The first time I ever swing danced I nervous laughed until I hyperventilated, plowed headlong into my partner on three separate occasions, ended the night with a panic attack, and had a blast. Since I can remember, I have suffered from chronic anxiety. Usually, I avoid overstimulating environments whenever possible. If I had to go somewhere loud and flashy, I took frequent breaks to regulate myself or I’d trigger a deluge of symptoms: tunnel vision, disorientation, auditory processing problems, hyperventilation, I was the queen of malfunctioning at the function. Fortunately, I was generally alright if I stayed away from overstimulating situations. Unfortunately, my first week of college I was invited to do something that, despite my track record for anxiety and clumsiness, I’d always wanted to try: swing dancing. If one were to create a Venn diagram comparing the things that trigger my anxiety with the most important parts of swing dancing, they would find, as I did, that it creates a perfect circle. Lights, loud music, crowds, physical touch with strangers, spinning, it set me off faster than someone could say, “Watch out for that girl, she’s about to crash into you.” Despite my notable shortcomings as a dancer, I discovered that the other attendees were incredibly sweet. In between attempts on the dance floor, I became friends with the other freshmen, and even with some encouraging upper classmen. By the end of the night, though I was nauseous and disoriented, I realized I had fun and, more importantly, that I didn’t want my anxiety to hold me back from trying again. Over the next several weeks, I kept coming back. Fighting through symptoms, I slowly learned more moves, more people, and more ways to make a fool out of myself and laugh it off. By the end of the first month, with a decent repertoire of moves, a close group of friends, and a sprained wrist (don’t dance in heels on brick pavers, trust me), I discovered two things. First, I was the most physically fit I’d ever been, and second, I wasn’t getting overstimulated anymore. I felt confident like I never had before. It was about that time that I started to think back to my peers in high school. So many of my friends continued to suffer mental health problems. Though they enjoyed connection with their peers during the school year, isolating summers often turned bearable struggles into major crises. They needed a place to connect and stay active, somewhere they could enjoy learning something new. When I returned from school that first summer, I worked with my local Parks Department to book the town gym so I could host free swing dance nights. With the help of friends, I recruited a small group of students from the surrounding towns. None of them had ever swing danced before and, to my joy, they quickly picked it up, talking, laughing, and only occasionally falling over (they were fine, don’t worry). Soon, close friendships started to form, friendships that continued into the next school year. Just this past week, we started our second Summer of Swing. We are so excited to see where this year takes us. I am so grateful for what the club has taught me about leadership. I remember how scary it can be to go out on a limb and try something new. The best way to encourage others to take a risk like that is to laugh at myself when I make mistakes. By being my genuine self, I can show that even the clumsiest dancers can have a lot of fun.

Towns and cities across America are facing a crisis of community. There are many factors: growing distrust, increased isolation, and overreliance on digital communications. However, there is one factor that often goes overlooked: our infrastructure. I live in a small town in Maine restricted by a web of dangerous infrastructure. Low-density development and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Not only is this bad for the environment and costs millions in taxpayer dollars to maintain, it places an enormous burden on those who cannot afford a car and perpetuates an unwelcoming environment. Bad infrastructure trades local pride and a sense of place for empty parking lot deserts, faceless big-box stores, and a profound loss of community. I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. Three years ago, I became the first high schooler to intern for my local government. I worked as a graphic designer to explain and showcase new developments and bridge the gap between the government and the public. In June 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system, removing hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality, preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and allowing for higher density development. It is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving quality of life and protecting our environment for years to come. At 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to do both the graphic design for the groundbreaking and lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. It was a dream come true. Before working for my town, I thought the best way to serve my community was to become an engineer. However, I soon learned that the biggest battle to be fought was a battle of public perception. Infrastructure is often taken for granted. Many do not believe that change is important or possible. I decided to major in marketing so I could use design to advocate for change at the local and regional level. I would love to work for a non-profit such as The Bicycle Coalition of Maine or a for-profit company such as Toole Design, which specializes in designing and promoting walkable and bikeable spaces. Though infrastructure improvements are essential for lasting change, I also believe in the power of grassroots action to strengthen communities here and now. In 2023, I created and led my first volunteer initiative and planted a garden for the local historical society. The planting took only one day and, with a dozen volunteers and community donations of plants and tools, cost almost nothing. The project gave me renewed gratitude for my neighbors and friends who are eager to foster stronger connections and help build the town we all want to live in. This past summer, I felt called to serve the teens in my area. While activities during the school year provide opportunities to foster friendships and stay active, summers leave many teens without ways to connect, leaving them isolated and without healthy outlets. To counteract this, I created a free summer swing dancing club to get teens on their feet, out of the house, and learning something new. We have just begun our second year, and it has been a remarkable success, providing students with a place to connect and stay active. Change often starts small. Though I may not be able to fix America’s infrastructure overnight, I can serve where I am and know that the seeds I plant today will grow into a more connected, livable, and sustainable tomorrow.

I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. Two years ago, I became the first high schooler to intern for my local government. I use my skills as a graphic designer to explain and showcase exciting new developments and bridge the gap between the government and the public. In June 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system. The system removes hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality, and preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving quality of life and protecting our environment for years to come. At just 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to do both the graphic design for the groundbreaking and lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. This was a dream come true. This year, I'm continuing my work by leading the design for a town-wide rebranding effort that includes new wayfinding signage, social media strategies, and extensive aesthetic updates. My work strengthens community pride through functional and beautiful design and saves taxpayers thousands of dollars by avoiding the need to hire an outside firm. My town faces serious challenges. Low-density development, wide roads, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Not only is this bad for the environment, it also makes life harder for those like me who cannot afford a car and makes downtown feel hostile, ugly, and dangerous. Though I am not a politician or engineer, I can make a difference by helping others get involved and invested. Good design can transform a complicated infrastructure plan into something that my neighbors can understand and be proud of. While I love participating in major projects, I have found joy in serving my community in small ways. Last summer, I assembled a group of volunteers, coordinated donations of plants and tools, and planted a garden for the local historical society. The installation was completed in a day and cost almost nothing. Small projects allow me to serve in ways that directly impact those around me. I end each project with new connections and renewed enthusiasm. This summer, I started a swing dancing club for high schoolers. I worked with the Parks Department to ensure the program would be completely free and designed announcements for social media to reach my audience. The club has been a great success and has given many students a place to connect, stay active, and learn something new. Though design is my passion, I decided to major in marketing. This degree will give me the tools to go into advocacy work, increase awareness about the importance of designing our cities well, and serve at a regional, state, or national level. Though I work towards sustainability in an unorthodox way, my goal remains to fight for a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful future for all.

I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. Two years ago, I became the first high schooler to intern for my local government. I use my skills as a graphic designer to explain and showcase exciting new developments and bridge the gap between the government and the public. In June 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system. The system removes hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality, and preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving quality of life and protecting our environment for years to come. At just 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to do both the graphic design for the groundbreaking and lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. This was a dream come true. This year, I'm continuing my work by leading the design for a town-wide rebranding effort that includes new wayfinding signage, social media strategies, and extensive aesthetic updates. My work strengthens community pride through functional and beautiful design and saves taxpayers thousands of dollars by avoiding the need to hire an outside firm. My town faces serious challenges. Low-density development, wide roads, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Not only is this bad for the environment, it also makes life harder for those who cannot afford a car and makes downtown feel hostile, ugly, and dangerous. Though not a politician or engineer, I can make a difference by helping others get involved and invested. Good design can transform a complicated infrastructure plan into something my neighbors can understand and be proud of. While I love participating in major projects, I have found joy in serving my community in small ways. Last summer, I assembled a group of volunteers, coordinated donations of plants and tools, and planted a garden for the local historical society. The installation was completed in a day and cost almost nothing. Small projects allow me to serve in ways that directly impact those around me. I end each project with new connections and renewed enthusiasm. This summer, I started a swing dancing club for high schoolers. I worked with the Parks Department to ensure the program would be completely free and designed announcements for social media to reach my audience. The club has been a great success and has given many students a place to connect, stay active, and learn something new. Though design is my passion, I decided to major in marketing. This degree will give me the tools to go into advocacy work, increase awareness about the importance of designing our cities well, and serve at a regional, state, or national level. Though I work towards sustainability in an unorthodox way, my goal remains to fight for a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful future for all.

I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. For the last two years, I have worked for my town government as a marketing intern. My town, like many across the country, faces serious challenges. Low-density development, wide roads, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Not only is this bad for the environment, it also hurts individuals and families who cannot afford a car and perpetuates the hostility and ugliness of our downtown. Car-centric development is dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. Just last summer, a beloved retired teacher was killed by a speeding driver on her own street. For many in my community, that was a wake-up call. Something needs to be done. My town leaders are working hard to improve the safety, sustainability, and soul of my town. In June of 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system. The system will remove hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality and preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It also allows for higher density development which creates walkability and bikeability. The sewer project is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving life for all and protecting our environment for many years to come. At just 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to not only do the graphic design for the groundbreaking but also lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. This was a dream come true. On top of doing graphic design, I wanted to do something tangible. Shortly after the groundbreaking, I assembled a group of volunteers, coordinated donations of plants and tools, and planted a garden for the local historical society. The installation was done in less than a day and cost almost nothing. This summer, I want to do several garden projects around town to bring color and life to neglected spaces. I feel motivated to involve the youth of my town whenever possible. Whether giving them chances to volunteer, creating new events to build engagement and community, or simply listening to their ideas. If the youth feel valued, they will stick around, and become strong leaders to further the cause of the current generation. Though design is my true passion, I decided to major in marketing. This degree will strengthen my design credentials and give me the tools to go into advocacy work. My goal is to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of designing our cities well. As I continue my education, I've realized how reliant I am on my community not only back home, but also at college. If not for the generosity of those around me, I would not be in school, and I rely on continued generosity to be able to come back in the following years. I am so excited to return to work this summer. There is much to be done.

My name is Greta Paulding. I’m from a small town in Southern Maine and a freshman at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. Two years ago, I became the first high schooler to intern for my local government. I worked hard and quickly moved from menial tasks to greater roles. I now work with those improving my town's safety, sustainability, and soul. In June 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system. The system will remove hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality, and preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. The sewer project is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving quality of life and protecting our environment for years to come. At just 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to do both the graphic design for the groundbreaking and lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. This was a dream come true. My town faces serious challenges. Low-density development, wide roads, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Not only is this bad for the environment, it also makes life harder for those who cannot afford a car and makes downtown feel hostile, ugly, and dangerous. While I love participating in major projects, I have found joy in serving my community in small ways. Shortly after the groundbreaking, I assembled a group of volunteers, coordinated donations of plants and tools, and planted a garden for the local historical society. The installation was completed in a day and cost almost nothing. This summer, I want to do several garden projects around town to bring color and life to neglected spaces. Smaller projects give me a chance to get out in my community and ask people how I can help them. I end each project with new connections and renewed enthusiasm. Though design and public service are my passions, I decided to major in marketing. This degree will strengthen my design credentials and give me the tools to go into advocacy work. I will advocate for traffic calming measures such as road narrowing, an incentive program for cities and big towns to improve their public transportation system and bike path network, and educating the public about designing our cities well. Though I may not perfectly fit the qualifications for this scholarship, I hope my story and my drive to serve my community show I am a worthy candidate. Infrastructure is not flashy. It is not exciting. To many, it is simply a matter of where the government decides to put concrete. But it is infrastructure’s seeming invisibility that makes it so important. Our infrastructure determines our future, both day-to-day and in the long term. I am so excited to return to work this summer. There is much still to be done.

Ideas are powerful things. They move people, build and level cities, and give us hope. Sometimes my favorite ideas are the small ones, the ones that grow out of cracks in my town's crumbling sidewalks, that sit and wait in our abandoned lots and our gray strip malls. I work in an office surrounded by people with big ideas. People who head multi-million dollar projects, run schools, and work hard every day to keep my town together. I admire their strength, their wisdom, and their leadership. I am the girl with the small ideas; a freshman at a small Christian college far away from home. I have no budget, no credentials. What I do have is persistence. Persistence is surprisingly powerful. Last year, my boss mentioned that it would be nice if there was a nice-looking place at the town hall for weddings. Gray walls and fluorescent lights do not make for a pretty ceremony. Despite having few resources, I wanted to make it a reality. I put out a call to all the gardeners in the area. Before we knew it, the community delivered with plants, tools, and a team of volunteers. The only thing my department paid for was topsoil. We planted a garden at the historical society next door to the town hall in less than a day. Persistence and the generosity of my community made it possible. This summer, I feel motivated to involve the youth of my town whenever possible. Whether giving them chances to volunteer, creating new events to build engagement and community, or simply listening to their ideas. If the youth feel valued, they will stick around, and become strong leaders to further the cause of the current generation. Young people also have a deep passion for protecting the environment and should feel they have the right and ability to hold those in power accountable. As I continue my education, I've realized how reliant I am on my community not only back home, but also at college. If not for the generosity of those around me, I would not be in school, and I rely on continued generosity to be able to come back in the following years. After I graduate, I want to use my marketing degree to go into advocacy work and improve infrastructure and town planning on a "big idea" scale. I will advocate for traffic calming measures such as road narrowing, an incentive program for cities and big towns to improve their public transportation system and bike path network, and educating the public about designing our cities well. This is not a fight I can do alone. I hope that my persistence will be seen by others who also take up this mission with me. In the meantime, I know that the ideas that seem very small can make a big difference for the people I know and love. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help in any way I can.

I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. For the last two years, I have worked for my town government as a marketing intern. My town, like many across the country, faces serious challenges. Low-density development, wide roads, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Car-centric development is dangerous, ugly, and terrible for the environment. Vehicles play a major role in air and noise pollution. Incentivizing walking and cycling helps people stay healthy, cuts emissions, and strengthens the community. My town leaders are working hard to improve the safety, sustainability, and soul of my town. In June of 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system. The system will remove hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality and preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It also allows for higher density development which creates walkability and bikeability. The sewer project is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving life for all and protecting our environment for many years to come. At just 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to not only do the graphic design for the groundbreaking but also lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. This was a dream come true. On top of doing graphic design, I wanted to do something tangible. Shortly after the groundbreaking, I assembled a group of volunteers, coordinated donations of plants and tools, and planted a garden for the local historical society. The installation was done in less than a day and cost almost nothing. This summer, I want to do several garden projects around town to bring color and life to neglected spaces. I feel motivated to involve the youth of my town whenever possible. Whether giving them chances to volunteer, creating new events to build engagement and community, or simply listening to their ideas. If the youth feel valued, they will stick around, and become strong leaders to further the cause of the current generation. Young people also have a deep passion for protecting the environment and should feel they have the right and ability to hold those in power accountable. Though design is my true passion, I decided to major in marketing. This degree will strengthen my design credentials and give me the tools to go into advocacy work. I will advocate for traffic calming measures such as road narrowing, an incentive program for cities and big towns to improve their public transportation system and bike path network, and educating the public about designing our cities well. Infrastructure is not flashy. It is not exciting. To many, it is simply a matter of where the government decides to put concrete. But it is infrastructure’s seeming invisibility that makes it so important. Our infrastructure determines our future, both day-to-day and in the long term. The health of our people and environment rests on our ability to grow wisely and grow together.

I am deeply passionate about sustainable infrastructure. For the last two years, I have worked for my town government as a marketing intern. My town, like many across the country, faces serious challenges. Low-density development, wide roads, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist amenities force everyone to drive, even when their destination is five minutes away. Not only is this bad for the environment, it also hurts individuals and families who cannot afford a car and perpetuates the hostility and ugliness of our downtown. Car-centric development is dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. Just last summer, a beloved retired teacher was killed by a speeding driver on her own street. For many in my community, that was a wake-up call. Something needs to be done. My town leaders are working hard to improve the safety, sustainability, and soul of my town. In June of 2023, we celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of the town’s first sewer system. The system will remove hundreds of overwhelmed and poorly maintained septic systems from our commercial district, improving our groundwater quality and preserving our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It also allows for higher density development which creates walkability and bikeability. The sewer project is the first step in a full downtown redesign, improving life for all and protecting our environment for many years to come. At just 17 years old, I was given the opportunity to not only do the graphic design for the groundbreaking but also lead the branding effort for the entire downtown plan. This was a dream come true. On top of doing graphic design, I wanted to do something tangible. Shortly after the groundbreaking, I assembled a group of volunteers, coordinated donations of plants and tools, and planted a garden for the local historical society. The installation was done in less than a day and cost almost nothing. This summer, I want to do several garden projects around town to bring color and life to neglected spaces. I feel motivated to involve the youth of my town whenever possible. Whether giving them chances to volunteer, creating new events to build engagement and community, or simply listening to their ideas. If the youth feel valued, they will stick around, and become strong leaders to further the cause of the current generation. Though design is my true passion, I decided to major in marketing. This degree will strengthen my design credentials and give me the tools to go into advocacy work. My goal is to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of designing our cities well. As I continue my education, I've realized how reliant I am on my community not only back home, but also at college. If not for the generosity of those around me, I would not be in school, and I rely on continued generosity to be able to come back in the following years. I am so excited to return to work this summer. There is much still to be done.

I sat, hands poised over the keys, trying to streamline the thoughts swirling through my mind; get them down to a word count that would avoid alarming my coworker. I had been staring at this email for forty-five minutes. I needed to send it. I read through it; out loud this time, under my breath, and tried to avoid distracting the others who sat in the dorm lounge. It was close to what I wanted but not quite. I looked out the window at the warm spring day, straightened my contorted spine, and wrote, "Also, I totally understand that this might fall flat on its face. It’s going to be hard to pull off and it might not go well. That’s ok. I would much rather have tried and failed than not try at all." I sent it. I was one step closer. Ideas are powerful things. They move people, build and level cities, and give us hope. Sometimes my favorite ideas are the small ones, the ones that grow out of cracks in my town's crumbling sidewalks, that sit and wait in our abandoned lots and our gray strip malls. I work in an office surrounded by people with big ideas. People who head multi-million dollar projects, run schools, and work hard every day to keep my town together. I admire their strength, their wisdom, and their leadership. I am the girl with the small ideas; a freshman at a small Christian college far away from home. I have no budget, no credentials. What I do have is persistence. Persistence is surprisingly powerful. Last year, my boss mentioned that it would be nice if there was a nice-looking place at the town hall for weddings. Gray walls and fluorescent lights do not make for a pretty ceremony. Despite having few resources, I wanted to make it a reality. I put out a call to all the gardeners in the area. Before we knew it, the community delivered with plants, tools, and a team of volunteers. The only thing my department paid for was topsoil. We planted a garden at the historical society next door to the town hall in less than a day. Persistence and the generosity of my community made it possible. Even while away at college, I'm thinking of new ways to improve my town. My latest idea is to host a weekly summer swing dance for high schoolers to give them a chance to have fun, get active, and meet new people. My goal is to do it all at little to no cost. This is proving to be a challenge. However, even if my idea fails, I would rather try and fail than not try at all. Ideas only truly fail when they never see the light of day. I have faith in my community to help me get things done. As I continue my education, I've realized how reliant I am on my community not just for my work back home, but also for my work here. If not for the generosity of those around me, I would not be able to stay in college. After I graduate, I want to use my marketing degree to go into advocacy work and improve infrastructure and town planning on a "big idea" scale. In the meantime, I know that the ideas that seem very small can make a big difference for the people I know and love. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help in any way I can.

It was March of 2020. My mother and I hovered over the dining room table, pencils in hand. Our tea was steeping, Pandora was playing, my tongue stuck out as I concentrated on the house I was drawing. "Something's not quite right," my mother said. "What else could we do?" "We could add more shops?" I replied. "We've added all the shops and restaurants we can think of. What else should we draw? What makes a good town?" I shrugged as I looked over our labor: fifteen pieces of printer paper scotch-taped together. On every inch were drawn roads, shops, homes, and parks. It was our dream town. Cozy, neighborly, and beautiful. For the last few weeks, drawing the map had kept us busy, but we needed new ideas. The next morning, I googled "How to make a good town" and was greeted by a world of articles and maps and statistics. That research rabbit hole led me to a deep passion for infrastructure and town planning. I learned that Indianapolis, "The City of the Indy 500," though it had a similar population to Amsterdam, "The City of Bikes," had over 9 times the traffic deaths. Indianapolis's car-centric design created a hostile environment for all. However, Amsterdam's focus on pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit produced efficient, beautiful, and life-saving results. As I learned more, I started to identify poorly designed infrastructure in my hometown. Wide roads encourage drivers to speed and lull them into a false sense of security. A lack of sidewalks or bike paths forces pedestrians and cyclists right up against the road. The commercial district consists of big-box stores connected by a four-lane highway. It is not only dysfunctional, it is ugly; a place people go because they have to, not because they want to. There was so much more to be done than doodling solutions on the dining room table. My community needed change. I wanted to be a part of it. Now, four years later, I have channeled my passions for art and my community toward working in marketing and design at the town hall. When I began a year and a half ago, I learned how the people around me were working to bring positive change to my town. Slowly but surely, my town is beginning to look like the map my mother and I poured our dreams onto years ago. Working for the town also taught me that little improvements make a big difference. Last summer, my boss wanted to plant a flower garden for town hall weddings, but it was not in the budget. When we learned that the project would not be feasible, I proposed an unorthodox solution: I put out a call to all the gardeners in the area and asked for donations of flowers, tools, and labor. The community delivered. At ten o'clock one morning, we gathered together near the town hall. By 2 o'clock, we had transformed a patch of grass around a gazebo into a beautiful perennial garden. The only cost to the town was gardening soil and snacks for the volunteers. If I had an extra 24 hours in the day, I'd fill my time with small projects like the wedding garden—cost-effective methods that create color, connection, and conversation. The many obstacles standing in the way of positive change drive me to think outside the box. Ultimately, my true passion is to serve others. I am so grateful for the opportunities I've been given, and I will continue to search them out as I grow and continue to bring people together.

We were in the car, headed into downtown Portland. The radio was blaring and we were all singing along, talking, and laughing. When we stopped at an intersection, I looked out the window, grinned, and yelled "Guys! Look! They have a raised crosswalk here!" My friends looked at each other, smiled, and rolled their eyes. As the light turned green and we slowly went over the raised crosswalk, I admired the amenities of the city; the new bike-share program, the walkable streets, and thought to myself "who do I talk to to bring this to Windham?" I am passionate about infrastructure. Perhaps my high-functioning autism is to blame but I'm making it work for me. I care deeply about the way we design our town, the way our systems impact everyone around us. I developed an interest in civil engineering and design three years ago after seeing the differences between European and North American streets. To get information for a self-directed statistics project that got a bit out of hand, I once called the city of Amsterdam to learn more about their bike paths and later realized that my lack of overseas coverage inadvertently resulted in a 100-dollar phone bill. My passion for infrastructure gave me plenty to talk about (apologies to my family and friends) but I didn’t have a real way to contribute until my teacher helped me get an internship working for the town. Seven months have passed since I began working for the Town of Windham and I love it. Our main project, installing a state-of-the-art sewer system in North Windham, is finally getting underway and will open up many economic opportunities for my community. I have learned so much about how government operates and how ideas become reality. My internship has also allowed me to advocate for walkable streets and convey the concerns of my high school peers that often go unheard. Working for my town also gave me the unique opportunity to appreciate the people around me. For three months, my main job was to look through files on 115 businesses in search of septic information. To some, that might sound tedious; but behind each permit and notice and letter of complaint, there’s a person with a story. I love a good story. Since then, I have been given a more involved role in town projects, I am even leading a project of my own to design and construct a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to make it easier for children to walk to school safely. I was also put in charge of visual rebranding for North Windham (now Downtown Windham), as well as designing wayfinding signs for Town Hall. While my friends might chuckle at my fascination with infrastructure, I believe my unique passion and determination will benefit all of us.

I am passionate about infrastructure. I care deeply about the way my town is designed, the way systems impact everyone around me. I first developed an interest in civil engineering and design three years ago after seeing the differences between European and North American streets. I discovered that Amsterdam, despite being a major city of over 800,000 people, had an incredibly low number of traffic-related deaths compared to American cities of the same size. Indianapolis, which also has a population of about 800,000, had nine times the traffic deaths of Amsterdam. This shocked me. My findings made me consider the state of my hometown. During Covid, I began to walk and bike in my area and realized how dangerous my town is for those outside of a car. Wide roads encourage drivers to speed and lull them into a false sense of security making them less likely to be careful of pedestrians. The lack of sidewalks or bike paths forces pedestrians and cyclists right up to the road. The commercial area consists of big-box stores connected by a four-lane highway that is nearly impossible to cross on foot or on a bike. My town's car dependency causes significant wear and tear on our roads which require near-constant maintenance. I realized that things in my community needed to change. If we allowed for alternative means of transportation, we could reduce traffic on our major roads, cut down on air and noise pollution, and encourage healthy habits. I wanted to do something. Since then, I have begun working as an intern in the town hall and advocating for smarter road design while creating connections within local government. I help with both big-concept projects and smaller tasks and have gained a lot of perspective about how change happens in local government. It is a slow process, but change is coming to my town. Sometimes the biggest improvements for pedestrians and cyclists are the ones that seem small. One of my goals is to add a walkway across the river separating the school district from the surrounding neighborhoods so that kids can walk to school safely without using the dangerous bridge used for vehicles. This will not only encourage healthy habits but also relieve our already strained bus service of significant stress. I want to have a plan in place for the bridge before I graduate so that my younger brother—and countless others—can benefit from it. After graduating, I am hoping to major in civil engineering and go on to help improve infrastructure on a state or national level. I will advocate for traffic calming measures such as road narrowing, an incentive program for cities and big towns to improve their public transportation system and bike path network, and educating the public about what needs to be done to improve transportation for everyone. Infrastructure is not flashy. It is not exciting. To many, it is simply a matter of where the government decides to put concrete. But it is infrastructure’s seeming invisibility that makes it so important. There is no day in American life that is not affected by it; no second spent sitting in rush hour traffic or waiting for a late bus that cannot be explained by a decision made by someone in the business of infrastructure. These are everyday problems, assumed unavoidable, because many do not know anything different. Our infrastructure is crumbling, but change, through smart engineering, is possible. I plan to be part of that change.

I am passionate about infrastructure. I care deeply about the way my town is designed, the way systems impact everyone around me. I first developed an interest in civil engineering and design three years ago after seeing the differences between European and North American streets. I discovered that Amsterdam, despite being a major city of over 800,000 people, had an incredibly low number of traffic-related deaths compared to American cities of the same size. Indianapolis, which also has a population of about 800,000, had nine times the traffic deaths of Amsterdam. This shocked me. My findings made me consider the state of my hometown. During Covid, I began to walk and bike in my area and realized how dangerous my town is for those outside of a car. Wide roads encourage drivers to speed and lull them into a false sense of security making them less likely to be careful of pedestrians. The lack of sidewalks or bike paths forces pedestrians and cyclists right up to the road. The commercial area consists of big-box stores connected by a four-lane highway that is nearly impossible to cross on foot or on a bike. My town's car dependency causes significant wear and tear on our roads which require near-constant maintenance. I realized that things in my community needed to change. If we allowed for alternative means of transportation, we could reduce traffic on our major roads, cut down on air and noise pollution, and encourage healthy habits. I wanted to do something. Since then, I have begun working as an intern in the town hall and advocating for smarter road design while creating connections within local government. I help with both big-concept projects and smaller tasks and have gained a lot of perspective about how change happens in local government. It is a slow process, but change is coming to my town. Sometimes the biggest improvements for pedestrians and cyclists are the ones that seem small. One of my goals is to add a walkway across the river separating the school district from the surrounding neighborhoods so that kids can walk to school safely without using the dangerous bridge used for vehicles. This will not only encourage healthy habits but also relieve our already strained bus service of significant stress. I want to have a plan in place for the bridge before I graduate so that my younger brother—and countless others—can benefit from it. After graduating, I am hoping to major in civil engineering and go on to help improve infrastructure on a state or national level. I will advocate for traffic calming measures such as road narrowing, an incentive program for cities and big towns to improve their public transportation system and bike path network, and educating the public about what needs to be done to improve transportation for everyone. Infrastructure is not flashy. It is not exciting. To many, it is simply a matter of where the government decides to put concrete. But it is infrastructure’s seeming invisibility that makes it so important. There is no day in American life that is not affected by it; no second spent sitting in rush hour traffic or waiting for a late bus that cannot be explained by a decision made by someone in the business of infrastructure. These are everyday problems, assumed unavoidable, because many do not know anything different. Our infrastructure is crumbling, but change, through smart engineering, is possible. I plan to be part of that change.

There are patterns. Everywhere Patterns you don’t notice Until You look again and then You don’t know how you could have missed them. It’s amazing That in a world of such Chaos, such incredible horror, such Messed up Madness You can pause and appreciate When life makes some seeming semblance of sense Because even in the sorrow and the hurt, There is order to find, even when it seems like a bunch of nonsense and pain because every time you wake up, watch the sunrise you can see the light hit the window and you know this sunrise marks the beginning of a new day the same new day as yesterday you stretch and watch your reflection rise, yawn in the mirror on your bedroom door and hear music that floats through the air and the sound illuminates your world calling you downstairs and into a brand new day. Music that sings in harmony with your very soul in perfect 4ths and 5ths It’s amazing To look at a seashell and quietly trace its perfect spiral with your finger and know that in life of unpredictability it’s not all hopeless drivel you should scoff at because there is order to be seen. Look! Life is full of chaos, yes. But when your mind is overwhelmed with numbing hopelessness watch the geese fly overhead, drawing an arrow to somewhere they’ve probably never been before but they can trust that whoever told them to “fly this way” and “fly that way” definitely knows what he is saying Keep a close eye out And don’t let yourself forget the incredible beauty Of patterns (There’s a hidden pattern/rule in this vignette. Try to find it!) (Answer: the number of words in each line corresponds to the digits of pi.)

I am passionate about infrastructure. I care deeply about the way my town is designed, the way systems impact everyone around me. I first developed an interest in civil engineering and design three years ago after seeing the differences between European and North American streets. I discovered that Amsterdam, despite being a major city of over 800,000 people, had an incredibly low number of traffic-related deaths compared to American cities of the same size. Indianapolis, which also has a population of about 800,000, had nine times the traffic deaths of Amsterdam. This shocked me. My findings made me consider the state of my hometown. Over Covid, I began to walk and bike in my area and realized how dangerous my town is for those outside of a car. Wide roads encourage drivers to speed and lull them into a false sense of security. The lack of sidewalks or bike paths forces pedestrians and cyclists right up to the road. The commercial area consists of big-box stores connected by a four-lane highway. It is a place people go because they have to, not because they want to. I realized that things in my community needed to change. I wanted to do something. Since then, I have begun working as an intern in the town hall and advocating for smarter road design while creating connections within local government. I help with both big-concept projects and smaller tasks and have gained a lot of perspective about how change happens in local government. It is a slow process, but change is coming to my town. Sometimes the biggest improvements for pedestrians and cyclists are the ones that seem small. One of my goals is to add a walkway across the river separating the school district from the surrounding neighborhoods so that kids can walk to school safely without using the dangerous bridge used for vehicles. This will not only encourage healthy habits but also relieve our already strained bus service of significant stress. I want to have a plan in place for the bridge before I graduate so that my younger brother—and countless others—can benefit from it. After graduating, I am hoping to major in civil engineering and go on to help improve infrastructure on a state or national level. I will advocate for traffic calming measures such as road narrowing, an incentive program for cities and big towns to improve their public transportation system and bike path network, and educating the public about what needs to be done. Infrastructure is not flashy. It is not exciting. To many, it is simply a matter of where the government decides to put concrete. But it is infrastructure’s seeming invisibility that makes it so important. There is no day in American life that is not affected by it. No second spent sitting in rush hour traffic or waiting for a late bus that cannot be explained by a decision made by someone in the business of infrastructure. These are everyday problems, assumed unavoidable, because many do not know anything different. Our infrastructure is crumbling, but change is possible. I plan to be part of that change.