Global Warming, Climate Change, and the inaction of each person only build to our problem that everybody turns their heads away from. Some might think "I can drop the trash it's just one piece on the floor". But imagine 5 billion people thinking that. each small piece adds to an already gargantuan pile. I plan to earn a degree in environmental engineering. I will be able to look after public health and invent things and ideas to heal the world that people have damaged so much. nonchalant littering and people getting away with it has to be the biggest problem this earth faces. We can only fix this by giving people ideas of not littering and the impact littering has. With a degree in Environmental Engineering, I will be able to make sustaining inventions with a very dedicated group of people who want to do the same. This action is not just needed, but desperately needed for everyone. Too many heads have turned away from this problem. The quicker we heal and sustain the earth the happier people can be. I know how impactful an Environmental Engineer can be, which is why I know this earth needs more of them. I plan to graduate high school this May and start my path toward an environmental engineering degree in the Fall of 2024.

When I think about helping our earth and the community around me, I get excited, I felt rushed when the pressure was closing in on me from all of my family members asking what I was doing for my career. Recently I've clicked with what I want to study and what career I want to focus on. I want a career both impactful and something I can enjoy doing. Environmental engineering is where I want to shine. I joined a selective program called P-TECH, where I took college courses throughout high school to earn an associate's degree in computer science. Taking my first steps towards college when I was in high school at the age of 14 was very intimidating. I wanted to join the P-TECH program so I could learn early what mindset is expected in college, So I can hold myself to a higher expectation than other students so I can learn to be better. This became very challenging, juggling high school credits with the college classes I took on more than the regular high school student, I hope I can go into College with credits already banked up for the core classes so I can focus more on what degree I want to learn and hopefully take as a career in my future. Environmental engineering has many different projects in the field, including water quality and treatment, air quality, and waste management. These are some of the most impactful projects environmental engineers focus on. These projects improve the lives of millions of people. This will make my career very rewarding. I am deeply passionate about becoming an environmental engineer due to my commitment to preserving and enhancing the health of our planet. Witnessing the escalating environmental challenges, from water pollution to climate change, has fueled my desire to contribute meaningfully to sustainable solutions. I am inspired by the prospect of applying scientific and engineering principles to address pressing environmental issues. Ultimately, my ambition is to integrate engineering expertise with a deep environmental consciousness to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient world. I am eager to engage in research, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and actively participate in shaping policies that promote environmental conservation and responsible development. Becoming an environmental engineer represents my commitment to being an agent of positive change for the environment and future generations. My early exposure to college courses has helped shape who I am and who I want to become

My Past, Present, and Future Courtrooms are intense and intimidating. My future was being decided by a stranger in a robe. A twelve-year-old just wanting to build Legos. Washington State was my home, being young I didn't understand all the mysteries of the world, I knew I had a mom who loved me, and being moved around and evicted didn't bother me as a young kid. at a younger age, I didn't even know I lived in a trailer park once we were evicted from my mom's apartment. I was pulled away from everything, my mom, and my life. Being pulled away was necessary. I would be around new family, new friends, and a community I wasn't yet a part of. I needed to move to afford school and have a better life. I learned I want to become an environmental engineer. Going into Skyline High School, I joined a selective program, P-TECH, where I would earn an AAS degree in Computer Information Systems throughout 4 years of high school. Taking my first steps towards college at 14 was intimidating. I’ve been shaped into someone who takes opportunities for success, for myself and the community. Whether I help my dorm roommate move or continue toward an environmental engineering degree at UNCW, my ability to thrive academically is present. I have always set myself to a higher standard to be good, taking college courses during high school has taught me not only how to learn in a new environment but to have a different mindset. I have bene preparing myself for college since high school and have taken many different courses to learn new things. I plan to go to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I will be new to North Carolina and have successfully made a life for myself in a new environment before, I am confident in working on starting my career in a few short months. Going into environmental engineering is about making solutions for issues of the environment. I want to make a difference whether at a beach, forest, or the mountains. At UNCW this is the best place to start my career, I have a drive to succeed. I will graduate in the spring of 2024 with a high school diploma and an associate's degree in Applied Science and a desire to contribute to learning how to heal our environment at UNCW in the fall of 2024.

What is Our Future with Renewable Energy? As we stand at the crossroads of our energy future, the imperative to forge a path toward sustainability has never been more pressing. In our pursuit of sustainability, the integration of renewable energy sources emerges as a beacon of hope. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power offer clean alternatives that mitigate the environmental impact associated with traditional sources such as coal and oil. Hybrid energy systems serve as a bridge between the old and the new, providing resilience and reliability in the face of the intermittent nature of some renewables. By strategically combining traditional sources like natural gas with solar or wind power, we create a symbiotic relationship that ensures a consistent energy supply while reducing the carbon footprint. Deploy smart grid technologies for efficient energy distribution. Smart grids balance the load by intelligently routing electricity from various sources, optimizing the use of renewables, and reducing dependence on traditional energy during peak demand. Policy plays a pivotal role in steering this transformative journey. Governments must craft incentives that encourage the adoption of renewable technologies while disincentivizing the excessive use of traditional sources. Through tax credits, subsidies, and forward-thinking regulations, policymakers can cultivate an environment where sustainable energy is not only viable but economically advantageous. This can't just be accomplished with numbers and strategies, we need to work together. By informing and raising public awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and the environmental consequences of traditional sources. Informed consumers are more likely to support sustainable energy solutions and advocate for their widespread adoption. We as a society have dug a deep hole of global environmental issues, and using renewable energy can help us to start filling in the hole and building a society that won't have to move to another planet. Achieving a sustainable and environmentally sound energy future involves a strategic integration of renewable and traditional energy sources. Combining renewables with traditional sources, hybrid systems provide a reliable and clean energy supply. Energy storage technologies and smart grids further enhance reliability by managing fluctuations in renewable output. Prioritizing energy efficiency across sectors reduces overall demand for both types of energy. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems maximize energy output, while supportive policies, research, and community engagement encourage the transition to renewables. Education and awareness play a crucial role in fostering public support. Transition planning for regions heavily reliant on traditional sources ensures a smooth shift toward a more sustainable energy landscape. This holistic approach seeks to balance the need for stability with environmental responsibility, creating a pathway to a greener and cleaner energy future.