Plants have always represented resilience to me—quietly growing, adapting, and healing even in the harshest of environments. As I pursue my degree in botany, I am inspired every day by the possibility that plants offer us not only beauty but hope and healing for a damaged world. My greatest passion lies in using plants—especially hyperaccumulators, species capable of extracting pollutants from soil and water—to help restore environments degraded by human activity. I hope to make a career out of designing ecologically resilient landscapes that can bring life and balance back to places that have been harmed. My path to higher education, and to this calling, has not been easy. I am a first-generation college student from a broken home, raised well below the poverty line. There was no expectation in my family that I would go to college, much less study a scientific field. My earlier attempt at college ended in disappointment when I dropped out after facing an unsupportive environment. I pursued music professionally for several years but ultimately found the lifestyle unfulfilling and struggled with depression during that time. The COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point in my life. I was working as a server when the world seemed to lose its collective sense of decency—people were angry, scared, and often unkind. The experience wore on me emotionally and mentally, and I knew I needed to find a more meaningful, healing direction for my life. I returned to school, this time to study botany, where I found a renewed sense of purpose. My passion for phytoremediation and bioengineering deepened during a transformative trip to Little Cayman Island, a Marine Protected Area. There, I witnessed the extraordinary role of mangroves—hyperaccumulator plants that stabilize coastlines, filter pollutants, and provide critical habitat. Observing these natural engineers at work reinforced my desire to dedicate my career to helping plants and ecosystems repair our human-made environmental damage. I envision a future where I design green infrastructure and restored habitats using native plants and hyperaccumulators to improve soil health, purify water, and create sustainable spaces for both wildlife and people. The adversity I’ve faced—poverty, educational setbacks, depression, and growing up in an unstable household—has only strengthened my determination and deepened my empathy. I know what it means to start from behind, to persevere when the odds seem stacked against you, and to keep pursuing your passion even when life throws obstacles in your path. In many ways, I feel a kinship with the plants I have been studying; adapting, surviving, and slowly building something new and beautiful from difficult circumstances. I am applying for this scholarship because it will directly help me achieve my goal of becoming a leader in ecological restoration and green space design. Financial hardship has always been a barrier for me, but scholarships like this one allow me to focus on my education and research without being constantly pulled away by economic survival. I want to honor the spirit of this award by using my education to bring healing—both environmental and personal—to the world around me. I believe I am deserving of this opportunity because I am driven, passionate, and committed to making a lasting impact through my work. Like Jay Curry, I find purpose and joy in creating beautiful, resilient spaces that nurture life. Through botany and ecological restoration, I hope to give back to my community and the planet in ways that endure long after I am gone.

Pursuing higher education at this stage of my life is more than just an academic decision—it's a deeply personal commitment to growth, service, and purpose. I am proud to be the first person in my family to earn a degree, but the path here has been anything but linear. I began my college journey years ago as a music education major, full of enthusiasm but met with discouragement. A series of unsupportive professors and a lack of academic community made it difficult to thrive. Instead of continuing down a path that no longer inspired me, I left school to pursue a professional music career. On stage, I found moments of expression and connection, but over time I realized that performing music wasn’t enough to fulfill my deeper desire to make a lasting, tangible difference in the world. While working as a server to support myself, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. I witnessed firsthand how society’s sense of public decency and mutual respect began to erode under stress. The job became emotionally exhausting and financially unviable, so I began to re-evaluate what I truly wanted to do with my life. It was in that moment of uncertainty that I rediscovered a lifelong passion for growing things and decided to go back to school to study botany. That decision changed everything. As I immersed myself in school, I became increasingly drawn to phytoremediation—the use of plants to clean and restore polluted environments. This interest deepened after a transformative trip to Little Cayman Island to study biodiversity in a designated Marine Protected Area. While studying mangroves and coral reefs, I witnessed the quiet, powerful work of nature’s own engineers. Mangroves, in particular, opened my eyes to the idea that plants could be tools for healing—not just ecosystems, but communities. These hyperaccumulators filter toxins, stabilize shorelines, and nurture marine life, all while thriving in harsh conditions. I knew then that I wanted to become a bioengineer, using the intersection of biology and technology to restore damaged landscapes and protect our planet’s future. These experiences have reshaped my values and aspirations. I believe deeply in sustainability, equity, and the responsibility we have to serve the places we live. My goal is to engineer ecologically balanced environments—particularly in areas affected by industrial pollution, climate change, or neglect—and to work with communities to design green spaces that are both restorative and resilient. This work not only contributes to environmental health but also helps improve public well-being, access to nature, and local food systems. Education is now my bridge to these goals. Through a degree in bioengineering, I’ll gain the scientific knowledge, technical skills, and research experience necessary to lead impactful restoration projects. This scholarship will be instrumental in helping me complete my studies without the financial burden that has held many in my family back. It would allow me to focus fully on building a career centered on service—to people, to the environment, and to the generations who will inherit what we leave behind. My journey has taken me through music halls, restaurants, coral reefs, and classrooms—but each chapter has led me closer to this moment. I am ready to use everything I’ve learned, from both success and hardship, to make the world a healthier and more hopeful place.

I want to become a bioengineer to help design and restore environments that have been damaged by human activity. My focus is on creating sustainable, ecologically resilient systems that work with nature—not against it. I believe that engineering should be a tool for healing, and my goal is to use bioengineering to rehabilitate landscapes, reintroduce native species, and restore natural balance in places where it has been lost. One of the most defining moments in my journey was visiting Little Cayman Island, a Marine Protected Area in the Caribbean. There, I had the opportunity to observe mangrove ecosystems up close—particularly how these plants, known as hyperaccumulators, play a crucial role in stabilizing coastal environments. Mangroves filter pollutants, trap sediments, prevent shoreline erosion, and serve as vital habitats for marine life. Seeing their impact firsthand was powerful. They were not just trees—they were nature’s engineers, solving complex environmental problems with elegant simplicity. That experience opened my eyes to how natural systems already have the tools to repair ecological damage—and how our job as engineers should be to support, design, and scale those systems through science and technology. It was on that island, snorkeling in knee-deep water and surrounded by mangrove roots, that I realized I wanted to help engineer a solution to our global environmental challenges. It wasn’t about imposing human structures on nature—it was about understanding and amplifying what nature already does best. As a future bioengineer, I am particularly interested in designing and restoring ecologically sensitive areas using native plant species, natural water filtration systems, and environmentally integrated designs. Whether it’s building wetlands to clean contaminated water, replanting degraded land with native flora, or stabilizing soils in post-industrial zones, I want to bring scientific innovation and environmental empathy together. Technology will be an essential part of my work. I plan to use tools like drone-based LiDAR scanning and GIS mapping to assess terrain and develop data-informed restoration strategies. These tools allow for precise, non-invasive analysis of landscapes, helping us restore ecosystems without further disrupting them. With this information, I hope to build environments that are not only biologically diverse but also functional, self-sustaining, and beneficial to nearby communities. That human element is especially important to me. I believe ecological restoration can—and should—serve people as much as it serves nature. Reviving native landscapes improves air and water quality, supports local food systems, and provides spaces for recreation, cultural expression, and education. In my work, I want to involve local communities in every stage of the design and restoration process, empowering them with knowledge and tools to care for the land long after the initial work is complete. Through a career in bioengineering, I hope to be part of a movement that redefines what it means to build something. I want to create living systems, not just infrastructure. I want to restore ecosystems, not just repair damage. And most of all, I want to be part of a generation of engineers who measure success not just in what we construct, but in what we help regenerate. In every project, I’ll carry the memory of those mangroves in Little Cayman—a reminder of how powerful nature can be, and how much we can achieve when we choose to work alongside it.

Among the many technological innovations of the past decade, LiDAR drones stand out as my favorite. These remarkable devices have revolutionized fields ranging from archaeology to agriculture. For me, they symbolize more than just a leap in technological advancement; they represent a powerful, non-invasive tool to help us reconnect with the Earth, understand our impact on it, and work toward restoring what we’ve damaged. As a future Dynamic Woman in I.T., I see LiDAR drones not only as instruments of precision but as allies in my mission to heal ecological wounds caused by anthropogenic activity. What makes LiDAR drones so amazing to me is their ability to scan the Earth's surface in incredible detail without disturbing anything. In archaeology, they have unveiled hidden ruins and ancient cities buried under dense forests, finds that would have taken decades to uncover through traditional excavation and damage already critically endangered ecosystems. In agriculture, these drones help monitor crop health, assess soil composition, and track changes in vegetation with remarkable accuracy. Both applications rely on the drones' capacity to "see" through plant cover and build 3D models of terrain—offering a way to explore, monitor, and learn without clearing land or disrupting ecosystems. This non-invasive quality is what makes LiDAR drones such an interesting and useful technology. As someone dedicated to environmental remediation, I aim to leverage technology to restore native plant species in ecologically damaged areas. The balance of nature has been deeply affected by anthropogenic activities—industrial development, deforestation, pollution—and it is our responsibility to restore it. By using LiDAR drones to map and assess degraded landscapes, I can identify the best locations for replanting efforts, track ecological changes over time, and monitor the success of remediation projects with minimal environmental intrusion. Beyond ecological impact, this work has profound potential to help local communities. Healthy ecosystems provide cleaner air, more stable soils, and natural water filtration—essential components for human health and resilience. Restoring native plant life can reduce the risk of flooding, create buffers against climate extremes, and even revitalize local agriculture by improving soil health. Reintroducing biodiversity also brings back pollinators and wildlife, which in turn supports food systems and eco-tourism opportunities. Not to mention the majority of new life-changing drugs come directly from the plants around us, so remediating our environment has multiple ways it can benefit both the local community and global one as well. Moreover, I envision collaborating with local communities to involve them in restoration efforts—sharing knowledge, offering training, and using technology to empower rather than displace. LiDAR data can be used to inform community planning, guide sustainable farming practices, and support indigenous or traditional ecological knowledge with modern tools. By making technology accessible and community-centered, we ensure that environmental progress is inclusive and sustainable. As a woman in the information technology field, I am passionate about using my skills to bridge the gap between cutting-edge tech and environmental stewardship. I want to show that I.T. isn’t just about coding or servers—it’s about creating intelligent systems that can lead to meaningful change. My journey is driven by the belief that we can live in harmony with nature, even in the face of past mistakes. As a Dynamic Woman in STEM, I’m embracing a future where technology serves not just innovation, but regeneration. With every flight over a damaged landscape, we gather not only data but hope—a clearer picture of where we've been, and a smarter path to where we must go. Through this work, I aspire to be a catalyst for healing, blending technology, ecology, and community to bring back balance and beauty to the world around us

Magic Music Days at Disney has to be one of my favorite things about Disney. This was an incredible and transformative experience for me as a high school student involved in both marching band and orchestra. It was a unique opportunity that not only allowed me to showcase my musical talents but also provided valuable exposure to the real-world realm of music and food production. As a member of the marching band, I got to perform in captivating parades down the iconic Main Street, USA. The feeling of marching in synchronized precision alongside my bandmates, playing dynamic tunes that reverberated through the crowd, paired with the performance level of the professional character actors, was an unforgettable experience. The energy and enthusiasm from the spectators fueled our performance, and the joy on their faces validated the countless hours of practice and dedication we had put into perfecting our craft. In addition to the parades, we also had the privilege of performing in the renowned Disney World parks, where our music resonated through the grandiose venues. Whether it was the majestic Cinderella Castle or the bustling streets of Epcot, the opportunity to share our musical talents in such iconic settings was a dream come true. Furthermore, Magic Music Days provided a glimpse into the world of professional music production. We had the chance to warm up and rehearse backstage in the same studio the Official Disney Orchestra records the soundtracks and background music for all Disney movies. As a lower-income school, being able to play and use the same space and some of the same gear as the professional was a life-changing experience for many of us, myself included. Beyond the performances, we got to take a backstage tour of Epcot one year and see the food production and hydroponic gardens, which have become a massively influential part of my adult life. Seeing how much food was produced in such a small space, and how it provided a constant source of fresh foods for their restaurants was an integral part of my love for botany and my desire to start urban gardening projects and eventually take farming off-world. In retrospect, Magic Music Days at Disney was an invaluable experience that went beyond mere performances. It instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the art of music, exposed me to the intricacies of music production, showed me the lush gardens of the future, and gave me fertile ground for innovation and growth; it was a journey that taught me the importance of discipline, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence. Most importantly, it ignited a spark within me to continue my musical journey and pursue a career in agriculture in this world and space.

Throughout my tenure as a founding member and leader of my online book club community, I have demonstrated various leadership qualities and undertaken several initiatives. Firstly, I take pride in inspiring individuals to read and fostering a sense of belonging within our community. By organizing publicly hosted community meets, posting democratically run polls, and maintaining voting records, I ensure that members have a platform to come together, share their thoughts, and engage in meaningful discussions about literature that allows everyone to have a voice. Our book club meets have member attendance anywhere from 50 people to several hundred, depending on the book selection. To further promote our book club, I utilize my creativity to design eye-catching and unique posters that capture the essence of each selected book. These posters not only attract attention but also convey the excitement and value of reading, inspiring others to participate and discover new literary works. Maintaining effective promotion is another crucial aspect of my leadership role. By continuously sharing updates, recommendations, and engaging content related to our book club, I strive to keep the enthusiasm alive and attract new members. Additionally, I take the initiative to establish connections with relevant authors, inviting them to our community meets as guest speakers or arranging online Q&A sessions. These interactions offer our members unique opportunities to engage directly with authors, gaining insights into their creative processes and fostering a deeper appreciation for literature. In the future, I aim to leverage my leadership skills and passion for botany to create urban gardens and address the challenge of feeding future space explorers. Through my leadership, I aspire to develop sustainable and innovative approaches to urban gardening, utilizing vertical farming, hydroponics, and other emerging techniques. By integrating these methods, I envision creating self-sufficient and environmentally friendly urban spaces that produce fresh and nutritious food for local communities. Furthermore, I hope to collaborate with experts in the field of space exploration and agriculture to tackle the specific challenges of feeding astronauts during long-duration space missions. By applying my leadership skills to this area, I aspire to contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable food production systems for space exploration, ensuring the well-being and nutrition of future astronauts. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact on both the local and global scale through my leadership in botany. By creating urban gardens and addressing the challenges of space agriculture, I aim to foster a greater sense of food security, environmental sustainability, and innovation. Through my efforts, I hope to inspire others to embrace the potential of botany and contribute to a future where humans can thrive both on Earth and beyond.