I believe change begins by listening. True impact doesn’t start with imposing solutions; it starts with understanding people, their needs, and their hopes. That’s a lesson I’ve learned through every volunteering effort I’ve been part of, from designing hands-on STEM activities for students who never thought they had a place in science, to co-creating community events at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, to working at a sustainable urban farm that donates fresh produce and education to food-insecure neighborhoods. At the core of everything I do is a desire to make science and technology more inclusive, empowering, and human-centered. In my community, I’ve seen how environmental and educational inequities go hand-in-hand: families in polluted areas often lack access to the resources that help young people dream big. I want to change that, not just by addressing the symptoms, but by getting to the root of the problem. That’s why I’m pursuing materials science and engineering, with a focus on sustainability. My goal is to develop scalable, low-cost technologies—like carbon capture systems, clean energy devices, and sustainable agricultural tools—that are designed with communities, not just for them. But to me, engineering solutions is only one part of the equation. The other is education and access. I want to help dismantle the gatekeeping that still exists in STEM by building programs that demystify science and bring hands-on opportunities into underserved schools and neighborhoods. This dual approach—innovating and sharing—has guided much of my work already. When I founded a Society of Women Engineers chapter at my school, I wasn’t just starting a club. I was creating a space where students from all backgrounds could explore engineering in a fun, supportive environment. When I led my robotics team, I made it a point to mentor students from marginalized communities, making sure they not only had technical tools, but also the confidence to use them. One of my most meaningful experiences was working with Moonflower Farms, a local hydroponics farm committed to sustainability and education. I helped design mobile hydroponic units for schools, bringing clean farming technology to students who might otherwise never encounter it. That experience taught me that science doesn’t have to live in labs—it can thrive in classrooms, neighborhoods, and gardens. It showed me how powerful hands-on learning can be when it’s placed directly in people’s lives. In college and beyond, I plan to keep combining research with outreach. I’ll continue working on sustainable technology—but I’ll also be out in communities, helping students build robots from recycled materials, working with teachers to create culturally relevant science curricula, and developing nonprofit programs that train the next generation of climate innovators. To me, a positive impact isn’t measured only by the technologies you create. It’s measured by how many people you uplift along the way. It’s about designing systems that are not just efficient, but equitable—systems that leave no one behind. The world doesn’t need one kind of changemaker. It needs connectors, educators, builders, and listeners. I hope to be all of these. My mission is not only to develop sustainable solutions, but to make sure everyone has the tools and opportunity to shape the future with me. Though I didn’t know Destiny McClain personally, I’m inspired by the values she lived by—compassion, selflessness, and a deep commitment to others. Her legacy is a call to action for all of us to lead with heart, uplift our communities, and carry forward the spirit of service she embodied.

No visit to my grandparents’ house is complete without a salvaging trip with my grandpa. One of our favorite hobbies is making things, and we’re extremely lucky that a local construction company provides us access to an unpredictable treasure trove: their steel scrap dumpster! We combine cast-off pieces to give them new life, designing and making useful items for ourselves (like a 600-pound capacity hoist!) and creating needed items that we donate to local nonprofits. Through the hours spent crafting, my grandpa has taught me technical skills like woodworking and welding while instilling in me a drive to create and improve through methodical, hands-on application. This “maker mindset”—being imaginative, collaborative, hands-on, and adaptable—has guided my approach in all aspects of my life, especially STEM. Most recently, I’ve applied these skills as a high school intern in Dr. Rahimi’s electrochemistry lab at the University of Houston. While synthesizing, analyzing, and improving nanostructured electrodes and refining electrolysis conditions, I’ve realized that I’m truly passionate about chemical engineering and materials science. Pursuing these fields at MIT this fall will equip me with the technical expertise to develop cost-effective, adaptable solutions to make industries more sustainable. I believe it is vitally important to improve the quality of our air and water and to conserve our limited natural resources, and the energy sector provides one of the greatest opportunities to drive large-scale change. Technologies such as electrified chemical pathways, advanced catalysis, and process intensification can significantly reduce emissions and resource consumption, making existing oil and gas processes cleaner and more efficient without requiring a complete overhaul of infrastructure. This will enable a smoother, economically viable transition toward sustainability. I also intend to design renewable energy systems that are efficient, modular, affordable, and deployable in diverse environments—from urban rooftops to rural schools to coastal villages. I want to continue my path of reimagining industrial and manufacturing processes: integrating automation, materials innovation, and digital technologies to minimize waste, pollution, and energy consumption. I hope to delve into catalytic coatings, battery chemistries, and solar absorbers made with low-cost, recyclable materials—crucial components for renewable energy systems. More than that, I want to create solutions that don’t just work in a lab but can be implemented at scale—leveraging and improving infrastructure, anticipating future needs, and designing for longevity—and I intend to devote my career to improving these systems. But my commitment to STEM extends beyond my own ambitions—it’s also about fostering inclusivity and ensuring opportunities for others. As founder of my school’s Society of Women Engineers club, co-captain of our FIRST Robotics team, and member of the science museum’s Teen Advisory Council, I’ve worked to build supportive spaces where young women can take ownership of their ideas and find confidence in their technical skills. I’ve faced my own challenges in STEM, so I believe in expanding opportunities and providing encouragement in math and science, helping girls envision themselves succeeding in these fields. Support from the William Griggs Memorial Scholarship would allow me to focus more on impact than finances when seeking internships and jobs, enabling me to continue my education and research into developing solutions that integrate sustainability into our energy systems. I will continue to share these passions with others while empowering girls to forge their own pathways in math and science. I’m committed to making the most of this investment and of Mr. Griggs’ admirable legacy—not just for myself, but for the communities I hope to serve through science and service. And, well… I plan to help save the world. Seriously, I really do. STEM isn’t just about discovery—it’s about building a better future for us all.

The balance between renewable and traditional energy sources represents one of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—of our time. My journey toward understanding and addressing this balance has been shaped by experiences in research, entrepreneurship, and community outreach. Working in a lab on electrochemical carbon capture, green hydrogen production, and vanadium redox batteries for energy storage, collaborating with a hyper-local hydroponics farm, founding an algae biofuel startup, and engaging with global experts at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) have taught me how innovative technologies, existing infrastructure, and community education must converge to build a sustainable energy future. In Dr. Rahimi’s lab, I’ve explored electrochemical methods for carbon capture, enhancing ocean alkalinity to sequester atmospheric CO2, and green hydrogen production as a clean energy source. These projects focus on low-cost solutions, revealing how leveraging existing infrastructure can drive the practical application of sustainable technologies. For instance, pairing carbon capture systems with traditional fossil fuel plants allows for significant emission reductions while maintaining energy reliability. Similarly, green hydrogen production and ocean alkalinization can be integrated into industrial systems, contributing to global decarbonization without requiring an overhaul of current energy frameworks. The lab has taught me that successful energy transitions depend on melding cutting-edge research with the realities of infrastructure and cost. Three years ago, I founded an algae biofuel startup to explore the potential of carbon-negative energy solutions. By cultivating algae in nutrient-rich wastewater and extracting lipids to produce biofuels, I developed a closed-loop system that aligns environmental sustainability with energy production. Through this process, I delved into techno-economic analyses, gaining an appreciation for the immense R&D required to make new technologies viable. I discovered that while scaling a novel energy solution is a daunting challenge, it is a worthwhile endeavor that combines creativity with technical rigor. This experience reinforced the importance of small-scale innovation as a foundation for larger sustainability efforts. Attending the AGU conference further expanded my perspectives. Discussions with leading researchers highlighted unintended consequences of certain renewable technologies, such as the environmental impact of geothermal energy extraction on local water tables and ecosystems. These conversations underscored the importance of understanding the societal and ecological effects of energy transitions. Sustainable solutions must consider not only their technical feasibility, but also their impacts on the surrounding communities. For this reason, I’ve focused on bringing sustainable energy solutions to the community level. As an intern at Moonflower Farms, an urban hydroponics startup, I’ve worked to incorporate renewable energy into their farming systems while emphasizing education and outreach. By integrating solar panels and energy-efficient technologies, we’ve demonstrated how small-scale renewables can power local food systems sustainably. Through Moonflower’s nonprofit arm, I’ve helped develop curricula that teach community members–from elementary students to historically marginalized groups–how to adopt similar systems in their homes and neighborhoods. This emphasis on education ensures that sustainability is not just a technological innovation but a shared value, fostering widespread support for renewable energy adoption. My journey has shown me that sustainable energy solutions require more than technical innovation—they demand collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and perspectives. Whether conducting research in the lab, engaging with experts at AGU, or working with local communities, I’ve learned that the most effective solutions emerge from a nexus of science, infrastructure, and education. I plan to continue this work, focusing on practical, inclusive energy solutions that empower communities while protecting our planet and honoring Dennis Yakobson’s enduring dedication to sustainability. Guided by ambition, driven by impact, and fueled by passion, I aim to help create a world where renewable and traditional energy systems coexist in harmony, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally sound future for all.