My passion for animals started way before I knew what the word conservation even meant. I was the kid who carried around animal encyclopedias, watched every nature documentary I could find, and rescued bugs from the sidewalk after it rained. As I got older, that curiosity turned into something deeper. I began to realize that animals face real challenges like habitat loss, climate change, poaching, pollution and the inability to speak up for themselves. I knew I wanted to be someone who did stand up for them. That passion really solidified when I joined the Houston Zoo Crew program five years ago. I’ve spent over 1,200 hours volunteering there, working with over 300 species and learning the ins and outs of animal care. I’ve helped prepare diets, clean habitats, monitor animal behavior, and maybe most importantly, talked to visitors about why protecting wildlife matters. It’s one thing to care for animals behind the scenes, but inspiring people to care too is where change starts. I’ve also had some life-changing opportunities to see conservation in action around the world. I tool two international trips with the Houston Zoo to visit their conservation partners. In the Galápagos Islands, I helped with habitat restoration and monitoring of the giant tortoises. In Rwanda, I trekked into the mountains to observe wild gorillas, and I saw how protecting one species can help an entire ecosystem. I also participated in several bird surveys and helped the local community plant trees. These trips showed me that caring for animals isn’t just about medical care, it’s also about understanding the bigger picture. In a few weeks, I’ll be starting my first semester at Drake University, majoring in Zoology and Wildlife Conservation on the pre-vet track. My major will prepare me for a career where I can work directly with wildlife as a veterinarian specializing in exotic or endangered species. I want to be hands-on in both caring for individual animals and contributing to conservation strategies that protect entire species. My plan for making a positive impact starts with education, both mine and the education of others. I believe that the more people know about animals and the challenges they face, the more likely they are to make choices that help rather than harm. To me, animals aren’t just something we share the planet with, they are what make the world worth protecting. My love for them has shaped who I am and is the reason I’m so determined to build a career caring for and protecting them. With the right experience and opportunities, I know I can actually make a difference.

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been that person who gravitates to animals. My love for animals has grown from something simple, like wanting to pet every dog I see, into a real passion for protecting wildlife. That’s why animal care and welfare mean so much to me. It’s not just about keeping animals alive but it’s about giving them their best possible life, protecting their environments, and making sure future generations can experience them too. Over the past five years, I’ve been part of the Houston Zoo Crew program, where I’ve spent over 1,200 hours volunteering. It’s been so much more than just “helping at the zoo.” I’ve had the chance to work with more than 300 different species, from tiny reptiles to big carnivores, and learn firsthand what goes into keeping them healthy and happy. That means everything from preparing special diets to teaching visitors why conservation matters. The best part is seeing that same spark in someone’s eyes when they connect with an animal. I know from experience those moments can inspire people to care and take action. I’ve also been lucky enough to take my passion for conservation beyond the zoo. In the Galápagos Islands, I helped protect giant tortoises and learned about the unique challenges of preserving an ecosystem that exists nowhere else on Earth. In Rwanda, I trekked into the mountains to observe wild gorillas and saw how protecting one species can benefit the entire environment. Both trips taught me that animal welfare isn’t just about the animals, it’s about working with local communities, understanding cultures, and finding solutions that help both people and wildlife. They also showed me that conservation work isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s sweaty, muddy, and exhausting but it’s always worth it. In a few weeks I’ll be starting my first semester at Drake University, majoring in Zoology and Wildlife Conservation on the pre-vet track. I’m very excited to start classes where I’ll get to study animal behavior, ecology, and the science behind conservation efforts. My goal is to take everything I’ve learned so far (through volunteering, traveling and hands-on experience) and combine it with the new skills and knowledge I’ll gain in college. In the future, I see myself working directly with wildlife, both in the field and in rehabilitation settings as a veterinarian. I know it’s a challenging path, but I’ve already learned that the hard work is worth it. Every healthy animal released back into the wild, every species saved from extinction, and every person inspired to care matters. Animal care and welfare aren’t just part of conservation, they are the heart of it. Without healthy animals, there’s nothing left to conserve. Knowing that I can play even a small role in protecting them is exactly why I’m so determined to make this my life’s mission. Receiving scholarship support would make it possible for me to focus fully on building the skills I need to do that, without the constant stress of financial strain.

Ever since I was a small child I’ve felt a strong connection to animals. As I have aged, my curiosity about them has grown into a passion. Passion not only for the animals but also to protect them, which is why I’ve decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I’ll be starting at Drake University this fall, majoring in Zoology and Wildlife Conservation. I chose this degree because it blends my love for animals, interest in science and desire to make a real impact in the world. My goal is to eventually become a veterinarian who works with wildlife and exotic species, contributing to conservation efforts around the globe. One of the biggest influences that led me to this choice has been my time volunteering at the Houston Zoo through the Zoo Crew program. Over the last 5 years, I’ve spent over 1,200 hours there, and every minute has taught me something of value. I’ve had the chance to work behind the scenes, assist keepers with daily routines in several junior zookeeper roles, and help educate guests about animals and conservation. Whether I was prepping food for the big cats or sharing fun facts about pollinators, I always felt like I was part of something that mattered. It taught me that I thrive in hands-on, animal-focused environments, and that I want to spend my life working to improve the lives of animals. I’ve also had the opportunity to take my passion for animals beyond Houston through two international conservation trips. Two summers ago I visited the Galápagos Islands and witnessed how fragile and unique ecosystems can be. I learned how much humans play a role in their survival and got to work with the park rangers monitoring the giant tortoises. This past summer I traveled to Rwanda, and had the life-changing experience of observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. I learned about the critical efforts to protect them by the Gorilla Doctors and the Dian Fossey Foundation. These trips weren’t just about seeing amazing wildlife (though that was definitely incredible), they opened my eyes to the urgency of conservation and inspired me to become someone who can help lead those efforts. Veterinary medicine encompasses the things I care about most, and while I know the road ahead will be challenging, I’m ready for it. I want to help animals live better lives, and hopefully inspire others to care just as much as I do. Receiving scholarship money would help alleviate the financial burden of my education and allow me to stay focused on my goals both in and out of the classroom.

There are two significant experiences that have shaped who I am today. While being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes was certainly the biggest challenge, the greatest opportunity has been participating in the Houston Zoo Crew program. The combination of these experiences has had a profound impact on my life and future goals, helping me grow in ways I never imagined. On December 22, 2017, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a moment that completely turned my world upside down. The first few days were overwhelming, and I often wondered if I would ever feel normal again. It took some time, but I have learned how to manage this uninvited aspect of my life. Believe it or not, living with diabetes has a silver lining. It has taught me a lot about being different which has made me more compassionate and less judgmental towards others. I had to grow up a lot faster and take responsibility for myself because my life literally depends on it. I have learned how to face challenges head-on, stay focused, and keep pushing forward. These lessons have been further reinforced by my time in the Zoo Crew program. Balancing my health while committing to the demands of volunteering and traveling internationally requires time management, organization, and resilience, all of which are crucial life skills. A bit of backstory: my passion for animals started early, but living in the heart of New York City meant opportunities to see them were limited. My mother would take me to the Bronx Zoo twice a month, and I was hooked. This passion grew into something much larger the summer before my freshman year of high school. My final assignment in middle school was to choose a global service project and write a thesis on it. Choosing Wildlife Conservation was an obvious choice for me. In addition to making simple, yet impactful efforts at home and in my community, one requirement was to speak with local professionals who supported my cause. One of the five people I interviewed just so happened to be the coordinator for the teen educational program at the Houston Zoo, which led me to discover the Zoo Crew program. I applied, interviewed, and waited patiently until I got the amazing news I was accepted. Now entering my fifth year in the Zoo Crew program, I’ve accumulated over 1,000 volunteer hours at the zoo. I’ve been fortunate enough to apply for and be granted two junior zookeeper positions; one in the children’s zoo and another in the carnivore department. I have spent time in the zoo’s Veterinary Hospital shadowing the vets, and had the incredible opportunity to travel internationally to both the Galápagos Islands and Rwanda to work with conservation partners of the zoo and animals in the wild. The support of my parents and their reminder to “not to let diabetes stop me from pursuing my dreams” has stuck with me. I’ve learned that I am capable of managing both the challenges of a chronic condition and the opportunities that come from following my passions. My time at the zoo has inspired my aspiration to become a veterinarian and deepened my commitment to wildlife conservation both locally and globally. Together, these experiences have given me the confidence and preparation I need to succeed in college and beyond.