As a child, I spent hours stacking wooden ABC blocks and clicking Legos into place, imagining towers, bridges, and cities that defied gravity and expectations. These toys were not just games; they were the earliest clues that I was meant to build things that truly mattered. Over time, I realized I did not want to leave that curiosity behind with my childhood. I wanted to channel it into my future: civil engineering. Growing up in Venus, Texas, a small and often overlooked town, I have witnessed firsthand how poor infrastructure can stall opportunity and limit growth. People complain about long waits on narrow, pothole-ridden roads, limited public services, and outdated facilities; those issues divided our town and held us back. However, to me, these everyday frustrations are blueprints waiting to be redrawn and improved. These lived experiences, in a place where access and advancement aren’t guaranteed, shaped both my interest in engineering and my desire to create real, lasting change. As someone from a low-income, first-generation background, I have often had to seek out my own opportunities in places where few existed. In high school, I joined the Technology Student Association (TSA) and worked closely with a Huckabee architect on architectural and structural design challenges. I learned to use CAD software like Revit to develop professional construction drawings and operated advanced tools like the Glowforge laser cutter and CNC VCarve system to create scale models. I designed and built a load-bearing tower from balsa wood, carefully calculating stress points and material distribution under pressure. I took the initiative to teach myself the software and worked hard to compete nationally. My effort paid off when our team placed in the top 24 at the TSA national conference. These accomplishments mean more to me because they were hard-won. I have had to balance rigorous academics, leadership roles, and community service, all while navigating systemic barriers that often make higher education feel out of reach. Instead of discouraging me, these challenges have only strengthened my determination. At the University of Texas at Austin, I plan to study civil engineering and take full advantage of programs like GEAR, engineering labs, internships, and research opportunities. I hope to specialize in structural systems, bridges, towers, and design innovative solutions that are long-lasting, accessible, safe, and environmentally responsible. I am the same kid who once built cities out of plastic bricks, but now I am learning to build them from concrete and steel. My goal is to be a civil engineer who gives underdeveloped towns a solid foundation to thrive and grow.