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Gabriel Ruiz

1,535

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

My favorite subject, which inspired me to pursue Education, was astronomy, as well as atmospheric and Ocean sciences. Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by space and learning about different planets, particularly exoplanets. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The film was called "October Sky," about a boy named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I regained my motivation while watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as skilled in something you aspire to be, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and fulfill my dream of working for NASA, no matter what.

Education

California State University-Fullerton

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Finance and Financial Management Services
    • Marine Sciences
    • Biology, General
  • Minors:
    • Physics

Adelanto High School

High School
2020 - 2024

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
    • Botany/Plant Biology
    • Mathematics and Computer Science
    • Business/Commerce, General
    • Environmental Geosciences
    • Marine Sciences
    • Physics
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Environmental Services

    • Dream career goals:

      Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences

      Arts

      • Adelanto High School

        Drawing
        Drawings, Painting
        2022 – 2023

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Adelanto High School — My role is to help setup and takedown decorations, make sure everything is in check for students to enjoy the events, and make videos of the events to post on social media so we can have an even bigger turn out of support.
        2023 – 2024

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Solgaard Scholars: Access Oceanic Studies for LGBTQ+ Students
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      SnapWell Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I never thought that I could though because I was the only kid for many years in my class who had trouble reading, or was chubby, and I could do as much as the other kids, but I studied, worked hard, and improved my health as soon as I start to work out which lead me to a plan for my life. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Future Green Leaders Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Hines Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Abran Arreola-Hernandez Latino Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Barreir Opportunity Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you. PS. for the home picture, that's one of many homes we lived in, we rent and sometimes something went wrong, or the landlord sold the house so we had to move house to house most of my life.
      Carlos F. Garcia Muentes Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Fund the Future Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Chadwick D. McNab Memorial Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      All Chemical Transport Empowering Future Excellence Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Learner Math Lover Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses.
      Learner Calculus Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      STEAM Generator Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Emerging Leaders in STEM Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Jay Curry Eternal Garden Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      SigaLa Education Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      FLIK Hospitality Group’s Entrepreneurial Council Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Environmental Kindness Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Area 51 Miners Sustainability and Geoscience Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate some financial assistance for my education. Thank you.
      Thomas Griffin Wilson Memorial Scholarship
      My name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am 19 years old, and my dream is to one day work for NASA. I am currently a college student at California State University, Fullerton, double majoring in Biological Science with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Physics, and also pursuing a Pre-Business degree to obtain a degree in Business Finance. Additionally, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Biology, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and then a Master's degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics. I may also join the Military once I am done with my Bachelor's degree to serve as I work on getting my Master's degree to hopefully pay for the rest of my education and earn my pilot license while learning new skills and, currently, the fields I am looking at are the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force just like my brother. When I first fell in love with Astronomy, working for NASA, and overall wanting to help the environment, was when I watched the movie WALL-E for the first time as a child. This movie was about a robot named Wall-E, who befriended another robot named Eve, embarking on an adventure that ultimately aimed to return humanity to Earth. The other reason I include this in my essay is that this is the real world; there are lands and fields of trash around the world. According to estimates, by 2050, the ocean may contain more plastic than fish, posing a significant risk to marine life. I want to be one of many who are fighting to prevent this disaster from happening now and in the future. Other things about me are that I love to garden, cook, bake, and go to the gym to stay healthy and fit, but most importantly, improve my mental health. I also love playing sports like Tennis and pickleball. When I was in High School, I was a member of ASB, a Video editor for my school's Social Media, and part of the AVID program, chess club, and page-turner club. For my next year of college at CSUF, I plan to be involved with ASI, join a tennis or volleyball club, or complete additional community service hours while also working to fund my expenses. This brings me to why I need financial assistance. I come from a low-income household with a Mother who works very hard to make just enough. She assists me with other matters but cannot provide financial support. When it comes to my dad, he has provided me with barely any help throughout my life. He worked in different states and just was not in my life most of the time. He sends me some money every other month, but I have to ask multiple times, saying that he forgot, or his card is not working, or any other excuse he can think of. It has been challenging, and I would appreciate financial assistance for my education, I believe this scholarship will help me, Thank you.
      Rod Tucci Memorial Scholarship
      An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Sunshine Legall Scholarship
      My academic goal subject is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Powering The Future - Whiddon Memorial Scholarship
      Throughout most of my life, I couldn't read as well as the other kids in my class and had a hard time reading out loud, feeling every person's eye on me while I did my best to read a simple word my brain couldn't process. Fourth grade got worse because I started having to read out loud when it came to popcorn reading or getting picked to read from the textbook our teacher gave us to learn about history. My parents weren't around much, and my cousins lived down the hill. The only family who was around was my brothers, but they didn't want to help me at home. As the years went on from 4th grade to 8th, I got better at a slow past. My parents weren't supportive, mainly my mom, so I just had me at home. I did get help from teachers at my elementary and middle school, but they didn't help me as much as I thought they would. I still took the opportunity to try to improve my reading with them, but nothing much happened. I started to worry about my reading when I went to high school. I would have more classes with more kids, and more worrying about reading out loud. But then something started happening as time went on from freshman through Sophomore year. I started watching shows and reading the captions because they were in different languages, I started reading articles about space and NASA that I found interesting and even started reading more in class. I improved my reading skills by doing all these activities and finally understanding my work in my classes. My Junior year was when I started presenting more to my classes, which helped improve my reading skills even more. I can now read out loud to a class and not feel as scared or as unclear anymore. I now believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and better for civilization and organisms.
      Brotherhood Bows Scholarship
      Throughout most of my life, I couldn't read as well as the other kids in my class and had a hard time reading out loud, feeling every person's eye on me while I did my best to read a simple word my brain couldn't process. Fourth grade got worse because I started having to read out loud when it came to popcorn reading or getting picked to read from the textbook our teacher gave us to learn about history. My parents weren't around much, and my cousins lived down the hill. The only family who was around was my brothers, but they didn't want to help me at home. As the years went on from 4th grade to 8th, I got better at a slow past. My parents weren't supportive, mainly my mom, so I just had me at home. I did get help from teachers at my elementary and middle school, but they didn't help me as much as I thought they would. I still took the opportunity to try to improve my reading with them, but nothing much happened. I started to worry about my reading when I went to high school. I would have more classes with more kids, and more worrying about reading out loud. But then something started happening as time went on from freshman through Sophomore year. I started watching shows and reading the captions because they were in different languages, I started reading articles about space and NASA that I found interesting and even started reading more in class. I improved my reading skills by doing all these activities and finally understanding my work in my classes. My Junior year was when I started presenting more to my classes, which helped improve my reading skills even more. I can now read out loud to a class and not feel as scared or as unclear anymore. I now believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. The way I have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity was when I started to figure out what person I wanted to be in this world, and what I needed to do to get to that point in my life. So I started talking to my counselor about classes I could take, and grades I could make up by taking advantage of summer school. My counselor even told me about AVID to help me with college, and most importantly ASB, and how amazing it can look for college applications. I was so happy to hear about how there were more ways to make me feel more a part of my high school, not just for college but for me because I didn't feel like I was a part of my high school until Junior year when I started to feel happier and finally starting to figure out who I was and wanted to be in life. I probably would have figured out most of these things and who I wanted to be sooner if I had come as a freshman in this school and hadn't been as depressed when I lost most of my friends and good feelings throughout the pandemic. I would have cared about my grades sooner, tried harder, and even joined ASB and clubs earlier. I still wonder what would have been if I did go to school for Freshman year if they had talked to us about things like this, or if counselors had talked to me sooner about ASB and requirements for colleges and even clubs to make new friends. But I can't change the past, I can only move forward in life with what I have now, and I'm proud of how far I've gone already. An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Rick Levin Memorial Scholarship
      Throughout most of my life, I couldn't read as well as the other kids in my class and had a hard time reading out loud, feeling every person's eye on me while I did my best to read a simple word my brain couldn't process. Fourth grade got worse because I started having to read out loud when it came to popcorn reading or getting picked to read from the textbook our teacher gave us to learn about history. My parents weren't around much, and my cousins lived down the hill. The only family who was around was my brothers, but they didn't want to help me at home. As the years went on from 4th grade to 8th, I got better at a slow past. My parents weren't supportive, mainly my mom, so I just had me at home. I did get help from teachers at my elementary and middle school, but they didn't help me as much as I thought they would. I still took the opportunity to try to improve my reading with them, but nothing much happened. I started to worry about my reading when I went to high school. I would have more classes with more kids, and more worrying about reading out loud. But then something started happening as time went on from freshman through Sophomore year. I started watching shows and reading the captions because they were in different languages, I started reading articles about space and NASA that I found interesting and even started reading more in class. I improved my reading skills by doing all these activities and finally understanding my work in my classes. My Junior year was when I started presenting more to my classes, which helped improve my reading skills even more. I can now read out loud to a class and not feel as scared or as unclear anymore. I now believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. An academic subject that inspired me to keep on with my Education is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Heal Our World Software Scholarship
      An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Boun Om Sengsourichanh Legacy Scholarship
      An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Eco-Warrior Scholarship
      An academic subject that inspired me to achieve my goals are Astronomy and Math. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Once Upon a #BookTok Scholarship
      The ideal bookshelf, inspired by BookTok recommendations, is a carefully curated collection of books that captivate the reader’s imagination, provide thought-provoking content, and offer a sense of escapism. It is important to include a mix of genres, authors, and themes to cater to a diverse audience and spark meaningful conversations. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab This captivating novel tells the story of a young woman who makes a deal with death, only to be forgotten by everyone she meets. The book explores themes of immortality, love, and the human desire for connection, resonating deeply with the #BookTok community. “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone This poignant coming-of-age story addresses issues of race, police brutality, and the complexities of growing up in a society that often marginalizes people of color. The novel has sparked important conversations within the #BookTok community, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences and biases. “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne This steamy romantic comedy follows the professional rivalry between two coworkers who are vying for the same position. The book’s witty dialogue and engaging plot have made it a fan favorite on BookTok, with many readers recommending it for its unique take on office politics and the unpredictable nature of love. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han This beloved young adult romance series has captured the hearts of many BookTok users, thanks to its relatable protagonist, Lara Jean, and her journey of self-discovery and love. The series has inspired discussions on the complexities of relationships and the importance of self-acceptance. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid This enthralling novel follows the life of a Hollywood actress as she recounts her tumultuous journey through seven marriages. The book delves into themes of fame, identity, and the power of love, captivating readers and sparking numerous discussions on #BookTok. These must-have titles have had a significant impact on the BookTok community, fostering a sense of camaraderie among readers, and encouraging open discussions about themes such as love, identity, and societal issues. The community has also benefited from the recommendations of these books, discovering new authors and genres that they might not have otherwise explored. BookTok is a community on TikTok dedicated to discussing and recommending books, has numerous benefits for users. Firstly, it provides a platform for book lovers to share their favorite reads and discover new ones, fostering a sense of community and connection among bibliophiles. Additionally, BookTok has the potential to introduce diverse voices and perspectives in literature, promoting inclusivity and representation. Moreover, the engaging and creative content on BookTok can inspire individuals to explore different genres and expand their reading horizons. Overall, BookTok serves as an accessible and enjoyable resource for book enthusiasts.
      Linda Kay Monroe Whelan Memorial Education Scholarship
      A subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young, I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Fernandez Scholarship
      An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Shays Scholarship
      An academic subject that inspired me is Astronomy and A.O.S. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth. The major I want to get in to is Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences to help my path in bettering the world.
      William A. Stuart Dream Scholarship
      Ever since I was young I have always been interested in space and learning about different planets, mainly exoplanets. When I was young, I used to always like one thing and then get over it and move on to another activity. But when it came to cooking/baking, or Astronomy and learning about the cosmos, I still kept the subject in my heart. As time passed, life got in the way, and then the pandemic hit, making me feel depressed and losing all motivation in what I wanted to do with my life. It took time, but when it was the second semester of sophomore year, my Integrated Math 2 Teacher and chemistry teacher showed the class a movie I'll never forget. The movie was called October Sky, about a kid named Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam was a kid with a dream and a heart for Rocket Engineering. In 1981, Homer Hickam became an Aerospace engineer for NASA. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what. What truly started my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and explores the cosmos was when I watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but did not work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I will use this Scholarship to make sure I get my education to make it to my dreams because I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Janean D. Watkins Overcoming Adversity Scholarship
      The most significant academic challenge I have faced in my life was reading. Throughout most of my life, I couldn't read as well as the other kids in my class and had a hard time reading out loud, feeling every person's eye on me while I did my best to read a simple word my brain couldn't process. Fourth grade got worse because I started having to read out loud when it came to popcorn reading or getting picked to read from the textbook our teacher gave us to learn about history. My parents weren't around much, and my cousins lived down the hill. The only family who was around was my brothers, but they didn't want to help me at home. As the years went on from 4th grade to 8th, I got better at a slow past. My parents weren't supportive, mainly my mom, so I just had me at home. I did get help from teachers at my elementary and middle school, but they didn't help me as much as I thought they would. I still took the opportunity to try to improve my reading with them, but nothing much happened. I started to worry about my reading when I went to high school. I would have more classes with more kids, and more worrying about reading out loud. But then something started happening as time went on from freshman through Sophomore year. I started watching shows and reading the captions because they were in different languages, I started reading articles about space and NASA that I found interesting and even started reading more in class. I improved my reading skills by doing all these activities and finally understanding my work in my classes. My junior year was when I started presenting more to my classes, which helped improve my reading skills even more. I can now read out loud to a class and not feel as scared or as unclear anymore. I now believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. I gained my motivation back when watching this movie because it showed me that even if you're in a difficult situation and not as intelligent in something you want to be in now, it's okay. As long as you study, ask for help, talk with people, and keep going with a strong heart for what you are learning and love, you can achieve anything. I will use the time that I have to work hard and achieve my dream of working for NASA, no matter what.
      Environmental Stewardship Award
      What truly start my interest in gardening, learning about the unknown Universe, and just wanting to be a part of a team that helps the ecosystem and overall help the Environment was when I was very young and watched the movie WALL-E. When I first watched WALL-E I fell in love with it right then and there because of how important one plant was and how humanity created a home in space. But in time I realized how accurate it was to the real world. The world is shown as a destroyed trashed environment created by humans in the movie, and the only thing lifted was one plant, a sign of hope. They made a way to keep humans safe and left Earth, what was supposed to be a short trip to space became their new home. Humans created a way to clean the world as they were gone but didn't work out in the end. This reminded me about our world, what trouble it will be in the future, and no matter how much people try to tell others, the world continues to get worse. I want to be one of many who help the world by making it cleaner, safer, and not just for us but for other life and organisms. I want to be an explorer outside of Earth as well to better our knowledge of the unknown Universe and the home we call Earth.
      Gabriel Ruiz Student Profile | Bold.org