My enjoyment for problem-solving and tinkering stems from my childhood. It all started with my grandpa's Xbox 360 and his self-made PC. Those weekends at my grandparents I was exposed to various genres and techniques, from first-person shooters to learning combination attacks with a controller in Mortal Kombat. These all impacted my desire to find solutions by introducing me to leveling up and the journey of learning. Providence High School allowed me to explore my passion in depth through the Technology Program. The program allowed me to exercise these skills through coding with JavaScript or Python, customizing VEX robots in class and on the robotics competition team, finding my undeniable fondness for laser cutting using the program's Boss Laser, learning to 3D model and print with Fusion 360, and learning dimensional analysis with 2D sketching. The program has also given me opportunities to explore some of the most successful technology companies in the world. Around early 2023, my freshman year, I had the chance to visit California's Silicon Valley, visiting Google headquarters, the Apple Park Visitor Center, and the Intel museum. Later, during my sophomore year in 2024, I got to visit Disneyland from the Imagineering Campus program. I got to go behind the scenes and learn about the engineering and mechanics behind iconic rides like Star Wars: Smugglers Run. These multi-day trips expanded my curiosity and fueled my motivation to understand the purpose of technology and how it functions. I was fortunate to share these significant memories with fellow students and to learn from some of the best teachers, like Mr. Albers and Dr. Nicdao. The Technology program taught me the importance of being creative and staying innovative in my own unique way. Reflecting on my high school career, I perceive all these skills and experiences like tools in a video game. I'm constantly upgrading my inventory to stimulate self-growth, not just to complete my school assignments, but to explore and challenge myself. This scholarship program will further bring my curiosity into depth by supporting my path of majoring in Mechanical Engineering based on the colleges I applied to. Though I understand that my major is quite difficult, the book Being Heumann by Judy Heumann has taught me the importance of persevering when doubt is brought upon me. The opportunity I may gain with financial support would further go into the world with my contributions to society as an inspiring Mechanical Engineer.

I always felt drawn to innovation and technology, which persuaded me to join the Maker Club in my freshman year. This club introduces students to equipment and machines owned by the Technology Program, such as 3D filament printers and laser cutters. The club is also supposed to offer support in self-driven projects. However, the club disbanded with little participation and only one meeting. At the same time, I was excelling in my game programming class and received a program award, so a senior in the class of 2024, Natalya, offered me a position in becoming the vice president to help revive the struggling club. I agreed with hesitation because I was unfamiliar with these advanced skills, but I knew this club had great potential. During my sophomore year, I worked closely with Natalya as my president and helped create school-wide events like making free Valentine's Day matching keychains for all interested students and designing Christmas ornaments with green and red acrylic on our Boss-Laser cutter for students to personalize and bring home. We also collaborated with the Black Student Union by 3D printing pumpkins for their Friendsgiving celebration. Little by little, the once inactive club started meeting twice a month during lunch periods and opened its doors to all students who were curious about technology. When Natalya graduated, I rose to the president position for my junior and senior years. Alongside my vice president, Oliver, we continued these annual events with renditions of our own, like our Halloween 3D modeling competition and our Senior send-off lunch honoring graduating members. By rebuilding the Maker club's foundation and creating a welcoming environment for students to explore technology, I've helped establish a community in my school that will continue thriving long after I graduate. Starting from the bottom and rising to the occasion is one of my strongest abilities. I solely believe that the freedom to pursue interests is a right everyone should exercise. In the summer before my sophomore year in 2023, I was cut from volleyball tryouts at my high school for the frosh/junior-varsity teams. I felt embarrassed because I played sports my whole life and had never been cut from a team by a coach. I had previously played volleyball in high school on a club team at Supernova during my freshman year and wanted to continue playing. This realization of what sports meant in my life is when I altered my disappointment into a new responsibility. I decided to get in contact with my middle-school St. Patrick's volleyball coach, Ms. Perez, and offer free support with developing the girls' A and B teams that summer-fall. This required three days of a minimum of 6 hours a week to help run practices, attend games, and rebirth the Lady Knights. The importance of this season resided in what I was providing for these girls. I gave them confidence with positive remarks, constant goals, and affirmations, and a deep connectedness through competition. I was allowing them to play a sport they love, and I know they loved this sport because they'd beg to play scrimmages even after conditioning for an hour in the sun. Even when some of my girls struggled with self-confidence, like Valerie, or felt inferior in strength to serve and hit a ball, like Ruby, I saw myself in these girls and was constantly reminded of the purpose of leading them. Eventually, I made my high school's volleyball team in my junior and senior years; however, I'll never forget the opportunity I gave the middle-school girls' volleyball team by giving them a chance to all play and become athletes.