My experience in FIRST Robotics Challenge has fundamentally shaped how I see my future in STEM, not just as a career path, but as a responsibility. When I first joined FRC, I thought robotics was mainly about building a working machine. Over time, I realized it was really about problem-solving under pressure, collaboration, and learning how to think like an engineer. Being part of a team meant learning how to break down complex problems, test ideas that didn’t always work, and keep pushing forward even when progress felt slow. That mindset has carried into how I approach challenges both in and out of school. FRC also introduced me to engineering as something tangible and impactful. Seeing code translate into movement, or a design decision affect performance on the field, made STEM feel real in a way that classrooms alone never could. It helped me understand that engineering isn’t just technical, it’s human. Every decision affects people, safety, and outcomes. That perspective strongly aligns with the values Kenneth R. Vessey stood for, especially his dedication to safety and mentorship. My interest in robotics deepened further when I attended the Stony Brook University pre-college aerial robotics program. There, I worked hands-on with drones using Python and the Crazyflie platform, applying concepts I had first encountered through FRC at a higher level. That experience confirmed that this is what I want to pursue long-term. It showed me how robotics, software, and engineering theory come together in real research and real-world applications. More importantly, it helped me envision myself in a future where I am designing systems that are both innovative and responsible. Through FRC, I also learned the importance of mentorship. I’ve benefited from mentors who took the time to explain not just what to do, but why it mattered. That has inspired me to want to give back in the same way, whether through mentoring future robotics students or working on projects that prioritize safety and accessibility. Because of these experiences, I plan to pursue a STEM major in college, with a focus on engineering and robotics. FRC didn’t just prepare me academically; it gave me direction. It taught me how to think critically, work ethically, and stay committed to learning, even when things are difficult. This scholarship represents more than financial support. It honors a mentor who believed in students and the power of STEM to make a difference. I hope to carry that legacy forward in my education and career.

Leadership and science are two forces that continually shape the world. Science provides the tools to understand, innovate, and push the boundaries of what is possible. Leadership ensures that this knowledge is applied responsibly, ethically, and for the benefit of society. Together, they guide the course of progress and determine the future we create. Throughout history, scientific breakthroughs from vaccines that save millions to technology that connects the globe have transformed lives. Yet these advances only reach their full potential when guided by visionary leadership. Renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and medical innovations require both knowledge and the wisdom to implement them in ways that solve real-world challenges. In my own journey, I’ve seen how leadership and science intersect. Participating in a science and engineering research program allowed me to explore experiments firsthand and access materials that enabled me to tackle real-world challenges. As president of my school’s esports team, I’ve led national tournaments requiring strategy, collaboration, and quick problem-solving skills that mirror the teamwork essential in scientific research. Partnering with my community library to create a summer program for kids taught me how to inspire curiosity and foster learning. Serving as student trustee for my entire district has given me the responsibility of representing thousands of students, showing me that leadership is about listening, advocating, and guiding a community. Even in my personal life, being my brother’s keeper has taught me that leadership begins with care, patience, and accountability. These experiences have shown me that the future is shaped by the combination of knowledge and action. Science gives us the engine to innovate; leadership is the steering wheel that directs those innovations toward meaningful impact. Whether solving technical challenges in robotics and aerial drones or helping others discover their potential, I’ve learned that progress requires both skill and the ability to unite people toward a common goal. As I continue to grow, I aspire to lead with curiosity and empathy, using science not only to innovate but to create solutions that are equitable, sustainable, and transformative. Our generation has the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure that the future we build is brighter, wiser, and more connected than ever before.

When I first learned I was a sickle cell carrier, the news hit me like a sudden explosion. One moment, I was sitting in my public speaking class, and the next, I was frozen in my seat, holding a phone to my ear as the blood donation company explained my test results. My mind went blank. I barely heard their words beyond, “You should not donate blood.” What lingered with me was a heavy fear: sickle cell. At that moment, I thought my life would be cut short. It all started innocently. One evening after wrestling practice, my team captain, who is also a close friend, asked me to sign up for the school’s blood drive. Out of respect for him, I agreed. Weeks later, I nearly forgot, but I showed up, gave my blood, and thought little of it afterward. A few months later, he asked if I could do it again, and once more I agreed without hesitation. Then came that unexpected call in class. They explained my results, but shock drowned out everything except the word “sickle cell.” I spent the rest of the day and week consumed by fear. I researched obsessively and was devastated when I read that people with sickle cell disease often have shorter lifespans. I sat in silence, depressed, imagining a future cut short. Even my friends noticed. One asked me directly if something was wrong, and when I finally hinted at what I had learned, she connected it to a lesson from her AP Biology class. Still, I could not bring myself to talk openly about it. Eventually, I reached my older brother, who is a medical student. When I asked if he had sickle cell, he surprised me by saying yes, before quickly clarifying. Like me, he explained, he was not living with sickle cell disease, but was a carrier. He taught me what I had missed in my panic: that being a carrier is different, that my life was not in immediate danger, but that it was still important knowledge for my health and future. In that moment, the weight that had crushed me lifted, though not completely. I felt relief, but also a new awareness of the invisible burdens that blood disorders place on people and families. This experience changed the way I see the world. It opened my eyes to the fear, confusion, and stigma that can accompany blood disorders, especially when people don’t fully understand them. Even though I am “only” a carrier, my story is a reminder of how vital education and awareness are. I hope to spread awareness by first sharing my own story. Personal experiences have the power to make others stop and listen in a way that statistics cannot. I plan to use the platforms available to me, whether through social media, school presentations, volunteer opportunities, or even my role as a student board trustee, to educate others about blood disorders. My goal is to help people understand not just the science, but also the human impact: the fear, the silence, and ultimately, the hope that comes with knowledge.

Growing up in New York, Mount Vernon, I quickly realized that life doesn’t hand out equal opportunities. My family faced financial challenges that often made even simple resources like tutoring, extracurricular programs, or test prep feel out of reach. Yet, instead of letting these obstacles define me, I used them as motivation to work harder and pursue every opportunity available. Balancing academics with responsibilities at home became a constant part of my life. I helped care for younger siblings while my parents worked long hours, and sometimes I had to navigate schoolwork with limited resources. There were moments when I doubted whether I could keep up with my peers, but I refused to let circumstance dictate my potential. Instead, I leaned into hard work and discipline, maintaining a 4.0 GPA through freshman and sophomore years and pushing through even when challenges felt overwhelming. I’ve sought to maximize every opportunity despite these limitations. I actively participate in academic and STEM-focused programs, including an aerial robotics course at Stony Brook University, where I’ve gained hands-on experience coding and piloting drones. Beyond academics, I’ve pursued leadership and service, contributing to school clubs and mentoring younger students when possible. Each achievement reflects not just ability, but determination, resourcefulness, and resilience qualities, I believe, that are essential for success. Receiving this scholarship would remove barriers that still stand in my way. It would give me access to programs, resources, and experiences I cannot afford on my own, allowing me to focus fully on college preparation and my long-term goal of pursuing engineering. It would also ease the financial strain on my family, giving me the space to fully dedicate myself to academics and personal growth without distraction. I believe motivated students from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve opportunities like this because circumstances do not define potential. What defines potential is the willingness to rise above challenges, embrace growth, and remain committed to achieving goals despite setbacks. I have faced financial hardship, limited resources, and personal responsibilities, yet I have consistently worked to excel academically and personally. This scholarship would be both a recognition of my past efforts and a critical stepping stone toward future impact, allowing me not only to pursue my dreams but also to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. Through determination, persistence, and hard work, I have learned to turn obstacles into motivation. I am committed to transforming opportunities into tangible achievements and to making a meaningful contribution to my community and field. This scholarship would not just help me succeed, it would allow me to rise fully into my potential and give back in ways that matter.