“I am the answer to my ancestor’s prayers.” This is a declaration my mother has made numerous times in my life. I never fully comprehended its significance; believing it was because I had good grades in school, and said please and thank you. However, it wasn’t until my family helped shape my perspective; how I had great-grandmothers who didn’t finish high school, how my voracious drive for academic success is more than just me wanting excellent grades, and how I intend to make good on the sacrifices of my mother and my ancestors. My great-great grandmother Luisa Ochoa was a Mexican immigrant, a beet farmer, and did not have a formal education. One of her children who was taken away from her, and forced to work on a different farm, was my great-grandma Josefina; who only had a middle school education. Once off the farm, Josefina worked multiple jobs to support her 10 children and provide them with a more promising life than she had. One of her daughters is my grandma Sylvia, who, unlike her mother, graduated from high school, but did not go to college. Even though my grandma didn't earn a degree, she made a step bigger than two generations before her. That leads to my mom Adannaya, who not only graduated from high school but also graduated from college. She was raised by my grandma Sylvia and grandma Josefina, who worked together as single mothers to provide her with a more financially stable life. However, the emotional stability my mother needed was non-existent due to the trauma the women had endured. This was something my mom was determined to change for me and my siblings. She wanted us to not only be secure financially, but free to imagine, create, and dream. Knowing that my great-grandma Josefina only had a middle school education was mindblowing to me. I didn’t realize it at first, but garnering this new knowledge about my family, and their past, motivated me to go even further than they had. It was where my drive and bottomless hunger for perfection was born. I thought it was just because I wanted to do well. My parents would tell me that as long as I tried my best, they would be proud. However, the knowledge that three women in my family hadn’t gone to college, and two didn’t even finish high school drove me to satisfy what they weren’t able to accomplish. As I began to push myself academically, I began to feel confident with what I was learning. Then realizing I could get multiple degrees, do well in something I love, and go the farthest in my education than the women before me, made me feel a new sensation about my education: pride. I intend to go further in my education and also in my community. There is only one certified African-American female architect in Colorado, and that needs to change. To be a role model for young women of color would be an immense honor. I want to be able to show my little sister what is possible through hard work, determination, and the buoyancy our ancestors’ prayers have provided. I have been given wonderful opportunities because of the sacrifices my forerunners made. I don’t want to waste what has been passed down through the generations. Instead, I want to honor their investments. I want to graduate high school. I want to graduate from college and grad school. I want to be a bridge and an example for my younger siblings and others. I want to live out my ancestors' wildest dreams. Going to school and focusing on learning without being stressed about finances would greatly help. I would be the first generation college student, on both sides, of my family to go to college and graduate without debt. I look up to people like Jane Goodall and Zaha Hadid. Women broke stigmas and barriers by changing the world and showing people that traveling through the jungle and designing homes weren’t just for men. However, there are no significant zoologists who are black women and I want to change that. So when young girls of color are watching National Geographic and reading Architectural Digest and they see someone that looks like them doing adventurous, meaningful things, they won’t feel alone or that what they’re doing is weird or not needed. When people think about their legacy they often want to leave behind things that show how great they were. How much they were loved or valued based on other people's opinions, but I want my legacy to reflect how much the world gave me. From the friends I made as a kid, the teachers who encouraged me to follow my dreams, and the people I grew up watching on TV that inspired me to continue what I love. A legacy not only shows what you did for the world but also how much the world meant to you and what you wanted to do for it. I want to make an impact in communities for black people, women, women of color, young people, and descendants of immigrants. To show how when you pursue your dreams and work hard in your education you can not only achieve anything, but help those around you as well, so you all can succeed. For many kids, myself included, college comes with the worries of finances, but obtaining scholarships like this can help me relieve the stress of payment and not have it conflict with my focus on school.

“I am the answer to my ancestor’s prayers.” This is a declaration my mother has made numerous times in my life. I never fully comprehended its significance; believing it was because I had good grades in school, and said please and thank you. However, it wasn’t until my family helped shape my perspective; how I had great-grandmothers who didn’t finish high school, how my voracious drive for academic success is more than just me wanting excellent grades, and how I intend to make good on the sacrifices of my mother and my ancestors. My great-great grandmother Luisa Ochoa was a Mexican immigrant, a beet farmer, and did not have a formal education. One of her children who was taken away from her, and forced to work on a different farm, was my great-grandma Josefina; who only had a middle school education. Once off the farm, Josefina worked multiple jobs to support her 10 children and provide them with a more promising life than she had. One of her daughters is my grandma Sylvia, who, unlike her mother, graduated from high school, but did not go to college. Even though my grandma didn't earn a degree, she made a step bigger than two generations before her. That leads to my mom Tammy, who not only graduated from high school but also graduated from college. She was raised by my grandma Sylvia and grandma Josefina, who worked together as single mothers to provide her with a more financially stable life. However, the emotional stability my mother needed was non-existent due to the trauma the women had endured. This was something my mom was determined to change for me and my siblings. She wanted us to not only be secure financially, but free to imagine, create, and dream. Knowing that my great-grandma Josefina only had a middle school education was mindblowing to me. I didn’t realize it at first, but garnering this new knowledge about my family, and their past, motivated me to go even further than they had. It was where my drive and bottomless hunger for perfection was born. I thought it was just because I wanted to do well. My parents would tell me that as long as I tried my best, they would be proud. However, the knowledge that three women in my family hadn’t gone to college, and two didn’t even finish high school drove me to satisfy what they weren’t able to accomplish. As I began to push myself academically, I began to feel confident with what I was learning. Then realizing I could get multiple degrees, do well in something I love, and go the farthest in my education than the women before me, made me feel a new sensation about my education: pride. I intend to go further in my education and also in my community. There is only one certified African-American female architect in Colorado, and that needs to change. To be a role model for young women of color would be an immense honor. I want to be able to show my little sister what is possible through hard work, determination, and the buoyancy our ancestors’ prayers have provided. I have been given wonderful opportunities because of the sacrifices my forerunners made. I don’t want to waste what has been passed down through the generations. Instead, I want to honor their investments. I want to graduate high school. I want to graduate from college and grad school. I want to be a bridge and an example for my younger siblings and others. I want to live out my ancestors' wildest dreams.

Bike riding till the street lights come on with friends through your town, playing games using an imagination that opens new worlds, and fighting monsters 24/7. A captivating world that was unlocked when I was 11; a world that gives me goosebumps every time I press play. The characters that save their community every day, Will the kid who got stuck in the Upside Down first, Eleven the superhero, Mike the leader, Dustin the tech wiz, Lucas the fighter, Max, Steve, Robin, Nancy, Erica, and more offer moments of laughter, critical thinking, and fun adventures. Now even though I can’t travel to Hawkins and fight monsters in real life; if a monster or supernatural threat came to threaten our realm the three characters I would choose to help me defeat our monster would be Eleven for her powers, Lucas for his dedication, and Dustin for his compassion and intelligence. Although these three are some of the main characters, especially El, I feel as though they can and would be even stronger if the three of them were together more and put their strengths to the test as a group. Without Mike, Max, or Will, simply because I find it interesting. Eleven has the power to fight against the monster with powers similar if not stronger and has the most experience with the supernatural world and the monsters it holds. Lucas is a character I feel adds a lot to the show and the group dynamic, but isn’t explored much. We know he has a sister, has been friends with the boys for most of his life, faces racial discrimination, and has the best moments of laughter, strength, and unity throughout the whole show. His dedication and perseverance for those he loves is something I think would be useful if it came down to it. Lastly, Dustin is a genius, his knowledge of D&D and technology would be so helpful and his heart and love for his friends would keep us united till the end. Now even though demogorgans and giant spider-like spirits of black evil don’t exist taking over the Midwest; we have our problems in America and one that I face is the paying of college. All of the careers and passions I hold are things I can achieve best in college and being able to focus on my studies and not be stressed about my tuition is something I plan to continue to achieve.

My future goal is to be an architectural designer, specifically for residential homes around the world. I love to design, create, and draw; incorporating aspects of Gothic, Baroque, and Post-Modern architecture in my sketches. I want to attend a university to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degrees so that I can be prepared to work with a firm and eventually have my own. There is only one licensed black-female architect in the state of Colorado. I want to change that and be an example in the S.T.E.A.M. field. I will embody the Luminaut Value of being humble yet hungry by ensuring that I am constantly learning and educating myself on architectural role models, their successes, and how I can do something similar for communities in need. Being humble is an attribute that many people look for in those who are successful because when most people start to get attention for their work, they become arrogant and think they are more valuable than others. However, when you can recognize your work and accomplishments, while still respecting others, it shows that you are grateful for what you have and are hungry for more. The second Luminaut value about staying focused yet fun is something I will accomplish by staying serious about my work and not getting easily distracted. I am creative, and I want to show that in my designs. I do not want to become one of those designers who is just about their work and never allows themselves to have fun and try new things. I want to design in a way that shows what I am experiencing in life through what I create and how the environment affects my view of the world. Lastly, the ability to be super yet human is something I will demonstrate in all of my projects through my strengths and drive, while also being okay with making mistakes. I am a perfectionist, so I have a hard time when something is not up to my standard or deemed “perfect”. This leaves me with the idea that everything I do must be without error, but my teachers used to always say that “mistakes are opportunities to learn”, so if I can still allow myself to show imperfections in my artwork it will let others know that I am learning and growing and that mistakes are beautiful. Receiving this scholarship would make such a big difference in my ability to attend college. I would use this award to focus on my studies and passions, rather than be concerned about the finances of taking courses. Finances are such a prominent factor in college and having this scholarship would be extremely helpful and assist in taking some of the weight of paying for college off of my shoulders. I am the oldest of four children, in a homeschooling family. My parents made many sacrifices to help me focus on my education so that we can fulfill our dreams. To conclude, my passion is to succeed in a white-male-dominated field and create homes and buildings that will not only show my artistic views but also help marginalized communities through the kinds of architectural styles I am inspired by. I want to inspire other young-black women like me to push the boundaries. Obtaining this scholarship would help me further my education and career.

Every day after school my mom would take my brother and I to the library; one of the perks of being homeschooled for 5 years. We would split up into different sections of the kid's department and spend hours finding new comics, adventures, and stories to dive into. From The Magic Treehouse journey and Fancy Nancy’s fashion shows to Nancy Drew finding a new case to solve and Thea Stilton traveling the world with her friends. I would come back home and spend hours immersing myself in novels and books to carry my imagination to new lengths until I was forced to get dinner and re-engage with the world outside my pages. Books have taught me about friendship, loss, bravery, critical thinking, judgment and so much more than most adults in my life have told me and I am grateful for that every day. As time pressed on and I started getting into murder-mystery, rom-com, and action dystopian books I learned about BookTok and it was the best. Finding all these books that were about all the new topics I enjoyed made me feel so happy and finding a community of book lovers that expands to black women as well made me feel seen. I always felt out of place and was made fun of for enjoying reading, using big words like “conundrum” or “expeditiously” because it made me “white-washed”. However, going to BookTok and seeing all kinds of black women who enjoyed reading and different genres let me know that I wasn’t alone. My ideal Book-tok shelf would include the entire Maze Runner, Hunger Games, and Divergent series because I have yet to read those. The rest of Karen McManus’s murder-mystery books because her writing is phenomenal. The Unowound series, which I got into after seeing more action books on social media. Checking out The Love Hypothesis is a must since I’ve started getting to rom-coms. I did read the Spanish Love Deception and liked it, so I am intrigued to know more about those books. Lastly, I would want to read some books by the author who wrote Love & Gelato; I saw the movie and loved it, and learning about the books encouraged me to read them and learn more. Having the ability to focus on my studies without the burden of financial needs is something I am trying to accomplish so that I can put my best efforts towards my passions and not be consumed by the financial aspect of college, which is something so many students struggle with. To attend college without needing to take out loans and not end up in debt would be a first in my family since anyone who has gone and taken out loans has had to pay them off over time. Which is what I do not want to spend 5-10+ years of my life doing. That time of my life should be used to create a space for girls of color to be seen, represented, and encouraged to not only chase after their passions; but also get as much education as they can. My great-grandmother didn’t even go to high school, and obtaining my master’s would be something I know she would be proud of and something my siblings and cousins can learn from as well.

Attending the Cherry Creek Innovation Center for a class in construction during my senior year turned out to be more than just an academic experience. It was a journey filled with challenges, camaraderie, and eye-opening moments about gender dynamics in traditionally male-dominated fields. Initially, I enrolled in the construction class to step out of my comfort zone and diversify my skills in engineering, despite my apprehensions about math and the technical aspects. Little did I anticipate the social challenges that awaited me. In a class of fifteen boys, I quickly became aware of being the only girl. Coming from a background where most of my friends were girls, this was a significant shift. While I made efforts to connect and build friendships, I also encountered jokes and condescending remarks that undermined my abilities. Academically, I excelled, achieving the highest score on our OSHA exam and maintaining an A throughout the course. However, the real tests came in navigating the classroom environment where my suggestions were often second-guessed or dismissed outright. Simple tasks like calling for a specific cut or measurement were met with skepticism, reinforcing the stereotype that my contributions were less credible simply because of my gender. The moments of sexism were particularly disheartening. Being referred to as "woman" in a demeaning tone or being told to "get back to work" with a laugh highlighted the pervasive gender bias that still exists in technical fields. Even winning a scholarship did not shield me from these experiences. One incident, where a classmate taught me, in a patronizing tone, the right way to sweep because I wasn’t going fast enough on a rough day, stands out vividly. It was a stark reminder of how basic respect and decency can be withheld based on gender. Despite these challenges, I chose not to confront the behavior directly out of concern for others' feelings and my discomfort in a predominantly male environment. Reflecting on this now, I realize the importance of speaking up against such treatment to pave the way for future girls in similar situations. My aspirations extend beyond the classroom. I envision becoming a role model in the animal and STEAM fields, inspiring young girls, especially those of color, to pursue their passions without hesitation. Representation matters, and seeing someone like themselves doing impactful work can make all the difference. By advocating for inclusivity and respect, I hope to create a more welcoming environment where every individual's contributions are valued based on merit, not gender. Financial independence is crucial to achieving these goals. My scholarship win was a step towards alleviating the financial burden of college, allowing me to focus on my studies and future career in wildlife conservation and STEAM education. It's a path that I'm committed to, knowing the struggles many students face with the cost of higher education. In conclusion, my experience at the Cherry Creek Innovation Center was not just about learning construction and engineering; it was about confronting and navigating gender biases, advocating for change, and striving toward my ambitions in STEAM. Despite the challenges, I emerged stronger and more determined to make a difference in fields where diversity and inclusion are still evolving.

With his bare hands, he grabs the tail explaining every aspect of its existence to the camera. With his bare hands, Steve Irwin caught one of Earth's most venomous and deadly snakes, the Black Mamba. Seeing this man take his daughter, a few years my senior, and educate kids and adults around the globe about these creatures we either saw every day or didn’t even know existed, created a love for wildlife I wanted to imitate when I got older. When I was 15, I convinced my family to get us a snake. I then had an exotic animal for one year, until she bit me, and it felt amazing. It felt as though all the animals I grew up watching on TV were getting closer and closer and I could learn even more. As time has progressed, I have seen numerous species that make up our ecosystem vanish from the Earth. Knowing that one day, how we talk about dinosaurs is how we will talk about Polar Bears and Rhinos is scary because it is preventable. So many people say that extinction is a part of evolution and technically they are right; however, there is a limit. For example, I live in Colorado, so if the coyotes and cougars in our mountains went extinct, their prey would overpopulate because there is nothing to manage the numbers. The overpopulation of deer, rabbits, and more would not only begin to damage the ecosystem and other wildlife in Colorado, but they would start to overrun neighborhoods and cities. I am passionate about wildlife conservation and journalism because having beautiful multi-colored birds in the Amazon and thousands of other species under the sea we haven’t yet discovered is a blessing and something we should preserve for those after us on Earth. Going to school and focusing on learning without being stressed about finances would greatly help. I would be the first generation college student, on both sides, of my family to go to college and graduate without debt. I look up to people like Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey, but there are no significant zoologists who are black women and I want to change that. So when young girls of color are watching National Geographic and they see someone that looks like them doing adventurous, meaningful things, they won’t feel alone or that what they’re doing is weird or not needed. We are losing millions of marine life every year and our oceans are some of the most important parts of our beautiful planet. I want to make an impact on wild and marine life through environmental sciences, so it will help lead me to create a significant change in the STEM world to include more women of color in predominantly white male-led spaces.

With his bare hands, he grabs the tail explaining every aspect of its existence to the camera. With his bare hands, Steve Irwin caught one of Earth's most venomous and deadly snakes, the Black Mamba. Seeing this man take his daughter, a few years my senior, and educate kids and adults around the globe about these creatures we either saw every day or didn’t even know existed, created a love for wildlife I wanted to imitate when I got older. When I was 15, I convinced my family to get us a snake. I then had an exotic animal for one year, until she bit me, and it felt amazing. It felt as though all the animals I grew up watching on TV were getting closer and closer and I could learn even more. As time has progressed, I have seen numerous species that make up our ecosystem vanish from the Earth. Knowing that one day, how we talk about dinosaurs is how we will talk about Polar Bears and Rhinos is scary because it is preventable. So many people say that extinction is a part of evolution and technically they are right; however, there is a limit. For example, I live in Colorado, so if the coyotes and cougars in our mountains went extinct, their prey would overpopulate because there is nothing to manage the numbers. The overpopulation of deer, rabbits, and more would not only begin to damage the ecosystem and other wildlife in Colorado, but they would start to overrun neighborhoods and cities. I am passionate about wildlife conservation and journalism because having beautiful multi-colored birds in the Amazon and thousands of other species under the sea we haven’t yet discovered is a blessing and something we should preserve for those after us on Earth. Going to school and focusing on learning without being stressed about finances would greatly help. I would be the first generation college student, on both sides, of my family to go to college and graduate without debt. I look up to people like Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey, but there are no significant zoologists who are black women and I want to change that. So when young girls of color are watching National Geographic and they see someone that looks like them doing adventurous, meaningful things, they won’t feel alone or that what they’re doing is weird or not needed. We are losing millions of marine life every year and our oceans are some of the most important parts of our beautiful planet. I want to make an impact on wild and marine life through environmental sciences, so it will help lead me to create a significant change in the STEM world to include more women of color in predominantly white male-led spaces.

Growing up I have always loved telling and reading stories that give feelings of happiness and imagination. Journalism and sports have been a part of my life since I can remember; from falling in love with how Nancy Drew handles mysteries and how Mystery Inc. never got caught; to doing basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, dance, and track and field since I was a child. Incorporating journalism and new broadcasting into my career choice is a decision I have been planning on making for a long time. The passion, excitement, tribulations, and perseverance that are displayed in the media and sports are things everyone feels when they see Finland, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Denmark, the U.K. and more participating in the BLM movement in 2020. Showing unity, compassion, and a longing for justice for everyone around the world and Black Americans. Those same feelings and experiences were felt when we saw the English football team lose in 2021 in the final against Italy and when the 2012 USA Olympic men’s basketball team beat Spain by a close 7 points in the final. I plan on impacting the world through research and studies; I like to imagine myself exploring the world discovering new species and then reporting about their impacts to big-time news stations so the world can know. The world is so painful now; from wars, sicknesses, loss, and just never seeming to have enough. Judging from the way the world has progressed and healed in the past, we are bound to do it again, but this time it could be seen in history with the help of young kids of color who are active in wanting change like myself. Finances are never easy for anyone, no matter what you do with your money. Journalism and reporting for new species, parts of the ocean, and other research topics aren’t as diverse, but have they ever really been? Seeing Jane Goodall travel to Gombe, Africa and Steve Irwin catch a black mamba with his bare hands were the flames that produced a feeling of joy and excitement that isn’t seen as much anymore. To study Environmental Studies and have the opportunity to minor in journalism without the stress of my financial situation distracting me from my studies would be a blessing and a way to show my siblings that gaining an education is one of the best things you can do. Especially if it was denied for generations through your bloodline. Almost every person in my family who has graduated from college has ended up in debt, whether they are still paying it off or just finished, they never got to go and just learn without constantly being nervous about whether they can afford this college the next year. To be the first in my family without debt, and the first from 3 generations of women through my mother's maternal lineage to go to college, get my master’s, study hard without money worries, major in S.T.E.A.M., and change the world; would be a dream.

Growing up in Colorado, as the eldest child and a descendant of immigrants, community awareness has shaped my values. Witnessing disparities in my mother's upbringing compared to mine instilled a deep conviction to uplift those around me. Through volunteer work, I've supported poor families, engaged in crucial community-police dialogues, and become more interested in the advocacy for neglected foster kids. One of my most memorable experiences involved packing food for hundreds of families, each bag representing a tangible impact on someone's life. An action I want to continue to do and spread throughout my communities. Likewise, growing concerns about systemic racism in law enforcement have fueled my passion for reform. While community outreach initiatives I have experienced have fostered temporary peace, ongoing incidents, such as the murder of George Floyd, have reignited fear and disdain for myself and many others. When doing research and education, I have revealed systemic biases within police academies, perpetuating racial injustices in the system, rather than every officer being inherently bad. Bridging the gap between police forces and communities through outreach and education is essential to alleviate the prevailing anxiety and mistrust. Which is something I want to see be done more often and be a part of as well. Additionally, my exposure to the challenges faced by children in the foster care system has underscored the need for empathy and support. Rather than perpetuating stereotypes, we must offer grace, nurture their passions, and invest in education to empower them for success. No child is born evil, their environment will shape their behavior and outlook on life. If a kid is raised around drugs and violence, they will be most likely to follow that path. This is why when people foster kids, like my aunt who did so for years, they must be shown love and encouraged to continue their education and pursue their passions; rather than enforce that they are bad kids and don’t deserve a good life because of the mistakes they have made. In pursuit of these goals, I aspire to earn a degree in societal work while continuing volunteer efforts. Whether through architecture to provide homes for the homeless, investigative journalism to advocate for justice, wildlife rehabilitation to preserve environments, or global affairs to aid communities worldwide, I am committed to making a positive impact on society. Even if it is one family at a time, the ability to make change is within all of us and we would be doing ourselves and one another a disservice to waste our lives only serving ourselves.

I plan to attend a 4-year college, beginning with the University of Colorado Denver, and then attend another institution for my master’s degree. I am interested in Residential Architectural Design, Investigative Journalism/Criminology, International Relations/Global Affairs, and Zoology/Wildlife Photojournalism. I am interested in criminal justice, specifically murder detective work, because whenever I hear of murder cases that become cold, I wonder how that family feels. Not knowing if they have the possibility of ever seeing their loved one again; that waiting feeling for days, weeks, decades, and not having an answer if they can grieve or continue to fight. There was a young black girl in my community who went missing almost a decade ago, and it’s now a cold case, with no leads, no evidence, nothing. While her mother sits outside every day waiting for her to come home; I want to be able to ensure that families can be reunited or at least be given an answer that doesn’t end with a maybe. I’ve always wondered if that girl is at peace or still fighting to get home to her loved ones, but now we’ll never know until someone finds something. Although working with remains or bodies is a part of the job, I would want to be on the investigative end rather than forensics. To have the feeling of adrenaline when you realize a significant piece of evidence or see something in a recording that you missed before is something I’ve always read about, but have wanted to experience. Learning and having some experience about how to help people and noticing signs for those who are missing will help me feel as though I am using my talents for something much bigger than myself. Many young kids, teens, and young adults go missing every day; but kids of color, especially black children not only go missing at a higher rate but most of their stories aren’t told and aren’t pursued as heavily as other kids. They have not been prioritized the same way as some of their white counterparts unless it is extremely dangerous or life-threatening; otherwise, some media platforms will find a way to turn the kids' backstories or lives against them. Saying that they’re not surprised the kid went missing since their neighborhood is filled with drugs and hoodlums; or that it has something to do with the dad, or that they are in a gang. Rather than the fact that they’re still kids and deserve to be found no matter what. I would use my degree to not only help those in need and those still missing but would also use my knowledge to inform and educate others. On how to recognize signs of people who are missing and those who are in danger to help themselves. Teaching kids and adults how to spot those who may be abused, and those who are being abused ways to free themselves or alert others is something I would be passionate about as well. In conclusion, I aspire to make a difference not only in the world of criminal justice, but to also help make a change in the world for those in need and those in communities like mine, people of color, women, women of color, and women of color in the justice system, which can help open doors for everyone. Having the ability to focus on my studies and major in university without the concerns of financial needs is something I am trying to accomplish so that I can put all my best towards my passions and not be consumed by the financial aspect of college.

I plan to attend a 4-year college, beginning with the University of Colorado Denver, and then attend another institution for my master’s degree. I am interested in Residential Architectural Design, Investigative Journalism/Criminology, and Zoology/Wildlife Journalism. I am interested in criminal justice, specifically murder detective work, because whenever I hear of murder cases that become cold, I wonder how that family feels. Not knowing if they have the possibility of ever seeing their loved one again; that waiting feeling for days, weeks, decades, and not having an answer if they can grieve or continue to fight. There was a young black girl in my community who went missing almost a decade ago, and it’s now a cold case, with no leads, no evidence, nothing. While her mother sits outside every day waiting for her to come home; I want to be able to ensure that families can be reunited or at least be given an answer that doesn’t end with a maybe. I’ve always wondered if that girl is at peace or still fighting to get home to her loved ones, but now we’ll never know until someone finds something. Although working with remains or bodies is a part of the job, I would want to be on the investigative end rather than forensics. To have the feeling of adrenaline when you realize a significant piece of evidence or see something in a recording that you missed before is something I’ve always read about, but have wanted to experience. Learning and having some experience about how to help people and noticing signs for those who are missing will help me feel as though I am using my talents for something much bigger than myself. Many young kids, teens, and young adults go missing every day; but kids of color, especially black children not only go missing at a higher rate but most of their stories aren’t told and aren’t pursued as heavily as other kids. They have not been prioritized the same way as some of their white counterparts unless it is extremely dangerous or life-threatening; otherwise, some media platforms will find a way to turn the kids' backstories or lives against them. Saying that they’re not surprised the kid went missing since their neighborhood is filled with drugs and hoodlums; or that it has something to do with the dad, or that they are in a gang. Rather than the fact that they’re still kids and are deserving of being found no matter what. I would use my degree to not only help those in need and those still missing but would also use my knowledge to inform and educate others. On how to recognize signs of people who are missing and those who are in danger to help themselves. Teaching kids and adults how to spot those who may be abused, and those who are being abused ways to free themselves or alert others is something I would be passionate about as well. In conclusion, I aspire to make a difference not only in the world of criminal justice, but to also help make a change in the world for those in need and those in communities like mine, people of color, women, women of color, and women of color in the justice system, which can help open doors for everyone. Having the ability to focus on my studies and major in university without the concerns of financial needs is something I am trying to accomplish so that I can put all my best towards my passions and not be consumed by the financial aspect of college.

My future goal is to be an architectural designer, specifically for residential homes around the world. I love to design, create and draw; incorporating aspects of Gothic, Baroque, and Post-Modern architecture in my sketches. I want to attend a university to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degrees so that I can be prepared to work with a firm and eventually have my own. There is only one licensed black-female architect in the state of Colorado. I want to change that and be an example in the S.T.E.A.M. field. I will embody the Luminaut Value of being humble yet hungry by ensuring that I am constantly learning and educating myself on architectural role models, their successes, and how I can do something similar for communities in need. Being humble is an attribute that many people look for in those who are successful because when most people start to get attention for their work, they become arrogant and think they are more valuable than others. However, when you can recognize your work and accomplishments, while still respecting others, it shows that you are grateful for what you have and are hungry for more. The second Luminaut value about staying focused yet fun is something I will accomplish by staying serious about my work and not getting easily distracted. I am creative, and I want to show that in my designs. I do not want to become one of those designers who is just about their work and never allows themselves to have fun and try new things. I want to design in a way that shows what I am experiencing in life through what I create and how the environment affects my view of the world. Lastly, the ability to be super yet human is something I will demonstrate in all of my projects through my strengths and drive, while also being okay with making mistakes. I am a perfectionist, so I have a hard time when something is not up to my standard or deemed “perfect”. This leaves me with the idea that everything I do must be without error, but my teachers used to always say that “mistakes are opportunities to learn”, so if I can still allow myself to show imperfections in my artwork it will let others know that I am learning and growing and that mistakes are beautiful. Receiving this scholarship would make such a big difference in my ability to attend CU Denver. I would use this award to focus on my studies and passions, rather than be concerned about the finances of taking courses. Finances are such a prominent factor in college and having this scholarship would be extremely helpful and assist in taking some of the weight of paying for college off of my shoulders. I am the oldest of four children, in a homeschooling family. My parents made many sacrifices to help me focus on my education so that we can fulfill our dreams. To conclude, my passion is to succeed in a white-male-dominated field and create homes and buildings that will not only show my artistic views but also help marginalized communities through the kinds of architectural styles I am inspired by. I want to inspire other young-black women like me to push the boundaries. Obtaining this scholarship would help me further my education and career.

I plan to attend a 4-year college, beginning with the University of Colorado Denver and then attend another institution for my master’s degree. I am interested in Residential Architectural Design, Investigative Journalism/Criminology, and Zoology/Wildlife Journalism. I have loved animals since I was young, beginning with seeing the great Steve Irwin and his daughter on Animal Planet in Africa and then learning about Jane Goodall, “the woman who redefined man”. I was always intrigued not only by animals' physical beauty and features, but also by their ability to survive in harsh climates that humans wouldn’t, their resilience, and how different so many of them are compared to how many people describe them to be. An example would be bears. How many people say they just attack people and are awful, but in reality, they mind their own business and don’t get defensive unless provoked? I would try to use this mindset toward animals I would encounter in my own life. Not lions, chimpanzees, or alligators, but a frequent visitor in my area, snakes. Most people are terrified of snakes, and I do have worries depending on how venomous they are, but I knew that if I educated myself on different types of snakes, what doesn’t scare them and what does, I would feel more comfortable. After doing that, I was able to convince my family to get a corn snake named Charlie, which we had for almost a year until she bit me. Although that bite hurt, it didn’t prevent me from still wanting to find garden snakes and bull snakes in my environment. I learned from incredible wildlife conservationists, such as Steve Irwin, that although an animal may hurt you, it’s not personal. We can connect to others and grow if we persevere, like Jane Goodall. Discovering that she was the first person to truly note details and see the similarities between human beings and chimpanzees in the wild, was something I found inspiring. Her being an intern and then traveling to Gombee, Africa in her twenties, was something I desired to replicate in some form. Then finding out that there were hardly any women, let alone women of color, zoologists who were deep in the field, became something I wanted to change. Growing up, I loved seeing all of the animal photos and people in places like Iceland, South Africa, India, and other locations in National Geographic. I hope to be featured in an article like that one day. I am interested in Architecture as well, so I figured why not try to blend the two careers; by designing habitats, zoo enclosures, and other communities to help protect animals in their natural environments from going extinct. An example would be the Ellen DeGeneres Diane Fossey project in Africa, where the talk show host helped design a “campus for gorilla conservation.” In conclusion, I aspire to make a difference in the animal and S.T.E.A.M. world, along with being a role model for other young girls, like me, so that we can travel the world studying animals and make a difference for our communities and future on this Earth. Having the ability to focus on my studies without the burden of financial needs is something I am trying to accomplish so that I can put my best efforts towards my passions and not be consumed by the financial aspect of college, which is something so many students struggle with.

I have been a member of the National Honor Society for two years, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, participated in Track & Field my senior year, and volunteer organizations and I am the oldest of four children. I have been wanting to receive my master's in Architectural Design and pursue a career in architecture since I was in middle school; playing Minecraft, drawing landscapes and homes, and learning about the opportunity to create new homes, museums, and more for the world to see. I have seen how many people struggle to find homes and living quarters across America, especially in communities of color and immigrants. I hope that I can help design more homes and spaces for those who may not have all the resources in their own homes; along with creating living environments that not only help people in need such as immigrant families, homeless people, people of color, and more. Creating a home that collaborates with the surrounding environment is important because it will work with the environment rather than against it. I have found STEAM, specifically architecture, very interesting because it is a field that is so vital to society and the advances of technology. Architecture is also a field that requires a broad sense of creativity and imagination; things that humans all have but vary depending on the person. With the growth of AI technology and robotic machinery, careers are going to soon be managed by technology rather than humans; so if humans can continue to integrate their creativity, memories, experiences, and environments into their work it will continue to be a field that is special to people. Although architecture is an incredibly fascinating and needed field, it is not very diverse with women, let alone women of color. There is only one licensed black-female architect in the entire state of Colorado and I want that number to change. I am passionate about making sure that number changes and grows, not just two architects, but hopefully hundreds more in the future. Having architects design buildings in our society is very much needed but there should also be more designs of living quarters for those in need and those who may need work on the construction, the grounds, or the designs themselves. In conclusion, I aspire to make a difference not only in the world of architectural design, but to also help make a change in the world for those in need and those in communities like mine, people of color, women, women of color, and women of color in S.T.E.A.M., which can help open doors for everyone. Having the ability to focus on my studies and major in university without the concerns of financial needs is something I am trying to accomplish so that I can put all my best towards my passions and not be consumed by the financial aspect of college.