My goal in life is to become a wildlife biologist and eventually a professor. I'd like to research and also open doors for students from underrepresented backgrounds. I want to be an inspiration to others. As a first-generation college student and a black woman in STEM, I understand how hard it can be to imagine yourself in spaces where few people look like you or share your experiences. That is exactly why I want to use my career to make a lasting impact. Both in wildlife biology and the lives of the young girls who will come after me. I want to be the kind of person who can inspire confidence and curiosity. Representation matters, and I want students, especially young black girls, to see someone who looks like them thriving in science. My long-term goal includes teaching at the college level, mentoring students, and building programs that make science more welcoming and inclusive, where everyone's voice matters, and questions are valued. Beyond the classroom, I want to use my platform to connect science with underserved communities. I believe education should not stay locked in labs or behind university walls. I want to create outreach programs that make wildlife biology more engaging and accessible, especially in schools that might not have the funding or resources for hands-on science experiences. Whether it is leading nature walks, organizing community science projects, or working with kids who have never had the chance to explore the outdoors, I want to help others fall in love with the natural world the way I did. Wildlife biology is about protecting ecosystems and species, but I also see it as a path to social change. Environmental issues like pollution, climate change, and habitat loss affect everyone, but they often hit marginalized communities the hardest. As a scientist, I want to advocate for solutions that are not just effective, but also fair and inclusive. Currently, I work as a swim instructor, teaching children of all ages. It's one of the most rewarding parts of my life. I get to watch kids grow more confident in themselves, one small step at a time. Experiencing this has taught me how to be patient and understanding of others. I love encouraging my students to be their best and to try their hardest. I try ti bring that same energy into everything I do. I have younger siblings who look up to me, and I want to show them that no dream is too big, even if you're the first one to chase it. This scholarship would relieve some of the financial burden of college and allow me to focus more fully on my education, research goals, and future outreach work. Your support would help me continue on this path, not just for me, but for the students I hope to teach, mentor, and uplift in the years to come. I trying to build a future in science that includes more voices, more stories, and more possibilities.

I grew up in Cincinnati Ohio, I often felt a lack of belonging. Being the only black girl in my grade, made me stand out in ways I didn’t want to. All I wanted was to blend in and be like everyone else. Even wishing I were white so I wouldn’t be treated so differently. Yet, being around my people, I never felt accepted. I was sometimes called “white-washed” because of my interests. I struggled to find where I fit in. I ended up turning to something that always brought me comfort: nature. When I was a kid, I loved Wild Kratts and Pokémon. I loved learning about different animals, and pretending I was a trainer. Those childhood interests turned into my love for wildlife biology and ecology. I once did a conservation project in school and the more I learned, the more I knew this was the path for me. However, I never really saw people like me in this field. Black women are rare in this field, and that can feel a bit demotivating sometimes. This became a motivation for me. I want to show other young black girls and all-girls alike, that they belong in science too. Their curiosity, passion, and love for nature are just as valid as anyone else’s. That their ideas matter too. I'd like to gain hands-on experience doing research, working in the field, and learning from experts in conservation. Every opportunity I get brings me closer to making an impact. One day I hope to become a professor and mentor. I want to be the person I wish I had when I was younger. Someone who can tell young women that being different is powerful. That they don’t have to fit into anyone’s expectations to succeed. That they deserve to be in this space. Being a Black woman in wildlife biology comes with challenges. But these experiences made me more determined. I don't to let the lack of representation stop my plans. I want to be the change. This scholarship would help in reducing the financial burden for education. Tuition cost, housing, and just general expenses. Receiving extra support would allow me to focus on my goals without constant financial stress. It would also give me the freedom to pursue my passion and help me grow in this field. I'm very passionate about wildlife biology and the representation in science for women. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to continue my education and work toward my goals without financial barriers holding me back. Thank you for your time and consideration.

My name is Kéana Dekle. Throughout my teenage years, I had always questioned what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. The question “Who am I?” would often pop into my head. Moving to North Carolina gave me the aspiration to pursue my dream field in wildlife biology. I have always loved nature and the animals. Growing up in Ohio, I often read about the history of flourishing wildlife and how those populations dwindled. Moving to North Carolina was a beautiful experience for me. The skies were always blue, the trees were incredibly green, and the biodiversity of the ecological populations captivated me. Seeing this gave me a new question: What can I do to preserve this? With the Sikora Drake Women in STEM Scholarship, I would be able to pursue my dream and take my stance on protecting our ecosystem. I strongly believe that our environment is something that we can choose to protect or something that we can decide to destroy. I am choosing to protect it. I put a lot of effort into this goal. I bought books, wrote papers, watched research videos, and asked questions. The Sikora Drake Women in STEM Scholarship would provide me with the financial support that is needed to excel in this male-dominated field. As a Black woman, I don't have much representation in this field. Growing up, I adored watching things such as Wild Kratts, River Monsters, and National Geographic documentaries. These were a great way to introduce a younger me to the world of animal science and ecology, but it never felt personal to me. I want to be the representation that I never had. Giving other little girls the opportunity to watch me succeed and know that they can too, even if they are the only girls in the room. The Sikora Drake Women in STEM Scholarship will help me by amplifying my voice to teach and inspire young girls to learn about and protect their environment. To finalize, I am grateful to have this opportunity from the Sikora Drake Women in STEM Scholarship to share my goals and passions. With this scholarship, I plan to give back to my community and protect the world we live in through the study of wildlife biology and ecology. One day, I will be the one to inspire and teach the next generation of young women interested in science and the world around us.

I like Billie Eilish. Her music has always inspired me as someone who plays instruments and writes music. Her lyrics are deep and meaningful. Since I've been in middle school, I've loved her music. My Favorite Billie songs are Happier Than Ever, I Love You, and lomilo because at some point in my life, I was able to resonate with the lyrics. When it comes to the first song, "Happier Than Ever" it reminded me of my breakup with the first person I'd ever dated. It was messy and toxic. I'd "cut off my mother and friends" just for him because I believed he was the one and only person for me. Now that I'm older, I can see just how much happier I am without him. I love this song because Billie expresses her emotions using the music and the lyrics. The second song, "I Love You" hits me close to home because of how strongly I feel about the lyrics. Sometimes, it hurts to love someone. You don't want to ruin a bond or friendship you've already made. That is exactly how I felt at the time of this song's release. This is the song that made me fall in love with her music. The lyrics "I can't escape the way I love you" hit so strongly for me because the person I loved didn't feel the same and never would. He was my best friend, and loving him hurt. I really did wish I could un-tell him how I felt. With this song, I felt like Bille understood what I was feeling. Ilomilo happens to be my favorite Bille song of all time. I am someone with an anxiety disorder. The lyrics of this song almost perfectly describe how I feel anxious. I always imagine the worst could happen and I'm scared of being alone. When the song says "Hurry I'm worried" it reminds me of the panic I feel sometimes. The lyrics "I don't care if it's alive" remind me of my own irrational thoughts. I've never met Bille Eilish in person but I feel like in a way she understands me. The songs that she has written make me feel like I am understood. My favorite songs of hers make me feel seen. I hope Bille continues to release music that connects with her fans.