Racing to put on fire gear, crawling under a table, putting out a candle with a little squirt gun. That was my first experience with fire fighting. During the Cornell Career Exploration, I joined a workshop called SMART Engineering in Fire Gear Safety. I had originally joined it just because it would involve some aspects of engineering. However, after learning about how engineering benefits local organizations like fire departments, I realized I could make a difference right now and don’t have to wait until college. I soon learned that my local fire department was made up entirely of volunteers. Once I joined the fire department, I realized that they do a lot more for the community than just putting out fires. They host local events to engage with the public and inform them of different fire safety tips. They also respond to car accidents, gas hazards and automatic alarms to ensure our community’s safety. The fire department is usually the first to respond to an incident that may include emergency medical assistance. My specific role in the fire department doesn’t even involve me going into a fire. I report to the radio room where I acknowledge calls, pass on information to the fire fighters at the scene, and fill out reports. Although my role in the community seems small, it has a huge impact. Without my role, the fire fighters on the scene would miss vital information. For example, Command radioed me to inform me that the Tower must be sent out first. If I had not told the chief and engineers, then the Tower would have arrived at the scene late and potentially cost someone’s life. The reports I write allow the department to keep track of information and stay organized. This information is sometimes used to further our training and tells us what areas can be improved. Without the volunteers at these departments, our community would feel a lot less safe. Even just the thought that a group of volunteers are willing to risk their lives to serve the community brings a lot of comfort. With this scholarship, I will be able to focus on my school work without worrying about the financial burden being placed on me. I can pour all my effort into studies to better communities through engineering. Furthermore, this scholarship will allow me to branch out and spend more time volunteering in other communities rather than working to pay off the debt. Moreover, I am the first of three children, meaning my parents will still have to put two other children through college. I don’t want Cornell to affect my siblings' opportunities negatively. I know Cornell is more costly than other schools and I don’t want this to preclude me from attending and participating in the opportunities that Cornell has to offer.