Standing in the bathroom of a nearly empty stranger’s house, my 7-year-old eyes scanned the room, left, right, up, and… “Why is there a thick plush carpet in the bathroom?” I blurted out. My mother's eyes went wide with embarrassment and her hand darted to my mouth. The damage had already been done. It was far too late to take back the words that had been said. I had unknowingly drawn attention to what appeared to be a glaring oversight among numerous potential home buyers. Some walked over, staring in awe and agreement, while others crept out the door silently. For me, my early remarks were not intended to be disrespectful; rather, they stemmed from a genuine curiosity and fascination with how environments shape our lives, even in the most subtle of ways. Sundays were the highlight of my week; my mom and I would cruise around in her jet-black minivan, meandering through untraveled streets, hunting down the familiar “Open House” signs along the way. With my face plastered against the glass of the car window, I could not help but offer a barrage of unsolicited opinions on everything from tacky wallpaper to the column placed conspicuously in the middle of the room. What began as a way to pass time on lazy Sundays quickly became an obsession– stepping into someone's home, losing track of time, and envisioning the endless possibilities. As I grew older, I developed a keen eye for detail. I studied how the position of windows could integrate natural light and support passive cooling systems. I began to appreciate the minuscule differences in room sizes and the way sunlight could filter through curtains to cast patterns on the hardwood floor. I found myself particularly fascinated with designing structures that harmonize with both their inhabitants and the natural environment. This past summer I interned at a local architecture firm, RDM-A, where I sketched floor plans and built 3D models based on the needs of real clients. After completing these projects I often duplicated the files with approval and experimented with various layouts and styles, warping pieces of the geometry to understand how each element impacted the overall design. In my free time, I read books like KOICHI TAKADA: Architecture, Nature, and Design by Philip Jodidio, scanned research papers from National Geographic on the emergence of practical solutions to climate change, and learned about LEED-certified buildings, exhaust air heat pumps, and lab-grown building materials. These sustainable components mirrored those I explored during my immersive summer program at UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design and through my summer internship. Exploration of reuse and recycling became a central influence of my architectural portfolio, for which I used plastic bottles and found objects in sculptures and collages. My interest in sustainable architecture has not only filled my brain but has also cluttered my bedroom floor with models, tracing paper, and recyclables. To this day, my mom and I are still occasionally lured by an open house; the familiar flags welcome us like an old friend. Thankfully, for my mom and for the real estate brokers, I have learned to keep my thoughts to myself, saving my critiques for a debriefing once back in the car. As we drive away, I feel the same excitement I once had as a child. Knowing that with my university adventures ahead, I am one step closer to bringing life to the lines of structures that were once merely daydreamed from the passenger seat of my mother’s jet-black minivan.

Inscribed in ink on the slightly crumbled paper stained from my fingers after seven years were three simple goals. Sure, they were naive and all, but at least they were mine. They still serve as the foundation for my aspirations. For most normal individuals, goals such as “get a job,” “win the lottery,” or simply “be successful,” are rational, but success in my eyes is more about the process of getting there. Number 1. Explore more Whether through taking AP classes, interning at an architecture firm, learning code to integrate automation into Schoolhouse.world, or experimenting with recyclable materials for art, I have gathered a deep interest in the act of challenging myself through the process of exploration. In the years ahead, I aim to explore the uncharted territories at the intersection between sustainability, technology, and architecture at Cornell University. Number 2. Build a Fort To build a fort it is essential to understand the fundamentals to building prior to putting up a structure. The components of a fort, whether a blanket, tarp, or chairs that act as support systems, are the pieces that when combined create something wholly new. Being successful is understanding the role each part has in creating a solid foundation and applying them to larger scale projects/tests like Architect Registration Exams. Number 3. Care for nature Since I was very young I always had a fascination with nature and the environment. Whether it be picking up baby birds that fell out of trees and "reviving" them, or simply sitting out in nature to admire the endless beauty that fills the natural world, I found solitude in the confines of nature. To this day I still have a draw towards the environment, specifically in the form of sustainability. In architecture school, which I start in mid-august I hope to continue to explore this passion. I hope to learn more about sustainable parts and lab-grown building materials to better not only the spaces we as individuals inhabit, but also the natural environment. It is this very act of learning, that allows for fulfillment, and participating in research, among other things, is one way that I can fulfill this goal. Number 4. SMILE ;) Participating in an architectural internship, making friends through late nights in Studio building models, or guarding the painted fence, I hope to continue to smile and be proud of what I have learned and accomplished while in college. Ultimately, these three goals represent what success means to me: exploring the world with curiosity, building the foundation for future acquisition of knowledge, caring for the environment, and finding joy along the way. This scholarship would not only allow me to reduce the burden that comes with college tuition, but will also allow me to focus more on things that directly correlate to my career path. Rather than spending countless hours working in misc. industries to make enough money to repay my college tuition, this scholarship would allow me to direct that time saved through research and education in the field of sustainable design, architecture, and all things adjacent.