Throughout my journey in the sustainability sector, I have witnessed the varied and impressive benefits that are afforded through sustainability awareness and action. To believe in true sustainability is to elect human and planetary well-being as the central locus of all decisions and efforts, regardless of current eco-friendly fads. It promotes investment in people and collaborative success. This means private and corporate connections, international endeavors, and community partnerships. As populations rise, urban boundaries expand, agricultural capacity is strained, and health and safety risks escalate, reorienting the economy in all nations and sectors toward sustainability is imperative. A sustainable future to me means investing in people and applying solutions with the resources available, leaving no one behind, and providing an equitable transition for all. This is why I co-founded an e-waste organization for recycling accessibility, facilitating 14,791 lbs of e-waste recycling. It’s why I now work for my university’s Sustainability and Strategic Planning department as the Campus Recycling Coordinator to continue facilitating e-waste recycling. It’s why I became Director of our Zero-Waste Initiative and implemented a waste diversion program in RIT’s 4,000-seat hockey arena, reintroducing composting services and reducing recycling contamination. Waste diversion and recycling are valuable economically through decreased resource extraction, green job creation, reduced waste of quality material, and a host of other benefits. But just as importantly, it assists in establishing a culture of consciousness that benefits everyone. I aspire toward a sustainable world in which the economy and environment are united because I believe that is a world in which people can flourish - the world everyone deserves.

Leadership to me is not a hierarchy. It progresses past lounging on a pedestal and assigning tasks or managing employees. It is more reminiscent of a web, with a central point connecting all others, but no higher or more important than the surrounding structure. Leaders function as a core connection, and just as our eye is drawn to the center and spirals outward with the flow of a web’s weaving, attention focuses on the leader and trickles outward; leaders are representatives, and it means presenting yourself and communicating in a manner befitting to the situation. These ideals benefited me greatly when I Co-founded my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, to help facilitate the proper recycling of electronic waste. To ensure that our efforts could have a real impact, I had to present our goals in a capable manner to secure a local business sponsor for post-event handling of collected material. And it was just as valuable during the event itself when I worked to direct the volunteers in sorting and collecting items, as well as the attendee traffic for efficiency. Leading does not only mean serving as a central locus of connection, however; it just as easily entails active listening and an intake of outer perspectives. Leaders cannot become great simply by demanding respect and directing the flow of responsibility - they ascend to new heights because they are willing to consider the input of others and reach an optimal solution. By serving as a central point of communication, leaders are enabled to hear ideas of all kinds and to integrate the most beneficial pieces for all. There is obvious historical reason to dislike dictatorship, and even more abundant evidence to support democracy. It is impossible to be a good leader without having the necessary understanding that you must be willing to view issues from various perspectives. Just as you cannot expect to succeed in leadership when seeking only to control, so too can a web not function when its center point is disconnected and placed above the rest. I know this well because much of E-Waste Warriors' success would not have been possible if I had not shared responsibility with my Co-founder and listened to her ideas or trusted her abilities. Abigail and I were both leaders in our own right, but much of our achievement can be attributed to the advice we sought from others and its incorporation into our own ideas. Having met in a local leadership program for high school students across the district we were able to overcome attending separate schools with communication and cooperation. This program (Arvest-First Leadership) helped me to improve my skills, but much of my growth can be attributed to roles such as being Head Delegate in my school's Model United Nations club, serving as president of the National Honor Society chapter, and being the only current freshman student employee for the Sustainability Department on campus. Leadership has become a fundamental piece of my daily life and it is something I intend to continue working to improve and engage in. Leadership is a key distinctive factor necessary to actualize the world we deserve. Leadership inspires and connects passions of communities. With my passion for the environment and my drive to be the best leader possible, I look forward to graduating from college in a position to begin benefiting the world around me. I aspire to help promote the implementation and research of sustainable systems - a job that requires collaboration with others of all kinds to help reach the clean world future generations deserve.

I strive to become a sustainability specialist, an activist, and most importantly - a believer. I believe that a core human right is a right to a healthy and clean environment, and right now not all have that. Global pollution is increasing and a damaging stigma currently exists that portrays climate change as a sentient monster we can vanquish with enough solar panels and electric cars. Climate change requires a global commitment toward a healthier and more conscientious culture. It isn’t a fight of economy versus environment or vice versa. The division created by this fictitious belief only serves to halt our progress. If we expect people to make the best decision for future generations then we cannot act as though two vital pieces of everyday life are mutually exclusive. At this junction between the two sectors, I am excited to spearhead a charge for change. It is time to see this issue as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both. My innate drive to mitigate, if not reverse, the unparalleled damage we have inflicted on our environment is predominantly inspired by my desire for the world we seem to think can only exist in our most hopeful of dreams. I know better, creating a better world only requires one good act at a time. Creating good enables others to live the lives they deserve. That is what makes environmental public service so vital to me, and why I founded my community organization: E-Waste Warriors. My mission, through our events, was to properly dispose of E-Waste through community collection events by increasing the proper recycling of Electronic Waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. We succeeded in collecting a total of 14,791 pounds to be properly managed and were recognized by the Arkansas Recycling Coalition with the 2021 Community Involvement Project of the Year Award. It was an honor to be recognized but I was more excited to receive such an award because it exemplifies that if you chase open opportunities you can find an unlimited number of people willing to help. I may be daunted by the task set before me, but I have discovered that I am worthy of all opportunities provided to me, I am passionate, I am intelligent, but more importantly, I still believe in the way the world could be. Environmental activism and sustainability provide me with a route through which I can create a large-scale impact on the world. No matter who you are you have the right to a clean habitable environment and my work can benefit not only us now but our future generations. I know better than to limit my aspirations and I dream of working for the United Nations or overseeing large-scale sustainability investments internationally. I enjoy my work and am the only freshman employee of the sustainability department in the role of Student Recycling Coordinator. I have even had the opportunity to design a system to reach zero-waste hockey games on campus beginning next year. As a human race, we have sent men to the moon, climbed the tallest mountain on earth, and sent deep-sea probes to the lowest point below sea level. To pretend that I can’t follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest believers and doers in history would be a disservice to myself and others. Our world and its people deserve the best, and that includes my aspiration to ensure that for all future generations to come. The world deserves better, and I intend to reach it, one step at a time.

The year 2020 was, undoubtedly, one for the history books; however, through the fog of disaster and disarray that enveloped the year, rays of light still managed to stream through. The additional free time for daily schedules across the globe allowed for reflection of all kinds and enabled us to see the resilience that nature possesses. Dolphins were spotted in the canals of Venice after decades, a decline in emissions was seen in metropolitan cities worldwide, and the tree-planting search browser, Ecosia, financed over 37 million trees for reforestation projects worldwide. It took a pandemic to slow humankind down enough to remind us of the beauty of the planet we inhabit. The foundations of my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, were built from my desire to help shine my own rays of light in the fog. Our mission, through our events, was to properly dispose of E-Waste through community collection events by increasing the proper recycling of Electronic Waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. We achieved this by allowing people to conveniently and properly dispose of their electronics while preventing unwanted environmental impacts. This was only one unoccupied niche that we could fill within our community, however. Much remains to be done within the world of sustainability and exciting innovations and progress have been seen in recent years providing a great reason for hope. The climate is changing, and I am working to help the world change with it. Lamentably, a stigma currently exists portraying an inverse relationship between the economy and the environment, but I know better. The most successful manner to stay beneath the warming goal designated is to unite the two sectors. A unification easily demonstrated by our previous community service efforts. Founding our organization was much less difficult than actually achieving something through it. A few coffee meeting deliberations with my co-founder, Abigail, were eventually accompanied by a rough draft of what came to be our first event on Sunday, February 28th. The planned drive-thru event allowed us to adhere to any COVID regulations while also providing a convenient way for community members to dispose of old or unwanted electronics. Fortunately, many people have some kind of device collecting dust because, while they know better than to throw it into their general garbage, they lack the knowledge or access to progress from there. Improperly discarded electronics can have a multitude of deleterious effects, both ecologically and biologically. One town, Guiyu China, has become the poster child of the E-waste pandemic. The soil “has been found to be so saturated with heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and tin that groundwater has become undrinkable”, and “According to China's Shantou University, the town has the highest level of cancer-causing dioxins in the world” (BBC). Unsurprisingly, China is not the only country drowning in excess electronics, with electronic waste representing 70% of all toxic waste in the United States. Some hope does remain, however, by recycling just 1 million cell phones we can amass 35,000 lbs of copper, 33 lbs of palladium, 772 lbs of silver, and 75 lbs of gold for reuse. To help do our part, we secured a business sponsor, enabling us to efficiently collect and recycle any electronics we compiled. This partner, eSCO Processing and Recycling, is an E-Waste management company that operates in 3 separate states and collects electronic material from both communities and corporations alike. They provided us with a 30-foot truck, including gaylords and pallets, for collecting waste and agreed to take anything we were given to be recycled or refurbished. Because of its well-known location and centrality to many residential areas, I obtained permission from my high school to utilize the parking lot for our event, and beyond this point, much of our efforts became centralized on advertising. We worked closely with the school district for both social media and newsletter distribution, posted flyers in local coffee shops, and promoted through the local Chamber of Commerce as well as our social media and website. Our first event operated from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on February 28th, and as attendees pulled in we unloaded and sorted any items into the corresponding pallets: Computers, Printers, Cables, TVs, and Miscellaneous. After its end we had totaled over 115 attendees and 8,700 lbs of collected E-Waste, fully surpassing our expected goal within the first 45 minutes. Since then we continued hosting similarly styled drop-off events and eventually totaled 14,791 pounds of material collected before we both moved out of state to pursue our respective college educations. Our events brought both confidence and experience, but also expectations. I now know that to promote good stewardship we will need to continue to push for what we wish to see, not wish alone. I’m excited to continue helping serve my community in a way that is meaningful to me, and accessible to everyone. E-Waste Warriors provided not only a valuable service to the community, but proves the economy and environment can flourish together. Since our events I have attended Rochester Institute of Technology for a Bachelors in Environmental Sustainability, Health and Safety, as well as a Masters in Environmental Management and Safety. I am on track to graduate in a mere four years with both degrees including a minor in Environmental Studies and three completed co-op experiences. I have become the youngest team member among the sustainability department after being hired as the new Student Recycling Coordinator and I am excited to begin helping to bolster my university's role in the climate fight. While I can’t see exactly what the future holds for us, I do know that I will expand our first motive: Keeping the Natural State natural, to the whole world. I dream of a protected and profitable planet to be proud of, and I intend to spearhead the charge for change.

I strive to become a sustainability specialist, an activist, and most importantly - a believer. I believe that a core human right is a right to a healthy and clean environment, and right now not all have that. Global pollution is increasing and a damaging stigma currently exists that portrays climate change as a sentient monster we can vanquish with enough solar panels and electric cars. We, as citizens of the world, can’t accept this anymore. Climate change requires a global commitment toward a healthier and more conscientious culture. It isn’t a fight of economy versus environment or vice versa. The division created by this fictitious belief only serves to halt our progress in the right direction. If we expect people to make the best decision for future generations then we cannot act as though two vital pieces of everyday life are mutually exclusive. Common solutions, such as solar panel subsidization and “green job” training programs, already exist, we need only to increase their application. At this junction between the two sectors, I am excited to spearhead a charge for change. It is time to see this issue as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both. My inherent drive to mitigate, if not reverse, the unparalleled damage we have inflicted on our environment is predominantly inspired by my desire for the betterment of others. Creating a better world only requires one good act at a time, and for a long time, I was in awe of those helping to make a difference. It appeared as though they were special, and destined to take such a path, but the pandemic revealed to me that even the most ordinary of people can take that path; it only requires one step after the other. So I took it hand in hand with a friend I could trust. Creating good helps others live the lives they deserve, and some of them are likely to help continue the spread of good in the same way I am trying to. That is what makes environmental public service so vital to me, and why I founded my community Organization: E-Waste Warriors. My mission, through our events, was to properly dispose of E-Waste through community collection events by increasing the proper recycling of Electronic Waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. We succeeded in collecting a total of 10,597 pounds to be properly managed and were recognized by the Arkansas Recycling Coalition with the 2021 Community Involvement Project of the Year Award. Although it was an honor to be recognized, I was more excited to receive such an award because it proves to me that if you chase open opportunities and work hard you can find an unlimited number of people willing to help. As a human race, we have sent men to the moon, climbed the tallest mountain on earth, and sent deep-sea probes to the lowest point below sea level. To pretend that I can’t follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest believers and doers in history would be a disservice to myself and others. Our world and its people deserve the best, and that includes me aspiring to ensure that for all future generations to come. The world deserves better, and I intend to reach it, one step at a time.

I would argue that one of the most moving songs I have had the pleasure of listening to is “Underdog” by Alicia Keys. My first exposure to this piece was at the beginning of the pandemic and I have since come to consider it an anthem of hope. Interwoven melodies of gentle piano and guitar only serve to amplify Keys’ message of triumph. She sings of her success over the doubt cast upon her in her career. She sings of the joy you can discover if you only keep trying. She sings of the beauty in human connections of struggle. As globalization continues at a rapid pace and the speed of news, work, and money increase it reminds us of the value of noticing the small human connections in our daily life. Of the importance of breaking the mold and chasing the only dream that truly matters, your own. Of rising up in the name of self-actualization and dedicating your life to growth and love and sorrow and joy. Never giving an inch to the doubt, but for every inch you gain, supporting those around you in doing the same. With such an interconnected world it is easy to become crippled by the fear of the mounting issues facing humanity. As the pressure upon us to build a brighter future explodes it becomes more and more necessary to heed the words this song so artfully expresses. She captures the importance of human connection and introspection. For three minutes and twenty-one seconds it’s impossible not to see the world I’m fighting for with crystal clarity, and it’s a vision I cherish and wield in the pursuit of my aspirations.

The masterful portrayal of Tiana in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" has resulted in what I must admit is an infatuation with her resolve and temprement. Growing up there was a period in my life where my parents provided for me in such a manner that I have only recently begun to realize the compassion and dedication shown to me throughout my childhood. The 2008 recession resulted in the lay-off of my father, and my mother who worked an extremely taxing job as a stay-at-home mom was, unfortunately, wildly underpaid, as all mothers are. We were forced to consolidate and move as a result, but along the way, I never realized the reason for this because we remained the Guthrie family through and through. An iota of my favoritism for Tiana stems from her love for her parents and the undeniable piece of her ambition to bring them with her and dedicate her future successes to them as a small repayment for their dedication and love when she was young. Despite losing her father and facing blatant racial discrimination she plowed forward with a dream and hard work, and although she got derailed along the way by a particularly troublesome frog, she never lost that hard-working vitality that I have come to actively try and imitate in my life. I aspire to enter the environmental sustainability sector to help mitigate the climate crisis, and an integral part of the process is involving underrepresented minorities and low-income families. These people suffer the greatest consequences while imposing the least impact and Tiana represents not only the work-ethic and familial values I aim to replicate, but a sense of community that is vital to ensuring I can help build a better world for all, not only the wealthy middle class. She represents not only Black culture, cuisine, and spirit, but also how there is always more for me to learn and unconscious bias to deconstruct as a white male. I cannot help my skin color, but I can control my actions and intentions, and Tiana is both everything I wish to be and everything I wish to know. My partiality for Tiana extends past her clearly superior soundtrack and gorgeous wedding dress, to the core values and ideals she carries with her on her journey. I only wish to employ a fraction of her work-ethic in my future work.

To be or not to be, THAT is the question. A choice is always present, no matter how futile it appears, or how slim the chances are. For a long time, society has continually chosen "not to be" regarding our environment. With our desire for knowledge, we have forgotten to continually improve upon what we know. With our lust for wealth, we have disregarded the priceless value of a clean environment. And with our envy of others, we have failed to ensure the survival of what we have. Climate change is not a new concept, yet we find ourselves regularly arguing over its credibility. And just like all other preeminent issues humanity faces today global warming is an extremely complex network of smaller issues that exacerbate a common problem. After all, it is impossible to think of climate change without the accompanying kinds of environmental degradation that attribute to it. Pause and think for a moment - what instances come to mind when you ponder “global warming”? Perhaps it is western culture’s exorbitant use of finite resources in our quest for “advancement”, maybe it is deforestation or increasingly common and severe wildfires. Alternatively, you might consider ocean acidification, oil spills, and intensifying tropical storms. But the ceaseless list of issues is not as difficult to trace as they are portrayed to be, after all, they undoubtedly connect to a single primary factor - Humans. The very IDEA of “not being” only exists because we have framed an unblemished ecosystem as impossible. And yet for the last two millennia, we have been repeatedly accomplishing things initially believed impossible. To pretend as though sustainability can only occur at the cost of other short-term benefits is detrimental. So long as this issue is presented as “the Environment vs the Economy” then our unsustainable actions will continue to wreak havoc on the natural world. But how could I, as a privileged and educated person, genuinely choose “not to be”? Not to be educated on climate change and its interrelated issues. Not to put forth my passion and hope for a safer and cleaner world into community development and sustainability projects. The strongest weapon in our arsenal for change is to intertwine the economy and the environment to work for one another and work to abolish the falshehood of an inverse relationship between the two sectors. Already we see proof of valuable overlap: sustainable energy saves working families hundreds on electricity, sustainable supply chains provide savings and efficiency across corporations, and improvements in urban design are continually challenging our notion of sustainable development. My inherent drive to mitigate, if not reverse, the unparalleled damage we have inflicted on our environment is predominantly inspired by my understanding that we do not have to sacrifice one for the other. The division created by this fictitious belief only serves to halt our progress in the right direction. If we expect people to make the best decision for future generations then we cannot act as though two vital pieces of everyday life are mutually exclusive. Common solutions already exist, we need only to increase their application and promote education. It is at this junction between the two sectors that I am excited to spearhead a charge for change through engaging in community sustainability development and working with businesses and neighborhoods to build a future worthy of us all. It is time to see this issue as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both.

I strive to become a sustainability specialist, an activist, but most importantly - a believer. I believe that a core human right is a right to a healthy and clean environment, and right now we can’t pretend to have that. Global pollution is only increasing and a damaging stigma currently exists that portrays climate change as a sentient monster we can kill with enough solar panels and electric cars. We, as citizens of the world, can’t accept this anymore. Climate change requires a global commitment towards a healthier and more conscientious culture. It isn’t a fight of economy versus environment or vice versa. The division created by this fictitious belief only serves to halt our progress in the right direction. If we expect people to make the best decision for future generations then we cannot act as though two vital pieces of everyday life are mutually exclusive. Common solutions, such as solar panel subsidization and “green job” training programs, already exist, we need only to increase their application. It is at this junction between the two sectors that I am excited to spearhead a charge for change. It is time to see this issue as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both. My inherent drive to mitigate, if not reverse, the unparalleled damage we have inflicted on our environment is predominantly inspired by my desire to use the privilege I have for the betterment of others. With the luxury of a stable childhood and education comes the luxury of having the time to care about issues of which don’t concern my immediate physical needs. To put it simply, because I do not have to worry about my next meal or where I’ll sleep I can spend time on issues that will affect more than just me in the long term. Pretending as though sustainable culture is unlikely and can only occur at the cost of other short-term benefits is ludicrous. Human nature leads us to act for the benefit of ourselves at that moment, and who can blame us? What concerned parents would choose to worry over the environmental impacts of a new hospital campus when their child suffers from cancer? That is what makes environmental public service so important to me, and why I founded my community Organization: E-Waste Warriors. My mission, through our events, was to properly dispose of E-Waste through community collection events by increasing the proper recycling of Electronic Waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. We succeeded in collecting a total of 10,597 pounds to be properly managed and were recognized by the Arkansas Recycling Coalition with the 2021 Community Involvement Project of the Year award. Although it was an honor to be recognized, I was more excited to receive such an award because it proves to me that if you chase open opportunities and work hard you can find an unlimited number of people willing to help. As a human race, we have sent men to the moon, climbed the tallest mountain on earth, and sent deep-sea probes to the lowest point below sea level. To pretend that I can’t follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest believers and doers in history would be a disservice to myself and others. Our world and its people deserve the best, and that includes me aspiring to ensure that for all future generations to come.

Leadership to me is not a hierarchy. It progresses past lounging on a pedestal and assigning tasks or managing employees. It is more reminiscent of a web, with a central point connecting all others, but no higher or more important than the surrounding structure. Leaders function as a core connection, and just as our eye is drawn to the center and spirals outward with the flow of a web’s weaving, attention focuses on the leader and trickles outward; leaders are representatives, and it means presenting yourself and communicating in a manner befitting to the situation. These ideals benefited me greatly when I Co-founded my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, to help facilitate the proper recycling of electronic waste. To ensure that our efforts could have a real impact, I had to present our goals in a capable manner to secure a local business sponsor for post-event handling of collected material. And it was just as valuable during the event itself when I worked to direct the volunteers in sorting and collecting items, as well as the attendee traffic for efficiency. Leading does not only mean serving as a central locus of connection, however; it just as easily entails active listening and an intake of outer perspectives. Leaders cannot become great simply by demanding respect and directing the flow of responsibility - they ascend to new heights because they are willing to consider the input of others and reach an optimal solution. By serving as a central point of communication, leaders are enabled to hear ideas of all kinds and to integrate the most beneficial pieces for all. There is obvious historical reason to dislike dictatorship, and even more abundant evidence to support democracy. It is impossible to be a good leader without having the necessary understanding that you must be willing to view issues from various perspectives. Just as you cannot expect to succeed in leadership when seeking only to control, so too can a web not function when its center point is disconnected and placed above the rest. I know this well because much of E-Waste Warriors' success would not have been possible if I had not shared responsibility with my Co-founder and listened to her ideas or trusted her abilities. Abigail and I were both leaders in our own right, but much of our achievement can be attributed to the advice we sought from others and its incorporation into our own ideas. Having met in a local leadership program for high school students across the district we were able to overcome attending separate schools with communication and cooperation. This program (Arvest-First Leadership) helped me to improve my skills, but much of my growth can be attributed to roles such as being Head Delegate in my school's Model United Nations club, serving as president of the National Honor Society chapter, and working as the Drill Captain for the marching band. Leadership has become a fundamental piece of my daily life and it is something I intend to continue working to improve and engage in. With my passion for the environment and my drive to be the best leader possible, I look forward to graduating from college in a position to begin benefiting the world around me. I aspire to help promote the implementation and research of renewable technologies - a job that requires collaboration with others of all kinds to help reach the clean world future generations deserve.

To be or not to be, THAT is the question. A choice is always present, no matter how futile it appears, nor how slim the chances are. For a long time, society has chosen "not to be" regarding our environment. With our desire for knowledge, we have forgotten to continually improve upon what we know. With our lust for wealth, some have disregarded the priceless value of a clean environment. And with our envy of others, we have failed to ensure the survival of what we have. Climate change is not a new concept, yet we find ourselves arguing over its credibility. Like all other preeminent issues humanity faces, global warming is an extremely complex web of smaller issues exacerbating a common problem. After all, it is impossible to think of climate change without the accompanying kinds of environmental degradation attributed to it. Pause and think for a moment - what instances come to mind when pondering “global warming”? Perhaps it is convenience culture's exorbitant use of finite resources in our quest for “advancement”, or maybe it is deforestation and increasingly common wildfires. Or, you might consider ocean acidification, oil spills, and intensifying tropical storms. But this list of issues is not as difficult to trace as they are portrayed to be, after all, they undoubtedly connect to a single primary factor - Humans. The very idea of “not being” only exists because we have framed an unblemished ecosystem as impossible. And yet for the last two millennia, we have been repeatedly accomplishing things originally believed impossible. To pretend as though sustainability can only occur at the cost of other short-term benefits is unproductive. So long as this issue is presented as “the Environment vs the Economy” then our unsustainable actions will continue to wreak havoc on the natural world. But how could I, as a privileged and educated person, genuinely choose “not to be”? Not to be educated on climate change and its interrelated issues. Not to be active in supporting the implementation of renewable technologies. Not to put forth my passion and hope for a safer and cleaner world into community development and sustainability projects. I hope to enter a career in community development, specifically focusing on sustainability projects to improve sustainability in urban regions. My ambition to work in this field is an important part of what inspired me to begin E-Waste Warriors to help recycle electronics in my community. Through this endeavor, I have found that people would much rather make a sustainable choice if given the option under feasible circumstances. Climate change not only presents its own threat but exacerbates others as well. By entering community development I can begin to design new systems to combat issues such as increasing natural disaster frequency and force, resource scarcity, environmental racism, and deforestation. My inherent drive to mitigate, if not reverse, the unparalleled damage we have inflicted on our environment is predominantly inspired by my understanding that we do not have to sacrifice one for the other. The division created by this fictitious belief only serves to halt our progress in the right direction. If we expect people to make the best decision for future generations then we cannot pretend two vital pieces of daily life are mutually exclusive. Common solutions already exist, we need only increase their application. At this junction between the two sectors, I am excited to spearhead a charge for change. It is time to see this issue as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both.

To be or not to be, THAT is the question. A choice is always present, no matter how futile it appears, nor how slim the chances. For a long time, society has chosen "not to be" in regard to our environment. With our desire for knowledge, we have forgotten to improve upon what we know. With our lust for wealth, we have disregarded the value of a clean environment. And with our envy of others, we have failed to ensure the survival of what we have. Climate change is not a new concept, yet we regularly argue over its credibility. Just like all other preeminent issues humanity faces today global warming is an extremely complex web of smaller issues that exacerbate a common problem. After all, it is impossible to think of climate change without the accompanying kinds of environmental degradation that contribute to it. Pause and think for a moment - what instances come to mind when you ponder “global warming”? Perhaps it is western culture’s exorbitant use of finite resources in our quest for “advancement”, or maybe it is deforestation and increasingly common wildfires. Or, you might consider ocean acidification, oil spills, and intensifying tropical storms. But the ceaseless list of issues is not as difficult to trace as they are portrayed to be, after all, they undoubtedly connect to a single primary factor - Humans. The very IDEA of “not being” only exists because we have framed an unblemished ecosystem as impossible. And yet for the last two millennia, we have been repeatedly accomplishing things originally believed impossible. To pretend as though sustainability can only occur at the cost of other short-term benefits is ludicrous. So long as this issue is presented as “the Environment vs the Economy” then our unsustainable actions will continue to wreak havoc on the natural world. But how could I, as a privileged and educated person, genuinely choose “not to be”? Not to be educated on climate change and its interrelated issues. Not to be active in supporting the implementation of renewable technologies. Not to put forth my passion and hope for a safer and cleaner world into community development and sustainability projects. I hope to enter a career in community development, specifically focusing on sustainability projects to improve sustainability in urban areas. My ambition in this field is a part of what inspired me to found E-Waste Warriors to help recycle electronics locally. Through this endeavor, I found that people would much prefer to make a sustainable choice if given the option under feasible circumstances. I aim to help facilitate the accessibility and implementation of policies and technologies that allow for cumulative prosperity and sustainability. Climate change presents its own threat but exacerbates others as well. By entering community development I can design new systems to combat issues such as increasing natural disaster severity, resource scarcity, environmental racism, and the growing demand for energy. My inherent drive to mitigate the unparalleled damage we have inflicted on our environment is predominantly inspired by my understanding that we do not have to sacrifice one for the other. The division from this fictitious belief only halts our progress in the right direction. Common solutions already exist, we need only increase their application. It is at this junction that I am excited to spearhead a charge for change. It is time to see this issue as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both.

The foundation of my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, was built from my desire to begin leaving a positive mark on my surroundings, or more specifically, to prevent a negative mark. My mission, through our events, is to properly dispose of e-waste through collection events by increasing the availability of recycling opportunities for electronic waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. I strive to achieve this by enabling local citizens to conveniently and properly dispose of their electronics while preventing unwanted environmental impacts. On February 28th, my organization served 115 attendees, over 4 hours, and collected 8,700 pounds of material in conjunction with a local business. This success exceeded our expectations phenomenally, and on August 8th we held our second event, this time with sponsorship from Cox Communications to cover the cost of any items with a drop-off fee as an effort to prevent financial hardship from preventing participation. This event brought our current total to 10,597 pounds of collected material. The environment is something that extends beyond any certain group of individuals or borders. It extends to the needs and lives of people across the world. The pandemic served as a catalyst to spur my work, and my inspiration to begin this effort emerged not just from my intrinsic passion for the environment, but from a paramount desire to help shape a better world. After all, if hope and altruism can continue to thrive in a time of unrivaled difficulty for people globally, what could stop me from fulfilling my dreams of making the world the better place I know it can be? For now, I plan to continue with these events and to keep true to our mission: Keeping the Natural State Natural.

The foundation of my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, was built from my desire to begin leaving a positive mark on my surroundings, or more specifically, to prevent a negative mark. My mission, through our events, is to properly dispose of e-waste through collection events by increasing the availability of recycling opportunities for electronic waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. I strive to achieve this by enabling local citizens to conveniently and properly dispose of their electronics while preventing unwanted environmental impacts. On February 28th, my organization served 115 attendees, over 4 hours, and collected 8,700 pounds of material in conjunction with a local business. This success exceeded our expectations phenomenally, and on August 8th we held our second event, this time with sponsorship from Cox Communications to cover the cost of any items with a drop-off fee as an effort to prevent financial hardship from preventing participation. This event brought our current total to 10,597 pounds of collected material. The environment is something that extends beyond any certain group of individuals or borders. It extends to the needs and lives of people across the world. The pandemic served as a catalyst to spur my work, and my inspiration to begin this effort emerged not just from my intrinsic passion for the environment, but from a paramount desire to help shape a better world. After all, if hope and altruism can continue to thrive in a time of unrivaled difficulty for people globally, what could stop me from fulfilling my dreams of making the world the better place I know it can be? For now, I plan to continue with these events and to keep true to our mission: Keeping the Natural State Natural.

I often find myself daydreaming about my future. What career will I ultimately pursue? Where will I attend college or live? What interests or leadership will I pursue? But one thing I already know - I want to leave a legacy. I’m not a perfect person, and I never will be, but I hope to leave the world a better, more sustainable place for those around me. Being a highly influential figure isn’t a necessity to help make a difference, but it certainly doesn’t hurt either. With fame often comes fortune, and with fortune often comes an exponential increase in opportunities, good and bad. As I observe today’s leading figures, from celebrities to international leaders I see a concerning lack of transparency. With so many people to please, many of those bestowed with fame crumble to the masses and become lost. One of the most important values that I would stand for as a role model and influencer would be the transparency of being a person and the importance of continued growth. The presence of recurring critique and insistent “yes-men” can cause individuals to forget that they always have more to learn and that they are still working to grow and learn just like any “regular” person. I see immense value in serving as a transparent role-model who accepts and learns from mistakes. I believe many of today’s issues are exacerbated by a lack of transparency and the concept that some are more important than others, but transparency helps dismantle those beliefs. Change is fickle, but if I can stand for transparency and growth, then perhaps I could inspire a new generation of passionate and dedicated individuals who know the value of perseverance despite what the world may say.

The foundation of my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, was built from my desire to begin leaving a positive mark on my surroundings, or more specifically, to prevent a negative mark. My mission, through our events, is to properly dispose of e-waste through collection events by increasing the availability of recycling opportunities for electronic waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. I strive to achieve this by enabling local citizens to conveniently and properly dispose of their electronics while preventing unwanted environmental impacts. On February 28th, my organization served 115 attendees, over 4 hours, and collected 8,700 pounds of material in conjunction with a local business. This success exceeded our expectations phenomenally, and on August 8th we held our second event, this time with sponsorship from Cox Communications to cover the cost of any items with a drop-off fee as an effort to prevent financial hardship from preventing participation. This event brought our current total to 10,597 pounds of collected material. The environment is something that extends beyond any certain group of individuals or borders. It extends to the needs and lives of people across the world. The pandemic served as a catalyst to spur my work, and my inspiration to begin this effort emerged not just from my intrinsic passion for the environment, but from a paramount desire to help shape a better world. After all, if hope and altruism can continue to thrive in a time of unrivaled difficulty for people globally, what could stop me from fulfilling my dreams of making the world the better place I know it can be? For now, I plan to continue with these events and to keep true to our mission: Keeping the Natural State Natural, with our next event tentatively scheduled for late February.

To describe myself as an “environmentalist” would be a convenient label, but would also limit the scope of my interests and abilities and in turn be a disservice to myself. Environmental sustainability and its related renewable technologies are my passion and the driving force behind my community organization, E-Waste Warriors. I never would have had the drive to succeed in facilitating the collection of 10,597 pounds of electronic waste for recycling without it, and I hope to attend a four-year university for Environmental Engineering to further my ability to help cultivate a more sustainable global culture. Despite its value in my future pursuits, my passion for the environment occupies only a piece of my identity. I have a love for global politics that inspired my participation in my high school Model United Nations club and my love of reading resulted in my participation in our book club. My favorite food is fish tacos and I have a special place in my heart for our endangered friend the rhino. To say I enjoy living and taking part in activities I enjoy could be an understatement, and that idea of student loans acting as financial shackles to my future freedom is mortifying. Since visiting Italy and Greece on a school trip, I have dreamed of continuing my worldwide adventures through college and beyond, but I need the financial freedom to do so. I desire the opportunity to take lower-paying positions that have a bigger impact, such as non-profits without worrying about being able to pay off college debt. I dream of beginning life as a university graduate free to make any kind of legacy for myself, and student loans only serve as a barrier to this hope. With approximately $1.75 trillion in outstanding student loan debt across the United States, it operates as a silent predator on unsuspecting high school graduates, and many fail to fortify themselves against the crushing weight of a life sentence in debt. Intellectualization alone however won’t prevent student loans from becoming a reality. My pursuit to avoid college debt largely consists of applying for both external and internal scholarship opportunities. I have dedicated my time and energy to craft a resume indicative of my passions and strengths to set myself apart from the crowd, such as earning the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy as a non-native Spanish speaker and earning the 2021 Community Involvement Project of the Year award from the Arkansas Recycling Coalition. Having only won a $500 scholarship I know what it is like to feel discouraged in my efforts to avoid debt. Despite my continuous applications, it seems as though I might never earn the money I need to eliminate the financial shackles which haunt my future. But for every closed opportunity, a different one arises, and I am guaranteed to fail if I cease trying, so I continue applying to different scholarships and pursuing my passions to further my personal growth. While attending college, I hope to participate in either a paid internship or part-time employment to aid in my escape from such permanent loans. Student loans present a very clear and present danger to my dreams for the future and I hope to utilize my passions as a means of furthering my scholarship pursuits and plan to never give up hope, no matter the rejections received. I may not avoid student loan debt fully, but I still plan to live the way I want with no restrictions. And that starts today, with me aspiring to do and be my best self each day for the guarantee of a successful future.

I strive to become an environmental engineer, an activist, but most importantly - a believer. I believe that a core human right is a right to a healthy and clean environment, and right now we can’t pretend to have that. Global pollution is only increasing. Climate change requires a global commitment towards a healthier and more conscientious culture. It isn’t a fight of economy versus environment or vice versa. It is time to look at it as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both. To pretend that I can’t follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest believers in history would be a disservice to myself and others. Our world and its people deserve the best, and that includes me aspiring to ensure that for all future generations. College is a vital stepping stone to furthering my knowledge and assets in helping to promote a global culture of sustainability and assisting in the implementation of renewable technologies. My dream career would be to manage large-scale sustainability development projects, such as carbon capture technologies, renewable energy grid infrastructure, or corporate environmental outreach programs. While innovation is vital to the advancement of an environmentally conscious future my passions lie in the application portion. Rarely does a day pass by without thinking of the climate crisis and its worsening effects, but I refuse to lose hope. Collaborating with others on a daily basis in an effort to make the world the clean and healthy place I know it can be is not a dream, but a necessity. I may only be a senior in Northwest Arkansas but my sights aren’t limited by geography - I must aspire for the betterment of all.

Since the dawn of the first human trade systems and economies, flora and fauna have been considered less important than wealth and power. It became human to believe ourselves “in control” of the natural hierarchy instead of a vital piece of it. Indigenous beliefs of harmony and respect with nature were pushed to the wayside as colonies began resource extraction from newfound lands with no regard to the ecosystems present. Nonetheless, there is no one person to blame, no single country, or band of peoples to trace our catastrophic issue to. Our drive for power and wealth was founded on a desire for safety but escalated to madness, and our archaic understanding of nature as a hierarchy and not a web has led us to where we are now. Global warming and the continuous biological degradation of locations worldwide threaten more than just the plants and animals residing in that area, but Earth’s people - present and future. Rising temperatures already threaten island nations with submersion due to melting ice caps, and the immense deforestation of forests globally only exacerbates the issue. Pollution in all levels of the biosphere has caused new kinds of diseases and health concerns for various species including ourselves, and it progresses past what we can see, into space where debris litters the stars. The framing of our economies and understandings needs to be altered to support a profitable and productive economy in conjunction with a sustainable and renewable environment. Simply put, we must begin promoting more innovation and efforts to help prevent, if not reverse, the consequences we face. Currently, the United States is waging a battle between preventing and preparing for the repercussions of the deleterious actions we have participated in for decades while trying to preserve a competitive economy and prevent job loss. However, media stigmatization and partisan divide have halted progress. This issue has been framed to appear as a sentient monster that we can vanquish with enough wind turbines and reusable straws, but this is not the case. To solve this issue, we need to implement job training programs in conjunction with national and local companies to help provide qualified workers while transitioning the American people out of diminishing industries. Furthermore, the extensive infrastructure improvements necessary to make the nation sustainable, such as energy grid enhancement and sustainable waste system installation, will function to counter possible job loss from necessary industry regulations to hold businesses accountable for their impacts. Implementation is only half of the battle, however. We must continue working to improve the efficiency of existing technologies so that we may decrease the cost and subsequently increase the prevalence of installation while simultaneously supporting a competitive economy in the global market. I strive to become an environmental engineer and I believe that a core human right is a right to a healthy and clean environment. I aim to help facilitate the implementation of policies and development that promote sustainability and renewability in conjunction with profitability and productivity. These changes are only an iota of possible solutions, and to be truly effective they must be implemented on a global scale. I believe in the power of action and hope and combined with my passion for the environment I cannot wait to see what I can accomplish - beginning with the deconstruction of harmful beliefs to make way for true change, of which I intend to spearhead the charge. Our world deserves the best, and that means me aspiring to my fullest potential.

Prompt 1: The joy of Art is often found in its subjectivity to each person. What instills a sense of grandeur and joy in one could easily cause another to feel isolated and insignificant. STEM, however, is a global necessity that only continues to grow as more and more students are encouraged to participate, and funding increases as a means of investing in social, economic, and environmental benefits for the future. Because of its necessity, the majority of those with access both appreciate and use technology, and it remains much less subjugated to the subjectivity of art. The marriage of these concepts has undeniably produced the most stunning and useful innovations in history and will only continue to grow. My personal favorite instance of such matrimony can be seen in the “Gardens by the Bay” functional installation in Singapore. Often featured in photos of the city’s skyline and attractions, many have seen this structural wonder without even realizing it. This installation’s crown jewel is certainly the eighteen super-sized trees ranging between 25 - 50 meters in height. Sporting a plethora of environmental and aesthetic technologies, these trees were part of a £350 million investment by the government of Singapore as part of their efforts to transform the city-state into a “City in a Garden”. Because of its role as a global icon in environmental engineering and its true functionality in disguising the chimneys to a 7.5MW biomass boiler, the sheer amount of innovation and application of sustainable technologies to increase efficiency and carbon-neutrality could not be covered in such a brief essay. Apart from providing shade in the park during the day and sensational lighting during the night, the Supertrees feature a skin comprised of an array of steel members that help it appear more natural and eye-catching. The steel members not only provide strength to overall stability but include technologies to mimic realistic ecological tree-function. Thus combining various ideas such as vertical planters, photovoltaic cells (solar panels), as well as rainwater collection systems for plant irrigation. The vertical planters support not only a local carbon sink and natural air particle and pollutant filter, but a stunning array of ferns, vines, orchids, and bromeliads specifically for aesthetic appeal. Despite the obvious popularity of the Supertrees, they are only a third of the park’s features. The Gardens by the Bay also harbor 2 greenhouses of unrivaled ingenuity and appearance. The “Flower Dome” serves to reproduce Mediterranean springtime conditions (mild dry days, and cool nights), while the “Cloud Forest Dome” models mountainous tropical regions with high humidity but relatively cool temperatures. Architectural and botanical issues provided a particularly difficult case in designing sustainable greenhouses that still pleased the public eye and compared to the overwhelmingly successful trees. The largest issue when designing such structures was to keep an optimal amount of sunlight for the plants to thrive, without allowing the accompanying heat to enter and overloading an air conditioning system. The engineers and architects used a wide range of solutions to help achieve a public space that polluted no more than the average modern Singapore office building. In an effort to allow the preferred amount of sunlight through the greenhouses were designed with a number of architectural design techniques to dissuade the direct effect of sunlight on the building, while about 400 triangular polyester sailcloths are rolled up at the lower area of the steel arches when not in use. A self-learning algorithm controls each shade individually and can control it instantaneously to adapt to time-specific needs. The various strategies and endeavors to construct such a magnificent park in conjunction with one another are not detailed as thoroughly as could do them justice; due to the sheer complexity and nuance of the world’s greatest pseudo-natural garden. It presents a global symbol of the power and purposes dedicated matrimony between Art and STEM can create. Not only does it inspire efforts globally to replicate such sustainable functionality with an irresistible artistic appeal, but it represents the value of dedication and connection between two seemingly “opposing” concepts such that it stirs an insatiable fascination within me every time I get to witness a photo or hear mention of it. This 58-hectare site remains the epitome of collaboration between Art and STEM that I will forever aspire to replicate upon my entry into the global economy and environmental pursuits. Prompt 2: I am the Co-Founder of E-Waste Warriors, a local organization that hosts drop-off events for unwanted electronics to ensure proper recycling and improve access for all to participate; I am the President of the National Honor Society and lead a team of dedicated peers in making my school and community a better place. I am a recipient of the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy and a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. But more than this, I am a son. I am a friend. I am a self-proclaimed excellent whistler-extraordinaire and Disney connoisseur. And most importantly, I am a believer in the climate crisis and our power to right this wrong. College is a vital stepping stone to furthering my knowledge and assets in helping to promote a global culture of sustainability and assisting in the implementation of renewable technologies. I may only be a senior in Northwest Arkansas but my sights aren’t limited by geography and I work for the people of Earth, not one single race, religion, or income - Everyone. It is part of what makes me love Model United Nations and travel so much. I want college to offer me the best opportunities possible to build a network of peers passionate about the environment and pursue a higher education that is directly related to such. To pretend that I can’t follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest figures in history would be a disservice to myself and others - beginning with a degree. Our world and its people deserve the best, and that includes me aspiring to ensure that for all future generations.

Leadership to me is not a hierarchy. It progresses past lounging on a pedestal and assigning tasks or managing peers. It is more reminiscent of a web, with a central point connecting all others, but no higher or more important than the surrounding structure. Leaders function as a core connection, and just as our eye is drawn to the center and spirals outward with the flow of a web’s weaving, attention focuses on the leader and trickles outward; leaders are representatives, and it means presenting yourself and communicating in a manner befitting to the situation. These ideals benefited me greatly when I Co-founded my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, to help facilitate the proper recycling of electronic waste. To ensure that our efforts could have a real impact, I had to present our goals in a capable manner to secure a local business sponsor for post-event handling of collected material. And it was just as valuable during the event itself when I worked to direct the volunteers in sorting and collecting items, as well as the attendee traffic for efficiency. Leading does not only mean serving as a central locus of connection, however; it just as easily entails active listening and an intake of outer perspectives. Leaders cannot become great simply by demanding respect and directing the flow of responsibility. By serving as a central point of communication, leaders are able to hear ideas of all kinds and integrate the most beneficial pieces for all. It is impossible to become a good leader without having the necessary understanding that you must be willing to view issues from various perspectives. Just as you cannot expect to succeed in leadership when seeking only to control, so too could a web not function when its center point is disconnected from the rest. I know this well because much of E-Waste Warriors' success would not have been possible if I had not shared responsibility with my Co-founder and listened to her ideas or trusted her abilities. Abigail and I were both leaders in our own right, but much of our achievement can be attributed to the advice we sought from others and its incorporation into our own ideas. Having met in a local leadership program for high school students across the district we were able to overcome attending separate schools with communication and cooperation. Leadership has become a fundamental piece of my daily life and it is something I intend to continue working to improve and engage in. With my passion for the environment and my drive to be the best leader possible, I look forward to graduating from college in a position to begin benefiting the world around me. I aspire to help promote the implementation and research of renewable technologies - a job that requires collaboration with others of all kinds to help reach the clean world future generations deserve.

The foundation of my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, was built from my desire to begin leaving a positive mark on my surroundings, or more specifically, to prevent a negative mark. My mission, through our events, is to properly dispose of e-waste through collection events by increasing the availability of recycling opportunities for electronic waste in the Northwest Arkansas region. I strive to achieve this by enabling local citizens to conveniently and properly dispose of their electronics while preventing unwanted environmental impacts. On February 28th, my organization served 115 attendees, over 4 hours, and collected 8,700 pounds of material in conjunction with a local business. This success exceeded our expectations phenomenally, and on August 8th we held our second event, this time with sponsorship from Cox Communications to cover the cost of any items with a drop-off fee as an effort to prevent any financial hardship from stopping participation. This event earned less than in February, totaling only 1,897 pounds, but still kept dangerous heavy metals out of our natural resources. The environment is something that extends beyond any certain group of individuals or borders. It extends to the needs and lives of people across the world. The pandemic served as a catalyst to spur my work, and my inspiration to begin this effort emerged not just from my intrinsic passion for the environment, but from a paramount desire to help shape a better world. After all, if hope and altruism can continue to thrive in a time of unrivaled difficulty for people globally, what could stop me from fulfilling my dreams of making the world the better place I know it can be? For now, I plan to continue with these events, and no matter how much we collect, to keep true to our mission: Keeping the Natural State Natural.

Leadership to me is not a hierarchy. It progresses past lounging on a pedestal and assigning tasks or managing employees. It is more reminiscent of a web, with a central point connecting all others, but no higher or more important than the surrounding structure. Leaders function as a core connection, and just as our eye is drawn to the center and spirals outward with the flow of a web’s weaving, attention focuses on the leader and trickles outward; leaders are representatives, and it means presenting yourself and communicating in a manner befitting to the situation. These ideals benefited me greatly when I Co-founded my community organization, E-Waste Warriors, to help facilitate the proper recycling of electronic waste. To ensure that our efforts could have a real impact, I had to present our goals in a capable manner to secure a local business sponsor for post-event handling of collected material. And it was just as valuable during the event itself when I worked to direct the volunteers in sorting and collecting items, as well as the attendee traffic for efficiency. Leading does not only mean serving as a central locus of connection, however; it just as easily entails active listening and an intake of outer perspectives. Leaders cannot become great simply by demanding respect and directing the flow of responsibility - they ascend to new heights because they are willing to consider the input of others and reach an optimal solution. By serving as a central point of communication, leaders are enabled to hear ideas of all kinds and to integrate the most beneficial pieces for all. There is obvious historical reason to dislike dictatorship, and even more abundant evidence to support democracy. It is impossible to be a good leader without having the necessary understanding that you must be willing to view issues from various perspectives. Just as you cannot expect to succeed in leadership when seeking only to control, so too can a web not function when its center point is disconnected and placed above the rest. I know this well because much of E-Waste Warriors' success would not have been possible if I had not shared responsibility with my Co-founder and listened to her ideas or trusted her abilities. Abigail and I were both leaders in our own right, but much of our achievement can be attributed to the advice we sought from others and its incorporation into our own ideas. Having met in a local leadership program for high school students across the district we were able to overcome attending separate schools with communication and cooperation. This program (Arvest-First Leadership) helped me to improve my skills, but much of my growth can be attributed to roles such as being Head Delegate in my school's Model United Nations club, serving as president of the National Honor Society chapter, and working as the Drill Captain for the marching band. Leadership has become a fundamental piece of my daily life and it is something I intend to continue working to improve and engage in. With my passion for the environment and my drive to be the best leader possible, I look forward to graduating from college in a position to begin benefiting the world around me. I aspire to help promote the implementation and research of renewable technologies - a job that requires collaboration with others of all kinds to help reach the clean world future generations deserve.

These photos are from my family's trip to Mt. Rainier National park. It was at the end of June and we were hiking the skyline trail along the base of Rainier. With an elevation change of 1,700 ft, a total length of 5.5 miles, as well as wind and snow it most certainly wasn't the easiest trail we've hiked. But when we finally reached the top I took these photos. The fresh air made me feel more alive, more connected. And the view is one I enjoy remembering often and I'm even more glad I did it with my family.

I strive to be an environmental engineer, an activist, but most importantly a believer. I believe that a core human right is a right to a healthy and clean environment, but right now we can’t pretend to have that, and global pollution is only increasing. I blame no specific person for where we are right now. Capitalist systems may have driven large corporations, but those corporations worked with what they have to compete in today’s economy. While environmental activists have tried to sacrifice sectors of the economy with no true idea of the costs. Even worse, a stigma currently exists that portrays climate change as a sentient monster we can kill with enough solar panels and electric cars. We, as citizens of the world, can’t accept this anymore. Climate change requires a global commitment towards a healthier and more conscientious culture. It isn’t a fight of economy versus environment or vice versa. It is time to look at this as an environment for the economy, and an economy for the environment - with policies and ideals to benefit both. As a human race, we have sent men to the moon, climbed the tallest mountain on earth, and sent deep-sea probes to the lowest point below sea level. To pretend that I can’t follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest believers in history would be a disservice to myself and to others. Our world deserves better, and that includes me working my hardest to ensure that for future generations.