![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/untitled7732024033123393170af47a05b4440c6b9659e6873ff98b3.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Acting And Theater
Drawing And Illustration
Crafting
Gardening
Learning
Advocacy And Activism
Animals
Art
Exploring Nature And Being Outside
Baking
Dance
Singing
Theater
Gaming
History
Stargazing
Mental Health
Writing
Reading
STEM
Reading
Academic
Science Fiction
Science
Adult Fiction
Fantasy
Classics
Tragedy
Adventure
Novels
Biography
Young Adult
Mystery
I read books daily
Kayla Nguyen
775
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/untitled7732024033123393170af47a05b4440c6b9659e6873ff98b3.webp)
Kayla Nguyen
775
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
As one of three daughters of my Vietnamese immigrant parents, pursuing postsecondary education is a privilege that I aim to accomplish as debt-free as possible!
My passion for physics and astronomy propels me toward making the most out of my situation as a low-income, first-generation student living in the Midwest.
Education
Wichita State University
Bachelor's degree programGoddard High
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
Career
Dream career field:
Research
Dream career goals:
Astrophysicist
Arts
Goddard High School
TheatreIt's A Wonderful Life, The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, The Sound of Music, Miracle on 34th St, Freaky Friday2021 – 2024
Public services
Volunteering
Kansas Association of Youth — Member2022 – 2024Volunteering
National Honor Society — Member2023 – 2024
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Code Breakers & Changemakers Scholarship
Watching the stars and wondering about the nature of these astronomical enigmas, I found my passion through my curiosity. I had so many questions then, and as I have grown older, I have only more. I know that my future lies in me jumping through a wormhole to bend the fabric of time and space—finding the truth of what exists within our universe.
As an avid reader and storyteller, some of the universes I often immerse myself within are those of fantasy fiction, educational narratives, or graphical novels. When I open the cover of a book, I open a wormhole to another world of wonder and imagination. Most often, the world I find myself revisiting are the ones crafted by Dostoevsky. I am captured by every sentence and word, intent to pick out the threads of symbolism he laces into his carefully constructed sentences. And when I fatigue from his chthonic narrators, I cross another universe to live in the shoes of Austen's bold women who remain headstrong among a patriarchal society, in a similar way that minorities have remained strong in the STEM field. Although stationery on the page, words are alive in my head; they transform into the seas in Moby Dick or the destitute streets of Ketterdam. My curiosity for the ending of a story encourages me to turn the page, just as I hope to turn the page of my own story, even if it is difficult.
Gaining access to STEM opportunities has not been easy for me; as a low-income and first-generation student, education is a high privilege for my family that is not always affordable. In the Midwest, access to explore my science and astronomy passion has been limited by the small amount of science classes and communities at my school. I aim to make a difference in the world by cultivating my love for astronomy through undergraduate research and learning. I am excited to take advantage of the opportunities available to me at my future institution and eventually create more for others.
I look forward to starting a Minorities in STEM organization, an open space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, and people of color to connect and collaborate on a shared love for science. In such a competitive and male-dominated field, I aim for open-minded people to embrace the diversity of scientists, engineers, and researchers. Additionally, I am eager to participate in hands-on research and experiments through my future school’s laboratory classes or research opportunities. Whether at the local observatory or abroad in another country, I will always be looking up at the stars. Ignite Arts and STEM allows me to attain my dream of receiving higher education and creating a difference in the world one community at a time.
My experiences during my undergraduate years will shape my passion, determination, and most importantly, my curiosity. It is this curiosity that will lead to my postgraduate pursual of a Master's degree, and ultimately, a PhD. I aim to delve into intricate research with other like-minded individuals, discovering something new about the world. I know that I will be exposed to many different experiences and people who change my perspective and grant me the privilege to learn new things. In these years, I hope to gain many STEM-related internships, truly allowing me to conduct my own research and collaborate with others.
The celestial bodies of our universe are so abundant, yet unclear, and it is exactly why I pursue our cosmos. I wish to study astronomy so that I can understand the vast complexity that is our universe and apply what I learn towards future scientific discoveries. I possess interminable curiosity to challenge and question the ways of our world, and I intend to answer the many unsolved mysteries within it. Being able to attend college and graduate school opens a realm of possibilities for my future; with the education and experience I receive, I will continue to reach for the stars and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries about our own universe and the many beyond.