Death is a peculiar thing. I knew it was coming, yet I was still hopeful. I never expected hearing those words when I answered my mom’s call on what I thought was a normal Tuesday afternoon senior year of high school. Her text, “Call me when you are on your way home,” was unusual, so I called her. I expected to hear good news about my grandfather’s progress. Maybe he had taken extra steps, climbed more stairs, or achieved another milestone in his recovery. Instead, her words shattered me: “Pop went to Heaven this morning.” The tears wouldn’t stop, standing in the hallway outside of my Orchestra class. When I got to my grandparents’ house, the first thing I noticed was no one else crying. In my grandma’s words, they were “all out of tears.” Philip Metcalfe (“Pop”) was my best friend. In all of my baby pictures, I was either sleeping in his hands or wearing one of his infamous baseball caps. Over COVID was when we connected the most. Every Wednesday, we’d talk on the phone about everything: my first car, college applications, or just life in general. I’d give anything to hear his voice over the phone again. My grandpa was born the eldest of four sons in Muncie, IN, where his three brothers still remain. He grew up on the family farm, but landed himself at Olivet Nazarene College on a full ride scholarship, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1971 and where he met my grandma, Edie (“gram”). They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary less than a week before Pop had his hip-breaking fall in July 2022, ultimately leading to his passing in September. A very important aspect of Pop’s life was his faith. I have always struggled to understand why Pop left us after he was improving, after walking 150 steps per day, after making it up and down a flight of stairs. However, I have since been able to thank God for the extra time that we got with him. Whether Pop knew his time was limited or not, I don’t know, but before he passed he helped my grandma sort the financial and funeral affairs. High School was extremely busy for me with my job, marching band, and my rigorous course load. When I would visit Pop in rehab or in the hospital, I was finally able to breathe and focus on the most important thing of all – family Since his passing, there has not been a single day in which I have not thought of him. One of my hardest experiences was walking across the football field for my final game in marching band. My mom stood on my right, my grandma on my left, but I fought to hold back the tears when all that was on my mind was “It is supposed to be Pop.” He was supposed to be holding my hand, crossing that field with me. Although his passing left a huge hole in my heart, having family by my side has helped fill it. Since his passing, I have grown closer to my mom, gram, and to his youngest brother – Steve. Having Steve so near to Purdue made the transition from my home near Philly much easier. While losing Pop has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, God blessed me with Pop and I am incredibly grateful for the love and memories I have from my time with him. Pop’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught his family and the unwavering love he showed us everyday.

My mom has always told me that I am special. Growing up, she encouraged me to do my best, and even when my efforts didn’t match the achievements of others, she never stopped pushing me. This love and encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my goals. It is because of her support that I am now attending Purdue University, majoring in nuclear engineering, and will be commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) upon graduation. Although nuclear engineering was not always on my radar, I gradually discovered that it was the right path for me. If you had asked me ten years ago what I wanted to be, I would have said either a veterinarian, a musician, or both. However, as I progressed through high school, I realized my potential and my growing interest in science and mathematics. This, combined with my mom's unwavering support for me is what convinced me to pursue engineering. Throughout high school, I discovered my interest in service. I began volunteering at a children's charity in Philadelphia, which sparked a deep desire to help others. Joining JROTC formed my leadership skills, and now as a member of Purdue’s Air Force ROTC (AFROTC), I continue to develop these abilities every day. I am passionate about leadership, service, and empowering others, and my time in AFROTC is helping me to satisfy these desires. Just this past week, a few students from my AFROTC detachment received a briefing from a representative of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), who emphasized the critical role nuclear technology plays in our national security. In the 1980s, the U.S. produced 1-2 tons of Plutonium annually, but today, production has decreased to just hundreds of kilograms. The individuals who were instrumental in the Cold War-era production are either too elderly to contribute to the revamping of this endeavor or no longer alive. As a result, there is a growing need for new researchers and experts to accelerate the production of nuclear weapon materials to stay competitive with global threats, especially China. As a nuclear engineer, I am determined to help shift the public’s perception of nuclear technology. Unfortunately, incidents like Chornobyl have led to a widespread stigma that associates nuclear energy and weapons with long-term disasters and fallout. However, nuclear technology holds immense potential for both national security and a sustainable future. Changing the narrative starts with educating the public about the effects of nuclear weapons and how not every nuclear episode is as long-lasting as Chornobyl. I am passionate about ensuring that the next generation of Americans views nuclear technology as another method to generate power, not something to fear. My ultimate goal is to contribute to a future where nuclear energy and technology are used responsibly and more often for the benefit of this country. I will accomplish this goal throughout my time as an officer in the USAF and as a nuclear engineer in industry.

Growing up near Philadelphia, I've witnessed the devastating impact of homelessness and drug abuse. This issue has always resonated with me because I'm passionate about helping others, yet I recognize the enormity of the challenge. I have done a lot of research on why homelessness occurs and why it seems to be a never-ending cycle, and I have found that some of the main causes include growing up in a broken family, having parents with substance abuse issues, absent parents, and lack of access to an education. The sad reality is that the city of Philadelphia is number one in the country for rates of deep poverty, meaning a family of four living on less than $12,000 per year. Education plays a pivotal role in breaking this cycle. Those attempting to escape these circumstances often face rejection, due to their past struggles or lack of formal education. Without the financial means to escape this cyclical environment, many return to where substance abuse and violence are prevalent. I have spent around 200 hours volunteering as a teen leader with Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit in Philly working towards ending poverty in the inner city by giving children access to essential items like clothes and school supplies. Throughout my time at this organization, I have heard many stories of the differences that these donations have made in these children’s lives. When children do not have access to clothes that both fit and are appropriate to their size and gender, they will avoid going to school out of embarrassment. Additionally, if a kid does not have a warm winter coat, the journey to school becomes nearly impossible. By giving these children clothes through Cradles to Crayons, they gain the confidence to go to school where they can gain the necessary information that it takes to break free from the poverty cycle. While I understand that individual efforts can't solve systemic issues alone, I'm committed to doing my part. Whether it's volunteering in the city, buying meals for those in need, or advocating for change, every action counts. I believe in the power of the collective to accomplish meaningful change. The issue of homelessness and drug abuse in Philadelphia is multifaceted and deeply grounded. However, by addressing root causes, advocating for systemic solutions, and supporting organizations like Cradles to Crayons, I am attempting to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

I am incredibly fortunate to come from a family with a strong tradition of military service and commitment to community. My mother, a true hero in my eyes, enlisted in the US Army in the early '80s, where she served for four years in various global locations, including South Korea, as a medical administrator. This experience fueled her passion for learning and nursing, leading her to pursue a nursing degree at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania after leaving the service. Over the years, she dedicated herself to nursing in various hospital departments until her health could no longer sustain it. Undeterred, she pursued a Master's Degree in Nursing and higher education, becoming a professor for aspiring undergraduate nursing students. My stepbrother is the only other member of my family to have served. He served 4 years in the Marine Corps, where he was stationed in Spain, Japan, and other incredible places. Although he did not have as pleasant of an experience as my mom did so many years prior, he never regretted his time serving his country. Inspired by my mother's positive experiences in the military, I knew from a young age that I, too, wanted to serve my country. In high school, I joined Air Force Junior ROTC and had the pleasure and honor of serving as my detachment's Cadet Commander. I learned all about military traditions and benefits that I hadn't learned from my mom. Before graduating high school, I committed myself to service through the Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program. Now, I am an undergraduate student studying Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University. I am a member of Detachment 220, the University's Air Force ROTC detachment. Upon my arrival at Det220, I have participated in many volunteer and service events, such as providing parking lot security during football games, cleaning up the stadium after football games, picking up trash with a group of fellow cadets, and much more. My primary goal at Purdue is to obtain an education, a prerequisite for commissioning as an officer in the United States Air Force. Additionally, I am determined to acquire a diverse set of skills that will make me the most effective and confident leader upon graduation. My journey is fueled by a deep appreciation for the opportunities this country has afforded my family. I am driven by the hope that my time in the service will positively impact those around me, just as I was positively influenced by my mother's experiences. This scholarship will not only support my academic pursuits but also contribute to the broader goal of fostering leadership and service within the next generation of military officers.

In third grade, I had a crush. As with most elementary school crushes, I liked him simply because he was a boy who didn’t think I had cooties. Until he moved schools in 6th grade, I had already planned our future together. My friends and I planned our wedding, designed the floor plan of our future mansion, and of course, gambled on how many babies the storks would deliver to us. Every day at recess, I would walk around with my chest puffed and shoulders back, surrounded by my posse of girls to prove my popularity. Occasionally, I would ditch my friends and talk to him alone. Luckily for me, I had a lot of experience playing backyard games with my stepdad, so I was able to keep up with all of the boys when we played kickball on the blacktop. Any doubt I had about him crushing back on me was eliminated when he would let me cut in front of him in the line to kick. On this particular day, we sat in our pre-assigned seats at lunch. On the table’s bench, it was me, my friend, Mary, and then Shawn, my crush, on the opposite end as me. This was a “pizza” day, so I packed my lunch. Shawn did too, something very out of character for him. When our table was called up to the lunch line, him and I remained seated. I prompted some small talk but it did not last long. Only a brief time later, he said, “listen to this.” He proceeded to let out the loudest, stinkiest, most forceful fart that I have ever experienced. It was so forceful that the bench shook under me, more than three feet away. I was shocked. And, frankly, sort of impressed. Despite being entirely grossed out, I giggled for what felt like forever. People started staring at us, wondering why we were struggling to breathe while writhing around. It was not pain that we were in, however, it was true giddiness. No humor is as pure as fart humor. Everyone farts and everyone laughs at farts. Babies laugh when raspberries are blown on their bellies, and old people laugh when they eventually lose control of their gas. Through my giggles, I told my friends what he had done just moments before, and they told theirs. Eventually, the whole table was losing their minds over the matter. Despite this occurring over a decade ago at this point, I still laugh at the thought of the bench rumbling beneath me. I wonder, too, if Shawn remembers this incident or if I am the only one keeping this memory alive.

This scholarship will be used towards furthering my education since education is the first step to success in my future. While I do not know where I am going to school yet, I know that it will be an expensive journey. I have a passion for learning, and college will be an opportunity for me to thrive academically. This money will be put towards the expenses of college, since I know it will be expensive, despite all of the money-saving measures I am taking in advance. All my life, I have been committed to service at all levels; local, national, and individual. In my community, I have amassed over 250 volunteer service hours through Cradles to Crayons in Philadelphia as well as through various opportunities through AFJROTC and NHS. At Cradles to Crayons, I lead groups of volunteers through the different service stations at our “giving factory.” I was part of a team of high school students devoted to serving their local community. I am now a Junior Champion, and I have individually fundraised over $2,050. I plan to continue to fundraise and volunteer when I am at college and when I come home. Through my involvement in the National Honor Society, I have volunteered by raking leaves, cleaning up parks, running events for local schools, and much more. As a member, I have amassed over 50 service hours through tutoring and participation in events. In JROTC I have helped to spread mulch at the local senior center, as well as organize drives for local charities and shelters. I plan to apply my experience to other service opportunities and groups in college. My love to serve runs parallel with my love of music. Individually and with local groups, I have played numerous concerts at senior living homes as well as public community venues. I do these concerts for free because I love seeing the reactions from audience members, especially the older ones. Recently, I played in a Saint Patrick’s day concert, and some of the viewers explained how we “made their whole week” and how we were the highlight of their year thus far. I love making people’s lives brighter, and I do what I can to put smiles on people’s faces. In college, I plan to organize a string quartet and perform for different groups. This scholarship will help me to feel financially secure so that I will be able to participate in musical ensembles. Almost as big as my passion for learning is my passion for teaching. During the summers, I assist my orchestra director in running a summer camp for young musicians. I love watching people grow while doing something that they enjoy, so I do not plan to give that up in college. Outside of music, I tutor kids in different subjects. I love sharing my knowledge and excitement for learning when teaching others. In college, I will join an Honors College. Through an Honors college, I will be able to tutor my peers and continue to teach others. In college, I plan on continuing to serve my community and country. Inspired by my time as squadron commander of my high school’s AFJROTC, I am joining ROTC in college, and I will continue to serve with a military career post-graduation. I am a future physics major with an interest in engineering. My major and future career will help me to serve my country since I will be able to utilize science to benefit society at large. I will be able to collaborate with other individuals and scholars to make positive differences in the country.

All my life, I have been committed to service at all levels; local, national, and individual. In my community, I have amassed over 250 volunteer service hours through Cradles to Crayons in Philadelphia as well as through various opportunities through AFJROTC and NHS. At Cradles to Crayons, I lead groups of volunteers through the different service stations at our “giving factory.” I held the position of “Teen Leader” and I was part of a team of high school students devoted to serving their local community. I am now a Junior Champion, and I have individually fundraised over $2,050 for them. Through my involvement in the National Honor Society, I have volunteered by raking leaves, cleaning up parks, running and organizing events for the local elementary schools, and much more. As a member, I have amassed over 50 service hours through tutoring and participation in numerous service events. In JROTC I have helped to spread mulch at the local senior center, as well as organize drives for local charities and shelters. My love to serve runs parallel with my love of music. Individually and with local groups, I have played numerous concerts at senior living homes as well as public community venues. I do these concerts for free because I love seeing the reactions from audience members, especially the older ones. Recently, I played in a Saint Patrick’s day concert, and some of the viewers explained how we “made their whole week” and how we were the highlight of their year thus far. I love making people’s lives brighter, and I do what I can to put smiles on people’s faces. I serve individuals through teaching and tutoring. Almost as big as my passion for learning is my passion for teaching. During the summers, I assist my orchestra director in running a summer camp for young musicians. I love watching people grow while doing something that they enjoy, so this music camp is one of the highlights of my year. Outside of music, I tutor numerous kids in different subjects. I love sharing my knowledge and excitement for learning when teaching others. In college, I plan on continuing to serve my community and country. Inspired by my time as squadron commander of my high school’s AFJROTC, I am joining ROTC in college, and I will continue to serve with a military career post-graduation. I am a future physics major with an interest in engineering. My major and future career will help me to serve my country since I will be able to utilize science to benefit society at large. I will be able to collaborate with other individuals and scholars to make positive differences in the country.

All my life, I have wanted to serve. Whether through volunteering or leading my AFJROTC Corps as Commander, I have always needed to help people. As an accomplished student and JROTC cadet, I have contemplated what I wanted for my future. I knew I did not want to enlist since I have a strong passion for learning, but I wanted to serve my community and nation in some way. I decided to apply for the Army and Air Force ROTC National Scholarship for High School Students in November of 2022. Within two months, I shortened my mile time from 12 minutes to 7:57, and I went from struggling through 11 pushups to knocking out 35. I have never let struggles or the idea of struggling get in my way. I persevere through any task, no matter how daunting. This attitude will help me through a career as a military officer. In the Army, I will face more challenges than I can begin to comprehend. But, everything I face will shape me into the person I am meant to become. Serving in the military fits into my overall career plan since I perform my best in structured environments, and I have prepared for different leadership roles my entire life. I spent the summer of 2021 volunteering with Cradles to Crayons in Philadelphia, where I led groups of volunteers as they worked in the warehouse. I taught the groups how to do each station, as well as aided them when confused. I was also orchestra president for two years during high school. In this position, I organized events to help the orchestra bond and become closer. This will help me in my military career since every unit needs to be close. When everyone is working towards a shared goal, it is important to have strong communication and a sense of familiarity. When everyone is a stranger, then communication is lost and the mission is at risk of failing. I thrive in situations where I collaborate with others, and I look forward to collaboration in the military. I attended a leadership camp called Camp Neidig in the summer of 2022. In this camp where I knew no one, I was surrounded by other prospective leaders who had to work together to communicate and complete shared tasks and goals. It was in this camp that I was able to differentiate between a natural and influential leader and one who is only in charge to boost their ego. I have learned skills that will help me as both a leader and a follower in the future, positions that I imagine myself in when eventually serving my country. The most challenging experience I have had as a leader comes from being a section leader in the marching band. During the outdoor season of the band, I was in a section consisting of six senior students and three underclassmen. I was selected for the position of section leader by the adult leadership, despite the other seniors trying out for the position. I struggled during the season with people contesting me for my position and overstepping their roles as members of the ensemble. I had to diffuse situations of verbal abuse of senior members onto the underclassmen. I found it challenging to balance friendship with leadership and the delegation of tasks. Despite these challenges, I overcame all of the struggles. Through my devotion and persistence, the section is stronger than in years past. I know that the skills I acquired of delegation, diffusion, self-awareness, and integrity will only make me a stronger leader in my military career.