For context, I am extremely fortunate. My home country has not been invaded. I’ve never been hungry or not had a warm bed or a loving family. The most significant challenge I have faced did not directly involve me, it only affects me. The person that it involves is my sister. We were born 17 months apart, making us close from the beginning. We did everything together and I looked up to her for leadership as she was my older sister. When she was 9 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease called Battens Disease. For the next few years, my parents exhausted themselves, looking for a cure or someone to help. All they ended up finding was brick wall after brick wall, endless dead ends. After a few years, they were able to find a treatment that didn’t reverse the disease but stopped the progression. The only problem was that the treatment was far from California, in Columbus, Ohio. I still remember when my parents and sister traveled for the first time, I didn’t fully grasp the reality of the situation. They left for a few months and my grandparents came down and took care of my two brothers and I. I had just started 7th grade, so I had new teachers and new classes. I had also only started at that school a year before in 6th grade, so I didn’t have many close friends. The school itself was also a lot more academically rigorous than my previous project-based school given it was an International Baccalaureate. Thinking back, that time felt like a blur, but in the moment I know it wasn’t. I was scared, sad, and lonely without half my family and all the changes made me really uncomfortable like I wasn’t at home anymore. To combat my feelings, I focused a lot on the small things in life. I remember becoming really focused on academics. I learned to compartmentalize the challenges and focus on things I could control and school was something within my control. It is only recently that I truly realized how challenging that period was for not only myself but my family. I am now learning from not only the difficult parts of that time but also the important lessons. That time in my life changed who I am as a person. It changed the way I approach challenges no matter their size or complexity. Whether it be a problem in school, in my family life, my horse causes a problem I always approach it the same way. I always try to stay centered and unbiased. If the problem is not fixable then I move on to other things and try not to let the problem leak into other parts of my life. That small period of my life taught me to be the person I am today. It helped teach me how to be successful in school and in life as a whole. That focusing on things within my control, like academics is a a positive and rewarding outlet to all of the challenges life throws at me.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world in both developed and developing nations. My mom's family is from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. We travel there every summer to visit family and bask in the natural beauty of Vermont. My passion for protecting the natural environment was inspired while playing with my siblings in brooks, skipping rocks, and searching for wild berries. My best memories involve towering trees, rolling green pastures, and pristine lakes. I want to ensure the natural world I fell in love with is there for my children and my children’s children. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. Snodgrass. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. With my mentor, I used resources from the National Energy Technology Laboratory's Carbon Capture and Storage Database and the application R Studio to compile data. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. My inspiration for pursuing STEM has come from seeing serious issues that are solvable using STEM, enjoying a world in which those issues don’t exist, and doing research that made me feel like I contributed to the bettering of our planet. This coming summer I will be attending Cornell University and specifically the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience, and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. The value CALS places on purpose purpose-driven science and purposeful discovery will build upon my academic foundation and contribute to my desire to face some of the world’s pressing environmental issues. In the end, I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. S. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. I’m excited to further explore my interests through courses like Atmospheric Chemistry: From Air Pollution to Global Change taught by Professor Hess and Engineering Processes for Environmental Sustainability taught by Professor Goldfarb. I’m especially excited to possibly work in Professor Goldfarb’s Lab, as I find fascinating her advancements in sustainable processes such as turning organic waste into renewable biofuels. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. S. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. I’m excited to further explore my interests through courses like Atmospheric Chemistry: From Air Pollution to Global Change taught by Professor Hess and Engineering Processes for Environmental Sustainability taught by Professor Goldfarb. I’m especially excited to possibly work in Professor Goldfarb’s Lab, as I find fascinating her advancements in sustainable processes such as turning organic waste into renewable biofuels. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. S. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. I’m excited to further explore my interests through courses like Atmospheric Chemistry: From Air Pollution to Global Change taught by Professor Hess and Engineering Processes for Environmental Sustainability taught by Professor Goldfarb. I’m especially excited to possibly work in Professor Goldfarb’s Lab, as I find fascinating her advancements in sustainable processes such as turning organic waste into renewable biofuels. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. With grace and all who love me, I have lived a very fortunate life. Although not directly impacted, I have faced indirect challenges. When my older sister was nine years old, she was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease called Atypical Battens Disease. For the next few years, my parents exhausted themselves, looking for a cure or someone to help. Eventually, my parents were able to find a treatment that slowed the progression. The problem was the treatment center was located in Columbus, Ohio. I remember when my parents and sister traveled for the first time. They left for a few months and my grandparents cared for my two brothers and me. During this time, I remember becoming really focused on academics. I learned to compartmentalize the challenges and focus on things I could control and school was something within my control. It is only recently (during the college application process) that I truly realized how challenging that period was for not only myself but my family. That time helped teach me how to be successful in school by focusing on things within my control, like academics. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. S. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. I’m excited to further explore my interests through courses like Atmospheric Chemistry: From Air Pollution to Global Change taught by Professor Hess and Engineering Processes for Environmental Sustainability taught by Professor Goldfarb. I’m especially excited to possibly work in Professor Goldfarb’s Lab, as I find fascinating her advancements in sustainable processes such as turning organic waste into renewable biofuels. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. S. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. I’m excited to further explore my interests through courses like Atmospheric Chemistry: From Air Pollution to Global Change taught by Professor Hess and Engineering Processes for Environmental Sustainability taught by Professor Goldfarb. I’m especially excited to possibly work in Professor Goldfarb’s Lab, as I find fascinating her advancements in sustainable processes such as turning organic waste into renewable biofuels. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.

Fifteen miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport sits a massive oil-refining facility owned by Phillips 66. The facility straddles the cities of Carson and Wilmington producing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty-four hours a day towering smokestacks emit fire and gray smoke into the air of the surrounding communities and ultimately polluting our local oceans. I live a few miles from the refinery. In the mornings when the fog hangs low, we can sometimes smell the acrid waste from the refinery. People living in the surrounding communities have experienced some of the highest rates of cancer and asthma in California. Seeing the detrimental effects of this environmental pollution firsthand has helped spark my passion and drive to pursue environmental engineering. I want to be part of the solution to these and similar environmental problems affecting all manner of people around the world, our oceans and air. From Kindergarten through sixth grade I attended an alternative, project-based school. We studied the importance of natural ecosystems and were taught the value of preserving our environment. The more I learned about our sensitive oceans, air and land, the more I wanted to help address the world’s most serious environmental issues. My favorite High School teacher is my chemistry teacher, Mr. S. He inspired my passion for chemistry, which led to a research paper I authored analyzing differences between amines and other solvents in industrial carbon capture and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. At the end of the project, I concluded there was no significant difference in the efficiency of amines versus other solvents with a P value of 0.14 resulting from the Turkey t-test. I also concluded that despite amines being more popular they possibly introduced additional contaminants. Earlier this month, I was very fortunate to learn that I have been admitted to Cornell University (specifically, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)) to study Environmental Engineering. I believe that an education from CALS and Cornell University will help me achieve my goals of being part of the solution to environmental issues encountered worldwide by exposing me to a collaborative diverse community full of people who have made incredible strides in environmental conservation, rejuvenation, and protection. I’m excited to further explore my interests through courses like Atmospheric Chemistry: From Air Pollution to Global Change taught by Professor Hess and Engineering Processes for Environmental Sustainability taught by Professor Goldfarb. I’m especially excited to possibly work in Professor Goldfarb’s Lab, as I find fascinating her advancements in sustainable processes such as turning organic waste into renewable biofuels. I believe that with the help of this scholarship, Cornell will provide me with the tools, experience and support to become and help lead the next generation of environmental engineers. I want to make certain that the people like those living next to the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Carson don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals or their children suffering from asthma or cancer.