Lucas M Sein Wicked Essay Application Essay 11/7/2024 I'm a fan of Wicked because it brilliantly reimagines a familiar story in a way that humanizes complex characters and challenges perceptions of good and evil. The musical explores the backstory of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, turning her into a deeply relatable character with her own dreams, struggles, and moral dilemmas. This portrayal turns what could have been a one-dimensional villain into someone whose journey, motivations, and challenges resonate on a human level. Wicked also delves into themes of acceptance, friendship, and the impact of societal labels and expectations, all within a fantastical, immersive world filled with stunning music and impressive visuals. Songs like "Defying Gravity" capture moments of empowerment, self-discovery, and resilience, leaving a lasting emotional impact. The music, lyrics, and story work together to explore how individuals can be misunderstood, manipulated, and judged by society based on circumstances outside their control. Overall, Wicked’s mix of magical storytelling, compelling character arcs, and poignant themes makes it an unforgettable experience that invites viewers to reconsider the nature of good and evil and the importance of empathy and standing up for oneself, even when the world labels you as "wicked."

Having Puerto Rican-born parents has profoundly shaped my academic experience and influenced my ambitions. Growing up with parents who moved to a new country instilled in me a deep sense of resilience, adaptability, and appreciation for hard work. Witnessing their sacrifices and the challenges they faced navigating a new culture, language, and way of life has given me a firsthand understanding of what it means to persevere, which has driven my academic journey. My parents always emphasized the importance of education, seeing it as a pathway to better opportunities and stability. They encouraged me to embrace learning and work hard to create a future that allowed me to fulfill my potential. This motivation has translated into a strong drive to excel academically, pushing me to take on challenging coursework and consistently aim for excellence. Even when things have felt overwhelming, the values I inherited from my parents remind me that persistence is essential to success. Growing up in a bilingual and bicultural environment has also broadened my perspective and enriched my worldview, giving me a unique outlook that has informed my academic and career interests. In school, I felt the importance of representation and cultural understanding. I became aware of the ways certain perspectives were often underrepresented or misunderstood. This awareness has fueled my interest in fields where I can make a difference and contribute to positive change. My goal is to use the skills and knowledge I gain to uplift communities and promote inclusivity. My heritage and upbringing have particularly influenced my interest in construction management. I see this field as a way to create meaningful, lasting impacts on communities through infrastructure and development projects that reflect values of inclusivity, sustainability, and progress. Being aware of the challenges my parents faced as immigrants, I’m driven by a desire to build environments that support diverse communities and provide spaces where everyone feels they belong. This goal is tied to my heritage, as I seek to honor the resilience my parents demonstrated and contribute to society in a way that values both tradition and innovation. Ultimately, my background has taught me to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to work toward goals that honor both my heritage and my future. My academic and career ambitions are rooted in these great lessons, as I strive to make a positive impact and bring meaningful change to the world and communities around me.

I've faced several forms of adversity, but one of the most defining challenges has been growing up in a family where higher education wasn’t an established path. Being the first to attend college has meant navigating this journey without a roadmap from relatives who understand the process. I’ve had to learn how to balance my responsibilities, such as helping my family, working full and part-time jobs, and managing academic pressures, all while staying focused on my goal of earning a degree. The death of my grandfather from cancer was another pivotal moment that shaped my educational journey. His passing made me realize how precious time is and motivated me to pursue my education with even more dedication. It gave me a deeper sense of purpose, pushing me to work harder and not take this opportunity for granted. My passion for pursuing a degree in STEM, particularly in construction management, comes from a desire to be part of something that creates tangible change in the world. STEM fields are not only about understanding and solving complex problems; they’re about building the future, whether through technology, infrastructure, or innovative solutions. I’m drawn to the challenges and opportunities that STEM offers—how it combines creativity with logic and allows me to contribute to sustainable, impactful projects. Construction management, specifically, excites me because it lets me be at the intersection of leadership, engineering, and real-world problem-solving, making it a perfect fit for my skills and ambitions. Financially, pursuing higher education has been a challenge. Like many first-generation students, I face financial constraints, with limited family resources to support my academic goals. I’ve had to balance working to support myself while also focusing on my studies, which can sometimes be overwhelming. The cost of tuition, books, and living expenses add up quickly, and without financial assistance, achieving my degree would be much more difficult. Receiving this scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden and allow me to focus more on my studies rather than worrying about how to cover my expenses. It would also provide me with the freedom to explore additional educational opportunities, such as internships or certifications, that can help me build a strong foundation in my field. This support would bring me one step closer to achieving my long-term goal of becoming a leader in the construction management industry, and ultimately, creating a positive impact in my community.

Being the first in your family to obtain a college degree is a significant and transformative achievement. It represents more than just personal success; it symbolizes breaking generational barriers and creating a path for others to follow. For many first-generation college students, this accomplishment embodies the hard work, sacrifices, and perseverance of their family. It’s about honoring those who came before you, who may not have had the same opportunities, and paving the way for future generations. It can mean being a role model for younger siblings, cousins, or even members of your community, showing that higher education is not just a dream but an achievable reality. For me it means beating racial stereotypes and statistics based on people who come from low-income neighborhoods like mine. It means more than attending a school it means being a beacon of hope for your family. In my case, pursuing a degree in construction management is an intentional choice aligned with both my interests and the opportunities I see in the industry. Construction management is a dynamic field that combines leadership, problem-solving, and technical skills to oversee complex building projects. What excites me most about construction management is the ability to be at the forefront of turning designs into tangible structures, whether that’s a residential development, a commercial project, or an infrastructure endeavor. I find the balance between the practical, hands-on aspect of construction and the strategic, leadership role in managing teams, budgets, and timelines highly appealing. It also offers a broad range of career opportunities, from working with large construction firms to potentially starting my own business one day. As for my long-term goals, I envision myself becoming a leader in the construction industry, managing large-scale projects that have a lasting impact on communities. I aspire to not only excel professionally but also to promote sustainable and innovative building practices that contribute to environmental stewardship. Another significant long-term goal is to eventually establish my own construction management firm, where I can lead a team of professionals and offer mentorship to others entering the field. Additionally, I aim to give back to my community by creating educational or career opportunities for those interested in construction, particularly young people who may not initially see this path as accessible. Ultimately, obtaining a degree and pursuing a career in construction management is about growth—both personal and professional—and contributing to something bigger than myself, creating a legacy that extends beyond my own achievements.

My family had always been full of hard workers, laborers the type of people we call America's backbone, I grew up working since I was 13 my brother, father, uncle and grandfather used to do all types of labor, steelwork, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, construction and even electrical work. Naturally, I grew up learning these things as well but I quickly realized, I liked construction, My father worked for a construction company and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Even when I was young I loved building blocks and legos, The whole concept of building something from start to finish impressed me but it was the tight-knit work crews that drew me in more because it was always an environment I enjoyed being around, These guys worked but they had fun they were like brothers, It was crazy to me that people could have fun doing such hard work, which got me to doing research where I stumbled upon construction management, the idea you get to do construction work but be on the other end of it setting it up was something I knew I wanted to do instantly, I now find my self at Wentworth Institute of Technology the best construction management school in the state of Massachusetts pursuing a career in the field, I hope to make a change in the industry and make a name for me and my family for generations to come. Thank you for the opportunity to apply. Best, Lucas Sein