As a young boy my father would always share random stories from his past with me and my little brother. We loved listening to these stories and asking lots of questions as they would open our imaginations and allow us to gain knowledge in different areas as well. One particular story I never forgot was a scary situation my father went through in his late teen years. My father lived in a town named Walnut Grove at the time and one night was awoken by my grandparents rushing him and his siblings out of their house. They lived on a house right near the river and the levee just across the street was not high enough to withstand the rising water level the river had experienced that night. This caused the small community they lived in to go into complete panic mode and put peoples lives including my fathers family at risk. Overtime I've realized that it is disasters like these that really allow the neglection of our societies systems to stand out and demand for better solutions. Now with the topic of climate change many think of extreme heat due to the massive droughts we've gone through in the past, but that's not the only case. As climate change continues it becomes one of the most common sources in the escalation of flood hazards worldwide. The increase of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting precipitation patterns increase flood risks, placing vulnerable communities in the danger of flash flooding. Even with the presence of all these challenges newer solutions offer lots of hope to those at risk and the future of flood management. By integrating climate change projections into flood risk assessments and producing resilient infrastructure, we can strengthen our defense against the tragedies of flooding. As a civil engineer, I am eager to contribute to this effort mainly through water system design and maintenance and flood risks. The main goal is to always keep the lives of those around us safe and allow for better forms of security against natural disasters like floods. As an engineer I will put people first by helping come up with solutions to complex problems in the systems of flood control and prevention like drainage design for greater overall functionality and efficiency. I'm passionate about undiscovered technology that’ll transform the industry of flood management, and lead to greater success overtime. As I mentioned earlier I really would love to focus on designing water travel systems which will serve in both flood prevention but also create safe passageways for transportation of water to be used in other circumstances such as farming. I would also like to use my degree to perform deeper research on current construction methods of infrastructure to see if any newer materials or innovative strategies may arise which could possibly reduce carbon footprints and increase construction efficiency. At some point in my career I would also like to focus on the design of larger structures including bridges, levees, and highways to see if we can make them more structurally stable for better resilience to natural disasters. I am excited to contribute my skills, knowledge, and passion to the rising problems of climate change and I am confident that together we can engineer a world where change is no longer a threat, but an opportunity for growth and resilience. If selected as a recipient of this scholarship, I will continue to apply the same diligence to my collegiate studies as I have so far, making education and service to others my top priority. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

I'll never forget the story my dad used to tell me when I was younger, which was when my grandparents and all his siblings nearly evacuated due to a flood warning that got pretty serious. He lived in a small town called Walnut Grove near Galt right across the street from the Sacramento river. He would explain to me how high the water was as it nearly overflowed the levee and his whole family had to go live with their uncle for a couple weeks until things cleared up. My dad is a civil engineer now and serves as one of my main sources of motivation and support for me as I pursue engineering and I would love to follow in his footsteps. His story has stuck in my mind forever and he always tells me about his current projects on bridges, water resources, and environmental engineering. With all this information he shares with me I have realized how common floods can occur and this has been very eye opening for me, but at the same time I am really interested in helping create solutions to floods. In today’s world, the impact of floods extend far beyond their immediate aftermath, affecting communities, economies, and ecosystems alike. As we look at the various threats posed by climate change, the importance to effectively manage flood risks has never been more pressing. As an aspiring civil engineer with a passion for flood management, I am slowly becoming aware of the many challenges that lie ahead. However, I am also deeply committed to leveraging my skillset and educational knowledge to make a meaningful difference in addressing these challenges head on. As climate change continues it becomes one of the most common sources in the escalation of flood hazards worldwide. The increase of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting precipitation patterns increase flood risks, placing vulnerable communities in the danger zone to flash flooding. Even with the presence of all these challenges adaptation solutions offer lots of hope to those at risk and the future of flood management. By integrating climate change projections into flood risk assessments and engineering resilient infrastructure, we can strengthen our defense against the tragedies of flooding. As a civil engineer, I am eager to contribute to this vital effort by developing innovative strategies that enhance the adaptive capacity of communities and keep the lives of those around us safe. As an engineer I will put people first by helping come up with solutions to complex problems in the systems of flood control and prevention like drainage design for greater overall functionality and efficiency. I'm passionate about undiscovered technology that’ll transform the industry of flood management, and lead to greater success overtime. In conclusion, the challenges posed by floods are serious, but not unsolvable. By utilizing the collective power of innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, we can build a more resilient future for generations to come. As a dedicated civil engineer with a deep interest and commitment to flood management, I am eager to contribute my skills, knowledge, and passion to this vital problem. Together, we can engineer a world where floods are no longer a threat, but an opportunity for growth and resilience. If selected as a recipient of this scholarship, I will continue to apply the same diligence to my collegiate studies as I have so far, making education and service to others my top priority. Any financial assistance I receive will go towards my education and help me chase my dream and long term goal of becoming an engineer. Thank you in advance for your consideration.