbies and work experience demonstrate my passion and talent for STEM. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer. I highly value my education, and I dream of attending a college with an excellent engineering program. I have a GPA of 3.77 while taking difficult STEM classes. This shows how dedicated I am to receiving a quality education. I know I will be successful in my future career, because I am determined. My love for all things STEM paired with my great work ethic will allow me to a great mechanical engineer. My goal is to be innovative and creative. I want any impact I make on the world through my career to be an outcome of good designing. I want to make the world an easier place to live in by having more efficient products and services.

Integrity is the most desirable trait in a person. Integrity is the ability to decipher right from wrong and always choose the right. It is the overall drive to be good, to be moral. Integrity is honesty, kindness, and sincerity. I have always been told I have an admirable moral compass. I make mature, solid choices. I have never faced any disciplinary actions, as I choose to follow rules and be respectful. I strive to be a quality person. I put the needs of others before myself, and I am kind, loyal, and supportive person. I am a son, brother, friend, student, and community member. These are roles I cherish. Honor and integrity are entwined into one’s morality. Honor is self respect and the drive to be an upstanding individual. It is the standard to which we measure ourselves by. Upholding one’s honor is the heart of being a good citizen. Honor encompasses judgment of ourselves and how we want others to perceive us. My honor prohibits me from lying or cheating. I am honest, trustworthy, and dependable. My honor distracts me from social expectations. I carve my own path. My honor prevents me from doing wrong. My excellent work ethic is an example of my honor. I work extremely hard. I am efficient, safe, and knowledgeable. My former bosses greatly appreciated my work ethic. Before school started in late summer, they changed the business hours from 8:00-400 to 10:00-6:00, so I could continue working throughout the school year. I was a valued employee. My current boss also respects my great work ethic. I do not need supervision or detailed instructions. I am self motivated and punctual. I am allowed to pick my own hours, as I always complete my tasks in a timely manner. I am responsible for honestly reporting my hours and my honor is never questioned. My honor pushed me to put a stop to racist behavior. Some peers and I were assigned a group project in my government class. Some students included racist pictures, slurs, and other troubling statements. I refused to take part in their actions. I reported their unacceptable behavior to school admin. I may not look like it, but I am a minority. Racism, judgement, and discrimination is against my core values. My honor inspires me to give back to my community. I enjoy volunteering, especially at my former elementary school. I received the best educational foundation there, and I greatly enjoy helping out the staff members and students. I have volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club located within that school. I tutored students and helped with homework. I modeled good integrity. My honor and integrity push me to be a person I can be proud of. I work tirelessly to accomplish my goals. I have a GPA of 3.77, I currently am taking three college classes, and I work 30-35 hours a week to save money for college. I strive to get the best education possible so I will be successful in college, my future career, and in life in general. My honor is the driving force in my ambitious personality. My integrity is my most valued trait.

I have a clear vision for my future. I am incredibly driven to achieve my goals. I have the intimidating challenge of paying for all of my college expenses on my own. Along with keeping up my GPA of 3.77 and attending 3 college classes, I work 30-35 hours a week to save money to finance my education. I spend much of my free time applying for as many scholarships as I can to hopefully increase my ability to afford college. I have an extremely full schedule, but my end goal is worth the effort. This coming fall, I will be pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. My goal is to attend a school with an excellent engineering program that will build on my already acquired foundation of skills. I will work tirelessly to acquire the best education possible. I will graduate on time, if not early, with a GPA I will be proud of. My ultimate goal, the reason for my drive, is to be successful in my future career. I want to be a innovative and respected engineer. I know I will achieve this, because I am an incredibly efficient, hard worker. My current employer appreciates my excellent work ethic, and I know my work values and experience will allow me to be successful in my future employment. I have spent many hours volunteering throughout my life. I volunteer through the National Honor Society. I do spring cleaning of littler off the sides of local roads. I have helped set up, run, and clean up from many different school events and fundraisers. I help tutor friends, classmates and my siblings. I helped clean up and did groundskeeping at a local cemetery with my church. Of all these experiences, the most impactful volunteering position I’ve held was with the Boys and Girls Club, and also at my former elementary school. This Club is located in my elementary school where I received a great education from kind, caring teachers. This elementary school is the only school in my very small community. It is the heart and center of my town. Any contribution to this school or the Boys and Girls Club located within is an investment in the future of my rural community. This school prides itself on having a family like atmosphere, and I enjoy giving back to the place that gave me such a successful foundation. During my time volunteering at Boys and Girls club, I helped serve meals and cleaned up. I assisted many students with their homework daily. I also supervised and entertained these children. Every day, I helped students with their homework. Many of these children could not get the support they needed at home for a myriad of reasons, and I feel my presence in their lives helped them achieve more success academically. It was great witnessing their growth. I am incredibly thankful for the excellent education and experience I received in grade school. I have met and exceeded my goals due to having such strong support in my early years. Any assistance I can give to my former school so other children in my community can have that same experience is time very well spent. I feel that all these children deserve the best opportunity for success possible, whether it is getting the assistance they require, or raising funds to support their school. Providing the children with a fun and valuable education is something I strive for. I believe my influence will inspire and equip them to accomplish much in their futures, and hopefully they will also learn the value of giving back.

It is essential to wisely manage your finances, especially as a student. This is a time of major growth and change. Our money managing skills are crucial to our success in college. Obtaining knowledge by taking classes, talking to professionals, and taking advice from my parents is a great way to become better educated on money management. I share my knowledge with my friends and peers. My parents have educated me since I was young on the importance of proper money management. They have been great role models. I greatly value the knowledge they have instilled in me, and I respect their financial advice. Because of their teachings, I understand the importance of saving, investing, and living within one’s means. I know that debt is a stressful hole that I never want to claw my way out of. My parents have a wonderful financial advisor who they meet with occasionally. I have expressed my desire to attend their next meeting. I would like to learn more about what a financial advisor does, and how this service can benefit me in the future. I have an app on my phone that simulates investing in the stock market. I invest fake money into real stocks that follow the market. I have learned quite a bit about buying, selling, and tracking stocks. I have increased my portfolio on this app. I recommend others to get this app. I am excited to invest real money in the future. I share my knowledge with my peers in class discussions. I talk with my friends on this subject often as well. Unfortunately, a few of my friends have parents that are not so money savvy, so I try to educate them on the basics I know about building credit and avoiding debt. Even though I consider myself to be fairly financial literate for my age, I know there is still so much I can learn. Our world and economic climate changes often. It is important to keep up. I have an appetite for knowledge, and I greatly enjoy learning. I always seek out new information concerning subjects that interest me. Finances are an area of interest to me, because I want to be successful in life. I want to protect and grow what I have earned. Skilled money management is vital to obtaining success in college and beyond. I am confident with my knowledge and ability to manage my own funds and expenses, but I always seek out new information. Any financial decisions one makes can have either benefits or long lasting repercussions. Financial literacy is essential to avoid making damaging mistakes.

It is essential to wisely manage your finances, especially as a student. This is a time of major growth and change. Our money managing skills are crucial to our success in college. I am currently working to save money for my upcoming education. I have conservative spending habits, and I use the knowledge I have acquired from advice and experiences. College is intimidatingly expensive. The decisions students make right now can have lifelong benefits or challenging repercussions that are difficult to overcome. Students must make smart informed choices, and carefully plan for the financial burden paying for college creates. Students need to have a clear understanding of the actual costs of attendance. They must apply for scholarships, complete the FAFSA, and keep note of all important deadlines. Researching different types of student loans is also incredibly important. By doing this, students are better equipped to manage their school costs. I am tediously careful with money. I will be responsible for paying for college myself. Along with my high school classes and college classes, I work 30-35 hours a week. My boss allows me to work as many hours as I choose. I work as many hours as I can while keeping up with my school work. I am working hard to save money for college. I apply for as many scholarships as time allows. I want to graduate college with as little student loan debt as possible. My spending habits are quite conservative. I rarely eat out, and my entertainment expenses are minimal. The cost of living is high where I live in Alaska, so I am especially careful with spending. I pay for my own fuel, so I am very conservative with my consumption. I am great at saving money for items I really want. After battling with constant expensive breakdowns of my old four-wheeler, I saved enough money to buy myself a new ATV. Even though I had enough cash to purchase it, I was hoping to secure a small loan to start establishing my credit. Unfortunately, being only 17, I could not get a loan. Shortly after I turn 18, I plan to get a credit card to make a small purchase on monthly so I can begin to build credit. My parents have educated me since I was young on the importance of proper money management. They have been great role models. I understand the importance of saving, investing, and living within one’s means. I know that debt is a stressful hole that I never want to claw my way out of. Skilled money management is vital to obtaining success in college and beyond. I am confident with my knowledge and ability to manage my own funds and expenses. I am determined to graduate college while successfully practicing smart financial decisions.

I am from a small rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day, whether it was designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This type of lifestyle made me mechanically inclined at a young age. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I completely tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This significant experience sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. In kindergarten, I realized I had an aptitude for math. I taught myself multiplication and started memorizing times tables. Math was something that always came easy to me. I took my first college class at 15 years old through the Alaska Native and Engineering Program. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the ANSEP. I had to write an essay, have excellent behavior, and have above average test scores to get in. After I was accepted, I spent twelve days living on campus. I participated in many hands-on activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP two more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. Picking my future profession at this young age helped me tailor my education to best prepare me for an engineering degree. Days after I received my driver's license, I was hired for my first real job. I worked for a company that parted out broken powersport vehicles, outboard motors, and boilers to sell useable parts online. My knowledge of mechanics was valuable to my employer, and I became a valued team member. My boss actually decided to change the business’ hours of operation during the school year, so I could continue to work for them. I came in with mechanical knowledge, but I left with a much greater wealth of knowledge and troubleshooting skills. On my own time, I started repairing ATVs. Word got out, and several people gave me their old, broken machines. I was able to successfully restore these. One machine in particular came with an interesting story. It was owned by a mechanic's helper. He could not get this ATV to run, and neither could the three shops he took it to. This man decided to give this 4wheeler to me. After a few minutes of looking it over, I found the issue. After two hours of work, I had a running ATV I received at no cost. After over a year of saving, I ordered a new Can-Am Outlander. I was thrilled to go out on my first ride, but I noticed a design flaw. After riding it through one mud hole, the radiator clogged and overheated. So, I developed my own way to successfully mitigate the issue. I bought fender liners from a different model and adapted them to fit. I made a blocker plate for the bottom of the grill and a mesh screen to block the mud. In total I fixed this for less than $50, and my friend fixed his for over $400. My hobbies demonstrate my passion and talent for mechanical work and design. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer.

It is incredibly important to prioritize good health. Maintaining good physical, nutritional, and mental health is crucial to succeeding in school. There are many ways one can maintain and improve health. It is a lifelong commitment, but one that I value. Staying active and exercising is key to great physical health. The hobbies I participate in all keep me very active. I hike, fish, ski, and ride power sport vehicles. I enjoy staying physically fit, and I know this greatly benefits my overall health. My job requires a large time commitment. I spend many hours a week doing hard labor. Shoveling snow and chipping ice is very hard work, but I enjoy the great workout I receive. An active lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle. Teenagers definitely do not always have the best nutritional health, but I make an effort to eat well. I always eat a good breakfast, as I feel this really helps me stay healthy. I avoid caffeine and never drink energy drinks of any kind. I very rarely drink soda, and I do not eat candy. My family eats very healthy. We have a large garden that produces many different types of organic vegetables. We preserve these and consume them all year. The only red meat we eat is from locally grown grass fed beef. My family and I catch halibut, salmon, lingcod and rockfish, which are all incredibly healthy sources of protein. We also catch shrimp and crab. Our freezers are full of freshly caught, quality seafood. Every essence of our being is intertwined with our mental health. It’s vital to navigating our lives. It defines how we perceive ourselves and others. It shapes and manipulates our well being. Having good mental health is essential to survival. Just like maintaining great physical health, mental health takes work also. Committing to eating healthy, and exercising benefit both. One can train their body and brain. Getting adequate sleep is crucial. At times, good mental health often takes a little more work though. I value my mental health, and there are many ways I maintain mine. I work extremely hard, and I have a very demanding schedule. To avoid getting overwhelmed, I like to plan out my time wisely. I choose not to cause myself unneeded stress by procrastinating. I take breaks when I feel my concentration fading. I celebrate each accomplishment. When I feel myself slipping into a funk, I have solutions. I seek out and spend time with my animals. I watch funny videos. I go for a ride on my ATV or snowmobile depending on the season. I meet up with friends. I make fun plans to look forward to. I spend time with my family. All these activities have a positive effect on my mood. Maintaining and improving one’s physical, nutritional, and mental health is incredibly important. Humans function so much better when we take care of our bodies and minds. The demands of school are challenging, so staying healthy is essential.

There is a song from my past that I have an emotional connection with. The song, You Are My Sunshine, has deep meaning to me. It was sang to me as a young child. My Grandma sang this song to me often, so often that I started associating the song with her. As a toddler, I began calling her Grandma Sunshine. The name stuck, and all of my siblings never knew what her real name was. The name Grandma Sunshine was appropriate, because she was a true light in our lives. She was kind, selfless, loving, and everything a grandma should be. We were incredibly close, and I loved her dearly. Eight years ago, my sweet grandma was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. She fought hard. Her grandkids were her entire world, and she didn’t want to leave us. Six years ago, this horrible cancer stole her from me. The song You Are My Sunshine brings back sweet memories of her, but it also reminds me of the crippling grief I experienced when she passed. This song is bittersweet and sadly ironic. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear how much I love you, so please don’t take my sunshine away. But, cancer did take my Sunshine away. I miss her.

I have spent many hours volunteering throughout my life. I volunteer through the National Honor Society. I do spring cleaning of litter off the sides of local roads. I have helped set up, run, and clean up from many different school events and fundraisers. I help tutor friends, classmates and my siblings. I helped clean up and did groundskeeping at a local cemetery with my church. Of all these experiences, by far the most impactful volunteering position I’ve held was with the Boys and Girls Club, and also at my former elementary school. This Club is located in my elementary school where I received a great education from kind, caring teachers. This elementary school is the only school in my very small community. It is the heart and center of my town. Any contribution to this school or the Boys and Girls Club located within is an investment in the future of my rural community. This school prides itself on having a family like atmosphere, and I enjoy giving back to the place that gave me such a successful foundation. During my time volunteering at Boys and Girls club, I helped serve meals and cleaned up. I assisted many students with their homework daily. I also supervised and entertained these children. As the oldest sibling to 3 younger sisters, I am very comfortable taking on the responsibility of being a role model. I take this job very seriously. I get great grades, work hard, and I make good, mature choices. I enjoy being the kind of person these students can look up to. I was a consistent person in their sometimes disruptive lives. I know I made a positive impact in these student’s lives by being helpful, kind, patient, and overall modeling good behavior. Every day, I helped students with their homework. Many of these children could not get the support they needed at home for a myriad of reasons, and I feel my presence in their lives helped them achieve more success academically. It was great witnessing their growth. Every year, my former elementary school hosts a large Halloween Carnival that is their biggest fundraiser of the year. I volunteer in some capacity every year. I encouraged fellow members of the National Honor Society to volunteer there as well. It is amazing being a part of such a positive experience for my community. I am incredibly thankful for the excellent education and experience I received in grade school. I have met and exceeded my goals due to having such strong support in my early years. Any assistance I can give to my former school so other children in my community can have that same experience is time very well spent. I feel that all these children deserve the best opportunity for success possible, whether it is getting the assistance they require, or raising funds to support their school. Providing the children with a fun and valuable education is something I strive for. I believe my influence will inspire and equip them to accomplish much in their futures, and hopefully they will also learn the value of giving back. During college, I still plan to volunteer. I will assist my peers by tutoring those in need of extra help. I will be someone my peers can count on for support. A community thrives on it’s member’s willingness to contribute. This is the kind of environment I wish to take part in, an environment where we support and help each other succeed.

The quality I most value in myself is my stubborn determination. When I set a goal for myself, I work tirelessly to achieve it. This ambition has helped me numerous times. I know this trait will benefit me in the future also. I have dreamed of attending a good college since I was very young. When I was in third grade, I came home completely distraught. I had received my first ever bad grade on a spelling test. I asked my mom, “Will this affect my chances of getting into a good college?!” She reassured me that it would definitely not. This demonstrates just how seriously I have always taken my education. I challenge and push myself to go beyond the expectation. I study hard, and take challenging courses. Achieving academic success has always been my number one priority. I have made many sacrifices along the way to ensure I reach my goals. I am determined to get the best education possible. I am currently dual enrolled in my local college. Along with my high school classes, I am taking three college classes. I am determined to graduate high school with at least 18 college credits. I will also graduate high school with the equivalent of seven years of math. My excellent GPA, and the 30-35 hours I work a week to save money for school are benefits of my determination. I have reached many goals due to my tenacity. I have had wonderful experiences made possible by hard work in school. Acceptance into STEM programs and the National Honor Society were all incredibly important goals I achieved through my own drive. I had an older ATV that started to break down often. I grew tired of troubleshooting and repairing it so often. I set a goal to buy a brand new one. I worked for many months both at my job, and at home repairing and flipping ATVs for profit. I saved enough money and custom ordered my own ATV. I have made many fun trips riding with friends, and I’m so grateful for my determination! This determination can sometimes be excessive, but I want to be successful. I will be pursuing a mechanical engineering degree next fall. My hard work in school fueled by my ambition will benefit me greatly in college. I strive to be a respected engineer. I want to be successful in my career so I can live the life I’ve always dreamed of. I want to live comfortably while helping others. I want to travel, own a home, and have nice recreational vehicles. I’m confident I will be able to do these things, because I am incredibly motivated to make this my reality. I know from experience that I can always count on myself to push through challenges. I achieve my goals by harnessing the determination that flows through my being. Determination is my favorite trait, because it creates results.

Legacy is the continuation of a person after death. If the world, community, and families are a vast body of water, and their life is a tossed stone, legacy would be the ripple. Beliefs, talents, culture, and passions are inherited or greatly influenced by one’s family. Legacy contributes to family dynamics, and supports family values. I believe that legacy connects our past with our future. I am made from the legacy of my ancestors, and I greatly respect this connection. A favorite legacy of mine would be that my family comes from a long line of outdoor enthusiasts. This love for hunting, fishing, camping, and boating has been passed down for more generations than I know. These activities I consider hobbies were once a way of life for my ancestors. Their knowledge is invaluable. My upbringing, pared with inherited traits continue to shape the person I am. I am blessed to have loving parents that have helped mold me into who I am. My upbringing was positive. My parents modeled healthy behavior and choices. My parents took from experiences of their own upbringing to create their own parenting style. They raised me to be honest, kind, and hardworking, all products of their legacy. They exposed me to so many different experiences and ideas. They supported my interests and talents, and encouraged me in all endeavors. My parents disciplined me when needed. They taught me how to love, how to grieve, and how to overcome challenges. Most importantly, they taught me how to not need them. Independence is a highly valued trait in my family. It is a trait I am determined to preserve so it’s importance will not be watered down in subsequent generations. Embracing one’s legacy is also acknowledging the mistakes of the past and choosing not to repeat them. My Grandmother broke the cycle of horrific child abuse, and grew to become the most caring, loving parent. My mother broke the cycle of alcohol and drug abuse by past family members, and embraces a healthy lifestyle. My parents chose to emulate the positive aspects of their upbringing, and discontinue negative practices. Families who follow this example improve their legacy for future generations. These families will produce more successful, moral, stable, and contributing individuals. I will continue in their footsteps. Breaking unhealthy cycles and learning from the past mistakes of others creates stronger, healthier families. The stories passed down to me motivate me to make good choices. I will continue the is legacy. I am the product of the mistakes and triumphs of my family, and I am thankful. Every generation learns from the one before, and I was raised with knowledge gained from many before me.

Mental health is incredibly important. It is just as important as physical health. Having great mental health drastically improves quality of life. Mental health is something one must nourish and care for. Every essence of our being is intertwined with our mental health. It’s vital to navigating our lives. It defines how we perceive ourselves and others. It shapes and manipulates our well being. Having good mental health is essential to survival. Possessing good mental health is key to a happy, successful life. It fuels our ability to function. It is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends and partners. It assists with every aspect of our lives. Just like maintaining great physical health, mental health takes work also. Committing to eating healthy, and exercising benefit both. One can train their body and brain. Getting adequate sleep is crucial. At times, good mental health often takes a little more work though. Counseling, therapy and medication is often needed, and there is a vast variety of options available. With the availability of so many different programs and medication, one should never accept defeat. Help is available! Relaxing techniques, eliminating stress, laughing, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones helps tremendously. Positive thinking, meditating, and taking time for self care is important too. Sometimes just a change of scenery, a change for the senses is all that’s needed to promote wellness. I value my mental health, and there are many ways I maintain mine. I work extremely hard, and I have a very demanding schedule. To avoid getting overwhelmed, I like to plan out my time wisely. I choose not to cause myself unneeded stress by procrastinating. I take breaks when I feel my concentration fading. I celebrate each accomplishment. When I feel myself slipping into a funk, I have solutions. I seek out and spend time with my animals. I watch funny videos. I go for a ride on my ATV or snowmobile depending on the season. I meet up with friends. I make fun plans to look forward to. I spend time with my family. All these activities have a positive effect on my mood. Having good mental health is so very important. I want to be successful in my future endeavors at college, in my future career, and in my future relationships. I know the only way I will achieve the level of success I desire is to maintain and care for my mental health.

This last year has provided so many opportunities for growth and change. I have experienced many situations that inspired and required me to mature and evolve. One unfortunate situation in particular was a catalyst to personal growth. Days after I turned 16, I was hired for my first real job. I worked 3 hours everyday after school during the school year, and 6 hours a day during the summer months. My previous knowledge and skills were much appreciated. I became a valued employee. I greatly enjoyed my work, and I had great relationships with my bosses. I was treated like an adult there, and I always felt respected. I was content. I happily worked there for over a year until I started noticing worrisome occurrences. My bosses started showing up to work late, and as the weeks went on, I often worked alone. I was concerned. One day, our internet wasn’t working. The bills were not getting paid. I started receiving my paychecks late. I became increasingly stressed, but felt like I didn’t have a choice. I silently accepted my late checks. A paycheck bounced. I was extremely frustrated and disappointed. Later that week, I was issued another check that included the fee I was charged for the returned check. I started cashing my checks where the business banks. Then, another check bounced. The stress of not knowing when or if I would get paid became too much to bear. I felt let down by the people I trusted. I tried holding out hope that conditions would approve, but I felt my patience was being taken advantage of. I was done. I have never liked confrontation, but I had to stand up for myself. I knew this was not a professional or even legal way of conducting business. I had to let my feelings of frustration be known. It was difficult, but I quit. As emotional as that experience was, it gave me new insight on my character. I gained confidence in my ability to advocate for myself. I quickly grew to understand how important it is to not let an employer take advantage of my kindness. I grew stronger. The relief I experienced paired with my new found voice was quite an exhilarating feeling. I now feel much more capable to handle challenges in the workplace. I am now working for another business, making twice as much as I was. I value my worth as an employee, and so does my boss. I have learned to set firm boundaries, and I am again content at work. The best journey to self discovery often comes from successfully navigating and overcoming challenges. I may have lost a job I loved, but I gained confidence and an entirely new respect for myself. Our experiences in life shape our character, and I welcome these opportunities to grow.

Generational wealth is part of the legacy you leave behind. It’s a product of hard work pared with smart financial decisions. This wealth is a gift of security and prosperity for generations to follow. I plan to contribute to my future family’s generational wealth, just as my parents will contribute to me. My father was raised by a single mom, and they struggled financially. The challenges of his childhood motivated him to provide well for our family. He works incredibly hard. His hard work will continue to benefit my siblings and I after my parents pass away. I greatly respect my parent’s willingness and determination to take care of us financially. Generational wealth is accumulated and grown by carefully managing assets. One must be financially responsible and knowledgeable to do so. Carefully accumulating credit, staying away from debt, and investing are ways to preserve wealth to invest in future generations. Experienced financial advisors are also key to maintaining and growing wealth. Traditions and knowledge are passed done generation by generation. Parents need to educate their children on good spending habits, budgeting, investing, credit, and debt. I am thankful my parents have educated me on these topics. Family discussions about money are very important. Being the oldest, I will be the future executor of my parent’s estate. My parents have had many honest conversations with me about their assets. I know about their income, investments, and net worth. I am very grateful for the knowledge my parents have instilled in me. My parents work hard to build up a wealth they can share, and this is something I strongly appreciate. However, the money I will eventually inherit will never truly feel like my own. It will be my job to respectfully care for these funds, and I will do so in an extremely responsible way. This is a gift that I will cherish and add to. I am a very motivated person with high goals for myself. I am currently working 30-35 hours a week to save money for college while attending high school, taking 3 college classes, and applying to as many scholarships as I can. I am determined to fund my college education with accumulating as little debt as possible. I know with the degree I’m pursuing, and my work ethic, I will be successful in my future career. This success will translate into the accumulation of wealth. I too want to leave money for future generations. I will follow in the footsteps of my parents. I will use the knowledge they lovingly passed down to me to manage my own money. Generational wealth is an investment in the financial well being of subsequent generations. My contribution will be a continuation of my parent’s hard work and so on. This passing down of wealth is a gift that should not be taken advantage of. These assets should be appreciated, carefully managed, and added to. Through this process, the growth of wealth will add financial security for for many future generations.

I am a positive force in my community for many reasons. I enjoy volunteering. I am a good influence in my social circle, and I am a great role model to my three younger siblings. I stand up for what is right. Giving back to the community is something I feel strongly about. I volunteer through the National Honor Society I belong to, and at my former elementary school. In grade school, I had many caring, devoted teachers. They challenged me and provided me with opportunities to advance beyond grade level. I am so incredibly grateful for the education I received at that small rural elementary school. That school gave me so much, and I greatly enjoy volunteering there as a way to give back. I have spent many, many hours volunteering at our local Boys and Girls Club. I highly value education, and I enjoy tutoring students who need extra instruction. Helping children is the best way to invest in the future of our communities. I am the friend parents want their children to have. I am the voice of reason, the positive influence of my social circle. I always make good, safe, mature decisions, and I urge my friends to do so as well. I have three younger sisters that look up to me. Being a positive role model to them is a job I take seriously. I look out for them, and keep them safe. I help them with homework, and talk with them about any social problems they encounter. My moral compass is often much different than my peers. I am kind, honest, and responsible. I have never had any disciplinary issues throughout my entire school career. I am quiet, but I will not tolerate hate of any kind. I attend a fairly diverse school, and racism can often be a problem. I recently had to alert school admin when a group project I participated in turned rather ugly. Classmates changed shared documents to spew racist remarks and added offensive pictures. I am a minority, and I stand up for all. I will not tolerate bullying, hate speech, or racism. Our society is incredibly divided. I try to do my part to unify my peers by urging acceptance of those who think different, look different, or behave different. I truly hope my positive approach influences those around me to be more kind. Our society needs kindness. I will continue to be a positive influence throughout my life. It is in my nature, a part of my personality. I will model appropriate, compassionate behavior throughout the rest of my education journey and then into the workplace. I aim to be a positive force in my community, family, and social circle. Our communities need people like myself to help steer towards unification. I strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

I am most passionate about my education. I work incredibly hard, and I make so many sacrifices to ensure I receive the best education possible. I am determined to earn grades I am proud of. I am hopeful I can earn enough money through employment and scholarships to lessen the burden of paying for college myself. I currently have a GPA of 3.77. I take challenging classes that will prepare me for college. I took my first college math class when I was 14 years old. I participate in any opportunity I can to further my education. I am dual enrolled in my local college, taking 3 classes. I will graduate high school with at least 18 college credits. I will also graduate with the equivalent of seven years of math. This definitely demonstrates my passion for and commitment to my education. I want to attend a college with an excellent engineering program, so I work 30-35 hours a week to save money for tuition. I research and apply for as many scholarships as time allows. My schedule is extremely full, but I’m passionate about achieving my dream of receiving a mechanical engineering degree from a respected college. Facing obstacles in the journey to college is a very common occurrence for students. I have learned to be stubbornly ambitious, focused, and unwavering in my determination. I’ve had to endure incredibly difficult classes, lack of free time, sometimes overwhelming schedule commitments, and judgement from less motivated peers. I have learned how to successfully overcome each challenge, and this has prepared me to face the next set of challenges in the future. I am confident in my ability to stay true to my priorities despite any setbacks I will undoubtedly encounter. Giving back to the community is something I feel strongly about. I volunteer through the National Honor Society I belong to, and at my former elementary school. I have spent many, many hours volunteering at our local Boys and Girls Club. As I have stated before, I highly value education. I enjoy tutoring students who need extra instruction. In the future, I would like to continue helping students achieve academic success. Helping children is the best way to invest in the future of our communities. I am passionate about a variety of things, but my education is most important at this stage of my life. I know that receiving the best possible will contribute to my future success. I am determined to become a successful, innovative engineer, so I can make a positive impact on the industry, and hopefully the world as well.

My future career will be in mechanical engineering. This is a career that will allow me to use the skills I’ve developed through experience and school. It is a career I will greatly enjoy. I decided on this career when I was 11 years old. I applied and was accepted in to the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program. I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. It was at this program where I discovered I could use my skills in math, science, and mechanics in an occupation. An engineering career was a clear best choice for me. I enjoy studying how things work, and I am quite mechanically inclined. I have collected much knowledge through my hobbies of riding power sport vehicles, and through the preforming maintenance and repairs of these vehicles. I also work on my truck, and have experience in small engine repair. My work experience continues to give me a wealth of mechanical and tool knowledge and has increased my troubleshooting skills. These skills will allow me to achieve success as a mechanical engineer. After I graduate with my engineering degree, I would like to quickly find employment where I can use my skills to my fullest ability. I want to be successful in my career, and to me, that means the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired will be highly valued by my place of employment. I want to have a career where I can consistently make a difference in how my employer’s company operates. I want my work to be efficient, cost effective, and functional. I could then use my skills to start my own business. I enjoy learning and seeking out new knowledge. I work hard, set goals, and I frequently challenge myself. I have very high expectations of myself. These attributes will allow me to succeed in my occupation. I often spot design flaws, and I brainstorm and come up with alternative designs. As an engineer, I will strive make these flaws less of a common nuisance. Longevity and quality options are what our world needs. Our society produces entirely too much waste, and I want to improve our world by lessoning this amount. I want to be an innovative and creative engineer. I want any positive impact I make on the world through my career to be an outcome of good designing. I want to make the world an easier place to live in by having more efficient products and services. Making a positive impact in my community, world, and environment is something I aspire to achieve. I know it is possible through dedication and hard work. I will be successful in this endeavor.

Going above and beyond is a reoccurring theme in my life. I highly value education, and I work incredibly hard to get the best grades I can possibly achieve. I have a very demanding schedule, but I manage it well. I have a great work ethic, and I am valued at my place of employment. Starting in grade school, I was focused on getting a good education. I challenged myself, and worked to become two years ahead in math. My test scores and grades were always above average. The summer after 9th grade, I applied and was accepted into my third academy through the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program. I always jump on any opportunity to enhance my learning. This program gave me the opportunity to take an online math class through the University of Alaska Anchorage at no cost. I was excited to start accumulating college credits, so I took college algebra. This was to be a 5 week course, but after a myriad of technology issues, only 4 weeks were left for actual instruction. I was tasked with the challenge to cover a semester’s worth of material in 4 short weeks. This class was incredibly difficult. The workload and time commitment consumed every waking minute of my day. I averaged 15 hours spent studying, note taking, and completing homework. I started my day at 7:00 AM, and some days I would not finish until 11:00. Still, I persisted. I successfully passed the class. When the Covid epidemic hit, my family decided to homeschool. I am very responsible and self motivated, so I easily completed my work with little to no instruction. After finishing my classes, I would help my mom teach my three little sisters. I have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.77. I take difficult classes to better prepare myself for college. This demonstrates my commitment to my education and the determination I have to achieve good grades. I am currently dual enrolled in my local college. Along with my high school classes, I’m taking three college classes also. I am taking Calculus 1, and I will take Calculus 2 next semester to get a jumpstart on my mechanical engineering degree requirements. I will graduate high school with the equivalent of seven years of math. This is definitely going above and beyond the graduation requirement of 3 years. I plan on graduating high school with a least 18 college credits. I started looking for employment the day I received my drivers license. I was hired for my first real job a few days later. I worked for a company that parted out broken powersport vehicles, outboard motors, and boilers to sell useable parts online. My knowledge of mechanics was valuable to my employer, and I became a valued team member. My boss actually decided to change the business’ hours of operation during the school year, so I could continue to work for them. I now work for a different business, clocking in 30-35 hours a week. Thankfully my boss appreciates my work ethic, and I am able to work around my school schedule. I am a member of The National Honor Society, and I make time to volunteer in my community, at my former elementary school, and I also tutor. As one can see, my schedule is incredibly demanding. I do not have much free time, but my priorities are my education and working to save money for school. I consistently go way above and beyond expectations to achieve my goals. This will help me obtain my degree and have a successful future career.

After I graduate from high school, I will be pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. This career will use skills I have, and skills I am eager to learn. Engineering is a job I will succeed in, and enjoy doing in the process. It’s the perfect STEM career choice for me. I am from a small rural community in Alaska. As a child, I was outside every day, whether it was designing and building forts in the woods, or riding snowmobiles in the millions of acres of land right outside my door. This type of lifestyle made me mechanically inclined at a young age. At the age of five, my favorite RC truck quit working. I completely tore the toy apart and was able to find the issue. The gears in the transmission were not aligning properly. I adjusted them, and my favorite toy was working like new. This was a significant experience. It sparked a desire to learn as much as I could about how things work. In kindergarten, I realized I had an aptitude for math. I taught myself multiplication and started memorizing times tables. Math was something that always came easy to me. I was a year ahead, and I took my first college class at 15 years old through the Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program. When I was 11, I was nominated to apply for the Alaskan Native Science and engineering program. I had to write an essay, have excellent behavior, and had to have above average test scores to get in. After I was accepted, I spent twelve days living on campus like a real college student. I participated in many hands-on STEM activities. I realized that I could use my talent in math and mechanical experience in an occupation I would enjoy. I knew from then on that my calling was to become a mechanical engineer. I would later attend ANSEP two more times, and it only strengthened my desire to become an engineer. Picking my future profession at this young age helped me tailor my education to best prepare me for an engineering degree. Days after I received my driver's license, I was hired for my first real job. I worked for a company that parted out broken powersport vehicles, outboard motors, and boilers to sell useable parts online. My knowledge of mechanics was valuable to my employer, and I became a valued team member. My boss actually decided to change the business’ hours of operation during the school year, so I could continue to work for them. I came in with mechanical knowledge, but I left with a much greater wealth of knowledge and troubleshooting skills. After over a year of saving, I custom ordered a new Can-Am Outlander. When it arrived, I was thrilled to go out on my first ride, but I noticed a design flaw. After riding it through one mud hole, the radiator clogged and overheated. So, I developed my own way to successfully mitigate the issue. I bought fender liners from a different model and adapted them to fit. I made a blocker plate for the bottom of the grill and a mesh screen to block the mud. In total I fixed this for less than $50, and my friend fixed his for over $400. My hobbies demonstrate my passion and talent for mechanical work and design. My background provides me with the hands-on skills I need to build my foundation to be great engineer.

My favorite Disney character has always been Lightening McQueen from the Disney/Pixar movies. This was the first movie I attached myself to, and I watched it on repeat. I memorized the dialog and acted out scenes. When I was older, I appreciated the depth of the characters, and enjoyed watching Lighting’s character learn and evolve. The only toys I played with for years were from the movies Cars. My Lightening McQueen car was always the fastest, and is now well worn from years of races and crashes. My creativity was fine tuned as I built elaborate race tracks and garages to house my beloved cars and trucks. Lightening’s character changed so much throughout the movie. In the beginning he was egotistical, spoiled, and self centered. He was entitled and didn’t understand the value of hard work. As the movie progresses, he learns to be a better person. He learns to care for and respect others. He learns ambition and determination. The lessons and experiences he acquires transforms him into a much more successful and virtuous race car. This story line is a fantastic example of personal growth. I did not fully understand the plot as a toddler, but I grew to appreciate the message it conveys. I have had several Lightening McQueen themed birthday parties. In fact, my last birthday also followed this same theme. For my 17th birthday, my last party as a ”Kid,” my Mom planned quite the party. My cake, tableware and decorates all played tribute to my favorite childhood character. I even had a photo backdrop complete with props. My friends and I posed for ridiculous pictures. Great fun was had, and I will always fondly remember this party. I still have many of my Cars toys, especially the Lightening McQueen ones. That shiny red car will always have a special place in my heart. He was a huge part of my young life.

Having dogs as companions has made such a positive impact on my life. I was 9 months old when my family adopted our first dog. She was a loving, but slightly neurotic bundle of energy. She was my first best friend. I have had three amazing canine buddies in my life so far. Jetta was 8 weeks old when she joined our family. We were both babies, so we grew up and learned together. She was a sweet, but stubborn thing. She was a pure bred Karelian Bear dog that loved to give me hugs. My first chore was caring for her by feeding and watering her. This was my first lesson in responsibility. Jetta’s litter mate was not adopted. He had a health problem that was tended to and corrected, but no one wanted him still. A few weeks after we welcomed Jetta into our family, her brother, Junior, joined us as well. He was a strong, but gentle dog. Having two of these stubborn bear dogs proved to be quite an adventure. This dynamic duo always left a path of destruction in their wake. No valve stem or wiring harness was safe from these mischievous beasts. It must have been an inconvenience for my parents, but to me it was a great source of hilarious entertainment. I live in a rural area of Alaska, where dangerous wild animals also make their home. I didn’t need to worry about these animals catching me unaware when I played outside. Jetta and Junior instinctively alerted to their presence, saving me many times from any close encounters. I felt safe with them. Junior passed away when we were both 8 years old. His death was my first experience with grief. Jetta lived a very long life. She made it to 14 years of age before my family and I made the incredibly emotional decision to put her down. At the very beginning of the Covid epidemic, we adopted an 8 week old English mastiff puppy, Diesel. We picked him up from the airport December 26th. My parents had been looking for a puppy like him for many months and didn’t intend to get him as a Christmas present, but I consider him the best gift ever. This enormous, goofy dog brightened the dark days of what felt like being under house arrest. We switched to homeschool, and Diesel was definitely the class clown. His giant, lazy, but loving presence was a much needed distraction from all that Covid took away. He came intro our family at the most perfect time. Diesel does not know my name. He knows me as “Brother.” He is incredibly spoiled, and I’m fairly certain he has no idea that he’s even a dog. He’s a sibling. I guess my mom will still have a son when I leave for college next fall. I’m so incredibly thankful I grew up knowing the love, joy, and sometimes chaos having a dog brings. My childhood was much better for it. My dogs, past, present, and future, will always be an important piece of my life.

My dream is to attend a college with an excellent engineering program, one with many hands on opportunities to gain experience from. I want to be a successful mechanical engineer, who contributes innovative and respected ideas. My dream is to be happy, financially stable, and giving.

I wish I could say that I don’t relate to Cat Zingano’s story of loss, and her determination to turn her grief into something meaningful, but I do. I too have experienced the devastating loss of a cherished loved one, my Grandma. We called her Grandma Sunshine, and she was truly a light in my life. The all consuming despair of grief feels like fighting to stay afloat in a raging sea. I chose to fight to be like the person she was. When I was nine years old, my beloved Grandma was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer. Shortly after, she underwent an intensive, risky surgery. This was deemed a success, and she was considered cancer free. Her recovery was lengthy, but we celebrated this huge milestone. Life was simple perfection. A little over a year later, her health took a turn for the worst. Our hopes shattered. The cancer was back, and at stage four, her chances for survival were minimal. It was a cruel reality to endure. She bravely fought for 8 months, until the cancer stole her from me. My Grandma was the most kind, loving person, and she was gone. I’m not sure what brought me more pain, losing her, or watching my mom sink into the depths of her grief. I’ve always been a sort of peculiar child, a child too mature for my years. Even though I was only 11, I decided I needed to fight to be strong for my family. I dealt with my grief through anger. I was angry such a selfless person could have their life taken so young. I was enraged that such a gentle, sweet person suffered. I harnessed that anger and turned it into determination. I fought and still fight to be the person she knew I was and will continue to be. I am stronger for this, and I’ve learned how to cope with the trauma of losing someone so special. Her love and lessons influence my being. Her life and untimely death will forever be entwined in my desire to be more. Her death taught me to focus on the big, important details of life. Everything else seems so insignificant in comparison. I focus on what truly matters, my family, friends, and education. I focus on enjoying life to the fullest extent possible, because life can be unexpectedly short. I focus on achieving everything she knew I am capable of. My Grandma Sunshine was always proud of my accomplishments. Through my pain, I still succeeded in school. I was a stable constant to my three younger sisters. I am determined to continue to make her proud, as I’m convinced she is watching down on me. I will be attending college soon, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering just as she envisioned me doing. I work 30 hours/week, and I have a GPA of 3.77. I will graduate high school with at least 18 college credits. I work incredibly hard. I fight for my success, because I’m alive to. I fight, because she taught me how to. I fight to be an ambitious, honest, and kind person in her memory. She had the heart of a fighter, and her legacy influences everything I strive for.