I am as American as apple pie and as Midwestern as corn fields. Growing up in rural Ohio, I spent summers at ballfields and swimming pools with my dad, mom, and older brother. Our modest, midwestern home was filled with board games, movie nights, and, most importantly, family time. Holidays were always much anticipated and full of aunts, uncles, cousins, games, love, and tons of laughter. I could not have asked for more supportive parents; they were by my side in all my different endeavors, from cheerleading and gymnastics to softball and volleyball. My parents were equally supportive of my academic goals, encouraging me to do what was best for me, even if it was not the popular or most straightforward choice. They know I have dreams bigger than our small town and are my biggest encouragers in making those dreams a reality. My passion for engineering began in elementary school, where I completed extra projects on outer space and taught my classmates how to make catapults from pencils and rubber bands. My interest in engineering continued as a middle schooler when I found Hidden Figures, a book about female mathematicians who helped get NASA to the moon, book report worthy, and my desire was still there when I was an underclassman asking for an exception to take engineering classes typically reserved for older students. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, it was clear that my small school, which housed grades kindergarten through twelve in one building, was no longer the best place for me to accomplish my dream of becoming an engineer. Ultimately, there are many benefits to attending a small school, but a wide variety of class options is not one of them. In my junior year of high school, I became the first student from my high school to enroll in a program, CollegeNow Engineering, that allows me to complete my high school diploma and an associate degree in integrated engineering technology simultaneously. CollegeNow, located at a community college 45 minutes from my high school, is the best of both worlds: I can take the challenging classes I enjoy and still participate in extra-curricular programs at my high school. With my parents’ support and countless trips to the gas station, I have spent the last two years learning more about engineering, meeting students from other areas and backgrounds, and ensuring I have the educational foundation to succeed in the next four years at Trine University. Enrolling in CollegeNow Engineering has proved to be the best decision I could have made, not only academically but professionally and personally as well. To begin, while taking AC and DC electricity classes, I found the discipline of engineering that excites me most and confidently declared electrical engineering as my major and future career. Additionally, I have gained the skills to start a co-op after graduating high school. Furthermore, I was able to meet students from outside the small community I grew up in and learn about other cultures. Moreover, I could to share my love of volleyball with my classmates when I formed an intermural volleyball team of CollegeNow students. Ultimately, every early morning, late night, and long drive has been worthwhile. I am excited about my future as a first-generation student at Trine University this fall. I have prepared to ensure I can succeed. However, the steep cost of a college education is my biggest hurdle, even after working and saving. Ultimately, this scholarship can remove the financial stress of college tuition and allow me to become a proud female leader in STEM.