I am a rising sophomore at Western Michigan University, and I am majoring in paper engineering. I am working to create more products out of paper and to increase the recyclability of the paper industry. The paper industry is very involved in clean energy and the mindset of sustainability, by prioritizing carbon neutrality Paper is more recyclable and renewable compared to plastic. More trees can always be planted, and paper has a higher recycling rate than plastic because it is less manufactured. Paper can be the solution to limiting pollution, which can end up saving our planet. By eliminating single-use plastics, there will be less immediate waste going into landfills. By replacing plastic with paper products, the Earth will be cleaner. When I was younger, I always knew I wanted to go into a STEM field. I was a math nerd, and I loved Legos, but the experience that made me want to go specifically into engineering happened during COVID-19. When COVID-19 hit, the world spun into chaos. The school shut down. My parents' jobs shut down. Everything just stopped. It was like the Earth stopped rotating on its axis. Instead of stopping the world and freezing in a state of panic, I decided to help people. A unique thing my family did during COVID-19 was to use the magic of 3D printing. I would help my dad with 3D print frames for face shields and assemble them by clipping them on plexiglass sheets to make a face shield. My family had four different folding tables in our living room, with eight 3D printers making face shield frames. We called this printer the city. Eventually, we got the hang of resetting the prints and constructing assembly lines. We created 500 face shields for first responders and local hospitals. We were doing our part to help with the shortage of supplies at this time. Near the end of COVID-19, I ran the printers all by myself. I learned I love creating and working with 3D printers. This new interest has led me to want to go into engineering. Since then, I have designed door stops and hooks for our church and handles for our arts and crafts cupboard. I have fallen in love with designing, and love it even more when I can use it to help others. I enjoyed designing, but I wanted to do more with it. I then stumbled across Western Michigan University’s paper engineering program. I decided paper engineering is what I wanted to do because I could still use my love for designing to improve the machines and equipment used in the industry, and I am hoping to end up on the research and development side of the paper industry and help make the machines more efficient and sustainable. Another reason I went into paper engineering is that it would help me have an impact on the world. I wanted to do something that would help people. I wanted to have a positive impact on lives. My personal experiences with COVID-19 taught me that my designs can help people, and knowing paper engineering could help the environment made me feel I could create real change with my degree. I do not think paper products could completely eliminate plastic, but I do believe using more paper and less plastic will create change and help with the ever-growing issue of pollution. I am eager for my future in engineering, and I am excited to see what kind of change I will be able to create. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I appreciate your time and consideration.