I believe having a strong community can help with the quality and longevity of one's life. Something I'm passionate about is promoting STEAM for women. I think it's important that we encourage the next generations of young girls to explore the physical world around them. In a society that brushes over women's accomplishments, more girls should stand together and support each other. I have joined an organization called BWEEMS (Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Sciences) in hopes of finding my own mentors and mentoring others. BWEEMS is an organization of women (from multiple backgrounds, not just black) in environmental fields to provide community, mentorship, and support to one another. I joined because I had a lot of similar values. Being a woman, especially a black woman, in a scientific field can be challenging because you're not taken as seriously as your counterparts. When we come together as a community, we can share our stories and advise our peers. Last summer, I volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club to aid in their SMART girls program. This was a program that supported young girls in K-12. I mentored a group of middle school girls through research projects, helping them develop questions, present their findings, and build confidence speaking in front of others. The girls also learned essential life skills like personal hygiene, public speaking, and what to do in morally questionable situations. The girls won scholarships towards their education and made friendships. Every day, we said a positive affirmation to uplift their self-view. I enjoyed getting to know the girls in the camp, and I feel as if they also made a lasting impact on me. I loved being a part of a community that encouraged growth and positivity. Being able to pass on my knowledge as a young woman to these girls inspired me to keep uplifting them. I am currently in school for wildlife biology and conservation. I hope to use my knowledge to inspire young girls to have an interest in our natural world and use their voices. I feel like it's all connected; education brings awareness, and awareness can lead to change. This change can give all of us a brighter future. The first step is giving them the encouragement they need. For my educational journey, I try my best to not only understand and learn but to also to help my peers to understand as well. I try to use the knowledge I gain to educate those around me. One day, I hope to leave a lasting impact on this planet and those around me. Giving back to my community is important to me. Having accomplishments in life means nothing if I can't use those accomplishments to help others. We only have one planet, and I want to live my life in a way that respects it. Even if what I do is small, such as tutoring my peers, it's still a positive impact on others. I want to uplift rather than discount, create rather than destroy, and give back rather than mindlessly consume.

Everybody needs a place to live. My name is Keana Dekle, and I firmly believe that everybody has a right to a home, and I believe it's true for animals as well. I am a wildlife biology and conservation student at NCSU as a rising junior. During my time as a student, I've had the opportunity to work on projects that helped understand the population numbers of local wildlife. From this research and the books/articles I've read, I would claim that the most urgent problem in wildlife conservation and coexistence is habitat loss and the urbanization of our carnivorous animals. Recently I went to see the new DreamWorks movie Hoppers. The movie is about a girl trying to save a local ecosystem in her backyard from land development and large highway construction. The movie had its own sci-fi twist and talking animals, but it still brought up serious topics like habitat loss. The movie also brings up the topic of how all species coexist with each other, but humans take more than they need. While watching the movie, I strongly opposed the unnecessary land development, as it displaced many creatures from their homes. This happens in real life, with many species' greatest threat being our own expansions into their world. Our taking of their land isn't even the worst part, as it also comes with pollution and extermination of local “pests”. For example, I live in North Carolina, which happens to be home to the critically endangered red wolf. They are greatly impacted by loss of habitat since large carnivores, especially canids, use a lot of land. They have been killed by many oncoming vehicles, but they have also been killed by the locals. They don't like the wolves because they fear them, or they get misidentified with coyotes. I think something that might combat this fear and replace it with caution would be education. I live in a state where a lot of people own guns. I also live in a state with a large population of coyotes. The county that I was living in had a lot of older people as well. The local government had released an article reminding its citizens that they could legally shoot coyotes year-round, so they would have to deal with their nuisance. This made me think about why coyotes in my area were so hated. It boils down to the coyotes having a high presence in the area and the proximity to the residents' dogs. I think this really shows how the simple existence of the animal is villainized from fear; that villainization can lead to eradication. Habitat loss and pollution are overall the leading cause of the extinction of many animals. They have a right to live and breathe just like the rest of us. We as a society need to educate each other on the best practices to be kinder to our neighbors. For me, that is a goal that I have, as well as inspiring other girls that look like me to want to be involved. I think this planet is beautiful and we should all do our part to keep it that way.

My name is Ke’ana, and I am a wildlife biology and conservation student at North Carolina State University. I chose this major because I think the natural world is beautiful and has a right to exist. I want to do what I can to leave a positive impact on this planet and be an inspiration to those around me. I am pursuing my bachelor's degree after finishing my associate's in science, with later plans of pursuing a PHD. My goal is to become a wildlife educator and a professor . Animal welfare can symbolize a healthy ecosystem. When we think of animal care, we usually think of veterinary medicine, but even small acts of care help contribute to the well-being and conservation of wildlife. Understanding how our personal impacts, whether good or bad, affect those who we share a planet is very important. Most problems we have in North Carolina with wildlife are conflicts with humans. Whether it's using pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides or leaving out food irresponsibly, it's still a lack of care for animals. We have incredible rehabilitation programs in North Carolina that aid these animals in recovery, and certain laws that have been passed that protect our species. However, even with these in place, there are still many unintentional yet preventable conflicts. What I think is the most important for the welfare and conservation of animals is education. I want to be able to give the opportunity for those around to understand how they interact with the world and how the world is interacting with them back. My biggest goal is to be able to found an education and rehab non-profit program that lets people get involved. Making education available can be one of the most important factors in conservation. Understanding local ecosystems and how we fit into the equation is something that I think will greatly help people care and want to contribute. This might be challenging, as finding ways to make people care can be difficult. For me, I grew up watching shows like Wild Kratts and Pokémon that gave me a great appreciation for the natural world. As I grew up, I watched YouTube documentaries. And now, as an adult, I'm going to national parks and meeting with other like-minded people to do research. I want to be someone who can use their experiences as a voice to tell stories and educate. I am very grateful to have this opportunity to pursue my goals, as I've worked really hard to be able to stand where I am today. I understand that this career field does not make a lot of money but I believe what I stand for is bigger than that. This scholarship would aid me in the total cost of my goal. I hope to one day give the same opportunity to others and to inspire those around me to want to get involved in wildlife conservation and education. Wildlife conservation is important to me, and it's important to the well-being of the animals I want to protect.

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.