In all my scientific research, I am particularly fascinated by Marie Curie and her discovery of the polonium and radium elements. This discovery is momentous in its invaluable contribution to finding treatments for cancer which resulted from the realization that radium kills healthy cells in the body. This realization prompted doctors to test radium on sick cells and also prompted other doctors to use the element to hinder the growth of cancer cells in patients. My fascination with this discovery is a result of the tensions, limitations, and underrepresentation of women in the STEM field in the 1900s. Marie Curie and many others like her still found a way to make contributions to the scientific and technological field that would benefit humankind later on. Curie’s contribution not only impacted the scientific world but also broke gender biases despite the negative connotations of what it meant to be a woman. Curie maintained a healthy marriage life and juggled having two children, with her husband Pierre Curie, until his death in 1906. Marrie Curie devoted countless hours to pioneering her work in radioactive materials despite the health risks that she faced and gave her life to the advancements of science. Curie’s devotion and selflessness motivate and fuel my drive in my field of study, as I would like to contribute to dismantling the discrimination that women in science endure.

When my family decided to move to New York from Antigua and Barbuda, there was a major learning curve. I was thrust straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 which was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City and I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student, even in maths, my most hated class, but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I am the type of person that does not give up easily, I push and push and push until the difficulty is resolved but in this case, I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence. Although self-studying brought no results, I further resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength. Now, I am in the 12th grade and I spend my nights watching videos on Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, Calculus and so much more. I’ve seen the beauty in Maths, for it is only a means of understanding the language of our universe. My love for STEM started back home in Antigua and Barbuda on my parent's baby blue steps in our backyard, where I would sit with my dad and look up into the night sky. From there we would converse on the intricacies of space and my love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. In fact, astrophysics and physics captivate me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me more and ignites my passion further, because I know although it seems confusing now, my determined personality and persistent nature will have no problem to keep pushing until I comprehend the concepts. Once I graduate college, I aspire to attain my Ph.D. in physics, which has been something I recently have been looking forward to as it will allow me to further my knowledge in the field and gain more insights and skills on many other topics which I can apply to newfound jobs. Studying physics would allow me to contribute to the advancements in society by using my studies to better my peers and my understanding of quantum computers and the applications of quantum physics. I would also take it a step further by tutoring young adults who are contemplating going into the field of physics. This will allow for higher rates of diversity allowing these young minds from different walks of life to contribute to this field and find their love for STEM as I have.

When my family decided to move to New York from Antigua and Barbuda, there was a major learning curve. I was thrust straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 which was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City and I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student, even in maths, my most hated class, but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I am the type of person that does not give up easily, I push and push and push until the difficulty is resolved but in this case, I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence. Although self-studying brought no results, I further resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength. Now, I am in the 12th grade and I spend my nights watching videos on Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, Calculus and so much more. I’ve seen the beauty in Maths, for it is only a means of understanding the language of our universe. My love for STEM started back home in Antigua and Barbuda on my parent's baby blue steps in our backyard, where I would sit with my dad and look up into the night sky. From there we would converse on the intricacies of space and my love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. In fact, astrophysics and physics captivate me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me more and ignites my passion further, because I know although it seems confusing now, my determined personality and persistent nature will have no problem to keep pushing until I comprehend the concepts. Once I graduate college, I aspire to attain my Ph.D. in physics, which has been something I recently have been looking forward to as it will allow me to further my knowledge in the field and gain more insights and skills on many other topics which I can apply to newfound jobs. I aspire to further my interpersonal skills as well as my research skills which I know will be most beneficial. I would like to contribute to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying that I did not believe were possible when I first moved to the United States.

When my family decided to move to New York from Antigua and Barbuda, there was a major learning curve. I was thrust straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 which was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City and I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student, even in maths, my most hated class, but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I am the type of person that does not give up easily, I push and push and push until the difficulty is resolved but in this case, I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence. Although self-studying brought no results, I further resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength. Now, I am in the 12th grade and I spend my nights watching videos on Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, Calculus and so much more. I’ve seen the beauty in Maths, for it is only a means of understanding the language of our universe. My passion for STEM thrives from its ability to create countless opportunities for black women to make the world a better, safer place. Growing up, observing the world around me, I found my passion for physics. The fact that I would be learning about topics that most individuals do not normally ponder on a daily basis thrills me. It captivates me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me and ignites my passion further. Although it seems confusing now, my determined personality will have no problem pushing until I comprehend the concepts. The field of STEM has so many opportunities for young people to thrive and be a part of something greater that will revolutionize the world. Studying physics would allow me to contribute to the advancements in society by using my studies to better my peers and my understanding of quantum computers and the applications of quantum physics. I would also take it a step further by tutoring young adults who are contemplating going into the field of physics. This will allow for higher rates of diversity allowing these young minds from different walks of life to contribute to this field and find their love for STEM as I have.

When my family decided to move to New York from Antigua and Barbuda, there was a major learning curve. I was thrust straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 which was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City and I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student, even in maths, my most hated class, but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I am the type of person that does not give up easily, I push and push and push until the difficulty is resolved but in this case, I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence. Although self-studying brought no results, I further resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength. Now, I am in the 12th grade and I spend my nights watching videos on Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, Calculus and so much more. I’ve seen the beauty in Maths, for it is only a means of understanding the language of our universe. My passion for STEM thrives from its ability to create countless opportunities for black women to make the world a better, safer place. Growing up, observing the world around me, I found my passion for physics. The fact that I would be learning about topics that most individuals do not normally ponder on a daily basis thrills me. It captivates me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me and ignites my passion further. Although it seems confusing now, my determined personality will have no problem pushing until I comprehend the concepts. The field of STEM has so many opportunities for young people to thrive and be a part of something greater that will revolutionize the world. Studying physics would allow me to contribute to the advancements in society by using my studies to better my peers and my understanding of quantum computers and the applications of quantum physics. I would also take it a step further by tutoring young adults who are contemplating going into the field of physics. This will allow for higher rates of diversity allowing these young minds from different walks of life to contribute to this field and find their love for STEM as I have.

My love for STEM started back home in Antigua and Barbuda on my parent's baby blue steps in our backyard, where I would sit with my dad and look up into the night sky. From there we would converse on the intricacies of space and my love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. In fact, astrophysics and physics captivate me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me more and ignites my passion further, because I know although it seems confusing now, my determined personality and persistent nature will have no problem to keep pushing until I comprehend the concepts. Once I graduate college, I aspire to attain my Ph.D. in physics, which has been something I recently have been looking forward to as it will allow me to further my knowledge in the field and gain more insights and skills on many other topics which I can apply to newfound jobs. I aspire to further my interpersonal skills as well as my research skills which I know will be most beneficial. I would like to contribute to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying that I did not believe were possible when I first moved to the United States. In all my scientific research, I am particularly fascinated by Marie Curie and her discovery of the polonium and radium elements. This discovery is momentous in its invaluable contribution to finding treatments for cancer which resulted from the realization that radium kills healthy cells in the body. This realization prompted doctors to test radium on sick cells and also prompted other doctors to use the element to hinder the growth of cancer cells in patients. My fascination with this discovery is a result of the tensions, limitations, and underrepresentation of women in the STEM field in the 1900s. Marie Curie and many others like her still found a way to make contributions to the scientific and technological field that would benefit humankind later on. Curie’s contribution not only impacted the scientific world but also broke gender biases despite the negative connotations of what it meant to be a woman. Curie maintained a healthy marriage life and juggled having two children, with her husband Pierre Curie, until his death in 1906. Marrie Curie devoted countless hours to pioneering her work in radioactive materials despite the health risks that she faced and gave her life to the advancements of science. Curie’s devotion and selflessness motivate and fuel my drive in my field of study, as I would like to contribute to dismantling the discrimination that women in science endure.

In all my scientific research, I am particularly fascinated by Marie Curie and her discovery of the polonium and radium elements. This discovery is momentous in its invaluable contribution to finding treatments for cancer which resulted from the realization that radium kills healthy cells in the body. This realization prompted doctors to test radium on sick cells and also prompted other doctors to use the element to hinder the growth of cancer cells in patients. My fascination with this discovery is a result of the tensions, limitations, and underrepresentation of women in the STEM field in the 1900s. Marie Curie and many others like her still found a way to make contributions to the scientific and technological field that would benefit humankind later on. Curie’s contribution not only impacted the scientific world but also broke gender biases despite the negative connotations of what it meant to be a woman. Curie maintained a healthy marriage life and juggled having two children, with her husband Pierre Curie, until his death in 1906. Marrie Curie devoted countless hours to pioneering her work in radioactive materials despite the health risks that she faced and gave her life to the advancements of science. Curie’s devotion and selflessness motivate and fuel my drive in my field of study, as I would like to contribute to dismantling the discrimination that women in science endure.

Physics captivates me. Growing up, observing the world around me, I found my passion for physics. People are often discouraged when learning a new topic and oftentimes give up, but I persevere. In fact, it captivates so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me more and ignites my passion further, because I know although it seems confusing now, my determined personality will have no problem to keep pushing until I comprehend the concepts. With physics, there's just no limit to the universe, the possibilities are endless, the theoretical aspects of Quantum Mechanics, and the mind-boggling look into the greatest scientific minds in history like Einstein, Schrodinger, Hawking, and Heisenberg, excites my curiosity. The field of STEM has so many opportunities for young people to thrive and be a part of something greater that will revolutionize the world. The fact that I would be learning about topics that most individuals don’t normally ponder on a daily basis thrills me. I know the universe is a complicated place but I am willing to go the distance to uncover its secrets.

The ability for particles to communicate and share information across great distances is known as quantum entanglement, and it is one of the most mind-boggling phenomena in quantum physics. I first got exposure to the term quantum entanglement while watching the science fiction show The Flash. Quickly, I went and researched what the term meant exactly. Being as interested as I am in the world of physics and astronomy, I found joy in researching and trying to understand the uniqueness in how quantum entanglement works. Quantum entanglement is essentially a particle's ability to interact with other particles and communicate great distances. Particles share information with each other even when both particles are separated. This in turn entangles the particles because the information is not lost. The way quantum entanglement works lies within the spin of the particle's electrons. An electron has two spins, spin up and spin down. The particle can never have both spins at the same time unless they are entangled which would mean that neither one of the particle's states has been observed or the wave function has not been collapsed yet. For the wave function to be collapsed, either one of the particle states has to be observed, and only when this is done will the particles cease to be entangled. I find the phenomena of quantum entanglement intriguing because it forces me to really dive deeper into the quantum world and to allow myself to be open to all possibilities when it comes to STEM. To me, STEM is just a way of understanding the world around me and the underlying mechanisms at work. My passion for STEM comes from its ability to create countless opportunities for black women to make the world a better, safer place. Growing up, observing the world around me, I found my passion for physics. The fact that I would be learning about topics that most individuals do not normally ponder on a daily basis thrills me. It captivates me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me and ignites my passion further. Although it seems confusing now, my determined personality will have no problem pushing until I comprehend the concepts. The field of STEM has so many opportunities for young people to thrive and be a part of something greater that will revolutionize the world. I will use this degree to uplift the community by using my studies to better my peers and my understanding of quantum computers and the applications of quantum physics. I would also take it a step further by tutoring young adults who are contemplating going into the field of physics. This will allow for higher rates of diversity allowing these young minds from different walks of life to contribute to the field.

My love for STEM started back home in Antigua and Barbuda on my parent's baby blue steps in our backyard, where I would sit with my dad and look up into the night sky. From there we would converse on the intricacies of space and my love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. In fact, astrophysics and physics captivate me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me more and ignites my passion further, because I know although it seems confusing now, my determined personality and persistent nature will have no problem to keep pushing until I comprehend the concepts. Once I graduate college, I aspire to attain my Ph.D. in physics, which has been something I recently have been looking forward to as it will allow me to further my knowledge in the field and gain more insights and skills on many other topics to which I can apply to newfound jobs. I aspire to further my interpersonal skills as well as my research skills which I know will be most beneficial. I would like to contribute to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying which I did not believe was possible when I first moved to the United States.

Moving from the Caribbean Island of Antigua to New York in hopes of better opportunities and going straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City and I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence and I resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength.

My love for STEM started back home in Antigua and Barbuda on my parent's baby blue steps in our backyard, where I would sit with my dad and look up into the night sky. From there we would converse on the intricacies of space and my love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. In fact, astrophysics and physics captivate me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me more and ignites my passion further, because I know although it seems confusing now, my determined personality and persistent nature will have no problem to keep pushing until I comprehend the concepts. Once I graduate college, I aspire to attain my Ph.D. in physics, which has been something I recently have been looking forward to as it will allow me to further my knowledge in the field and gain more insights and skills on many other topics to which I can apply to newfound jobs. I aspire to further my interpersonal skills as well as my research skills which I know will be most beneficial. I would like to contribute to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying which I did not believe was possible when I first moved to the United States. When my family decided to move to New York from Antigua and Barbuda, there was a major learning curve. I was thrust straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 which was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City and I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence and I resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength.

One pound, six ounces. I fit in the palm of my father's hand. Doctors felt it necessary to describe a bleak future, “She might not live, if she does she might have an intellectual deficit.” Suggesting the most undesirable, unwanted outcome was to suggest what scientifically couldn’t be proven. While statistically probable, there must be alternative possibilities. My gamma-ray bursts of electromagnetic energy fueled me to immediately start engaging in peer interactions before the age of one. Was this a medical mystery? As I grew, I felt a gravitational pull towards learning about the natural world. College felt lightyears away yet space and I were connected. Was astrophysics my calling?

Imagine a girl from the Caribbean Island of Antigua and Barbuda who was thrust into the fast-paced life of New York City, forced to adjust. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence and I resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength. Consequently, I want to go to college because I see it as a way of getting to know more of myself and others. Furthering your education gives an individual the chance of more self-expression, freedom and increases one’s intellectual potential. Neither of my parents matriculated to tertiary education and I would love to go to college to give back to my parents for all they did for me. For teaching me life lessons that I will take with me on the college adventure. The world we live in is making many advancements in technology and obtaining a job in information technology would allow me to contribute to the advancements in society by utilizing my studies to better my peers and my understanding of quantum computers and the applications of quantum physics. Using my studies to do this, would bring advancements to both science and technology by bringing about more applicable implications to everyday life. I also plan on using my education to make a positive impact by contributing to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying which is where my mind traveled to when I ventured outside on those long nights with my father. I would also take it a step further by tutoring young adults who are contemplating going into the field of physics. This will allow for higher rates of diversity allowing these young minds from different walks of life to contribute to this field.

Imagine a girl from the Caribbean Island of Antigua and Barbuda who was thrust into the fast-paced life of New York City. Before migrating, I was just a girl on a mission trying to get her dad to stop smoking. My days involved countless hours of researching the harmful effects of smoking. To no avail, the lectures I would give to him on these effects did not stop him. I resorted to spending as much time with him as I could because I feared the worst. As he smoked on our baby blue steps in our backyard, I would sit with him and look up into the night sky, and he would follow suit. From there we would converse on the mechanisms and intricacies of space. My love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. Fearing for my dad’s life caused me to find solace in the stars. I knew I could rely on them to be there in my times of worry. Consequently, if I could do anything with my life, I would want to contribute to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying which is where my mind traveled to when I ventured outside on those long nights with my father. My passion for STEM comes from its ability to create countless opportunities for black women to make the world a better, safer place. Growing up, observing the world around me, I found my passion for physics. The fact that I would be learning about topics that most individuals do not normally ponder daily thrills me. It captivates me so much that when I learn a new concept in astrophysics or physics for that matter, I do not mind the profound confusion I may experience; it only excites me and ignites my passion further. Although it seems confusing now, my determined personality will have no problem pushing until I comprehend the concepts. The field of STEM has so many opportunities for young people to thrive and be a part of something greater that will revolutionize the world. Obtaining a job in information technology would allow me to contribute to the advancements in society by using my studies to better my peers and my understanding of quantum computers and the applications of quantum physics. I would also take it a step further by tutoring young adults who are contemplating going into the field of physics. This will allow for higher rates of diversity allowing these young minds from different walks of life to contribute to this field. Moving from the Caribbean Island of Antigua in hopes of better opportunities and going straight into 8th grade at the age of 14 was a struggle for me. I was forced to adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City I was not used to. I had to adjust to a different teaching style than what I was used to in Antigua. Growing up, I’ve always been a straight-A student but when I migrated to America I was thrown into a completely different world where I found myself failing my classes. But I quickly turned most of that around as my efforts of self-study grew, but as for my math grades, they suffered the most. My efforts of self-study brought no improvements. I was on the verge of giving up. My self-confidence suffered. I thought because I saw no improvements, it reflected my intelligence and I resorted to seeking regular help from my math teacher. I went from having a 33 percent in my math class to having 80s and above. This experience led me to learn that no matter how hard something may seem, with practice, patience and determination, the problem becomes easier. I learned that sometimes we should put our pride aside and ask for help because asking for help can be the difference between failing and passing. On the contrary, surrendering and asking for help is a sign of strength.

The ability for particles to communicate and share information across great distances is known as quantum entanglement, and it is one of the most mind-boggling phenomena in quantum physics. I first got exposure to the term quantum entanglement while watching the science fiction show the Flash. Quickly, I went and researched what the term meant exactly. Being as interested as I am in the world of physics and astronomy, I found joy in researching and trying to understand the uniqueness in how quantum entanglement works. Quantum entanglement is essentially a particle's ability to interact with other particles and communicate great distances. Particles share information with each other even when both particles are separated. This in turn entangles the particles because the information is not lost. The way quantum entanglement works lies within the spin of the particle's electrons. An electron has two spins, spin up and spin down. The particle can never have both spins at the same time unless they are entangled which would mean that neither one of the particle's states has been observed or the wave function has not been collapsed yet. For the wave function to be collapsed, either one of the particle states has to be observed, and only when this is done will the particles cease to be entangled. I find the phenomena of quantum entanglement intriguing because it forces me to dive deeper into the quantum world and to allow myself to be open to all possibilities when it comes to STEM. To me, STEM is just a way of understanding the world around me and the underlying mechanisms at work. My love for STEM started back home in Antigua and Barbuda where I was a girl on a mission trying to get her dad to stop smoking. My days involved countless hours of conducting research on the harmful effects of smoking and seeing to no avail the lectures I would give to him on these effects did not stop him. I resorted to spending as much time with him as I could because I feared the worst. As he smoked on our baby blue steps in our backyard, I would sit with him and look up into the night sky, he would follow suit. From there we would converse on the intricacies of space. My love for astrophysics and physics blossomed here. Fearing for my dad’s life caused me to find solace in the stars because I knew I could rely on them to be there in my times of worry. It motivates me to want to contribute to the scientific community by helping fellow astrophysicists further their research on black holes and quantum entanglement, two topics I find great joy in studying which is where my mind traveled to when I ventured outside on those long nights with my father.