Curiosity has always been the driving force for my education from the very beginning. Before I ever entered a high school science class, I was at home learning from my mom, who earned her bachelor’s in chemical engineering. She homeschooled me through my middle school and freshman year, and those early years taught me far more than just biology or algebra. She showed me patience with difficult problems, taught me faith in my ability to master rigorous material, and ultimately instilled in me a love for learning that would guide my later educational experiences. Her early influence is what initially sparked my desire for a STEM degree in physics. As I transitioned into a public high school my sophomore year, science gradually became the place where everything connected and made logical sense to me. Physical Science strengthened my understanding of how matter and energy behaved, while physics offered a deeper look at the principles behind those processes. I’m especially drawn to physics because it blends structure with discovery and explains how the world works while challenging us to refine that understanding. My current aspiration is to earn my bachelor’s degree in physics or biophysics alongside completing prerequisites for optometry school, where I hope to later earn my PhD. The relationship between physics, optics, and vision is just so captivating to me, and optometry offers a path where I can use and connect those very relationships to help give back to my community. Improving someone’s ability to see isn’t just a scientific challenge; it’s a way to improve an individual’s daily life, and that combination of precision and tangible human impact is what propels me to pursue this scientific career. Although my science and math classes have always had a balanced mix of students, being a woman pursuing STEM has still shaped and deeply impacted my ambitions. I’ve learned how important it is for women to feel confident in professional and educational spaces, not just because they are underrepresented in many fields, but because their perspectives matter too. STEM fields benefit greatly from a broad range of diverse thinkers working together regardless of gender, and I want to contribute to that diversity through supporting spaces where women feel encouraged and respected. I’ve already seen firsthand how meaningful those environments can be. At the small insurance agency where I work part-time after school, our office is run entirely by women for a mostly farming clientele. They lead with patience, communication, and encouragement, creating a workplace where questions are welcomed, and effort is recognized. Watching them at work has shown me how powerful women's support for one another can be, and it has strengthened my desire to bring that same energy into scientific spaces. Whether I end up in a research lab, a clinic, or a university lecture hall, I want to help build communities where women feel empowered to contribute their ideas and input. Ultimately, I chose STEM because it allows me to combine curiosity with purpose. I want to use science to solve real problems, help people around me, and contribute to something larger than myself. As a woman entering physics and biophysics, I hope to make a difference not only through my work but also through the example I set, showing younger girls that they belong in these fields just as much as anyone else and are more than capable of doing hard things. The women who shaped my life gave me those first sparks of confidence and purpose. Now, I hope to carry those lessons forward and help open doors for others just as they opened doors for me.

Looking back, my academic journey has been deeply influenced by women who showed me what curiosity and perseverance look like in everyday life, the very first being my mom. Although she doesn’t work as a chemical engineer today, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and carried that love for math and science into our home. When she homeschooled me through middle school and my freshman year, she didn’t just teach me algebra; she taught me a desire to learn. She sat beside me through excruciating chemistry lessons my junior year, encouraging me to keep going even when I felt incapable. She taught me that difficult problems aren’t roadblocks but opportunities to grow. Those years with her built my early STEM foundation and sparked the curiosity that directed me toward physics today. Physics is where many things I’ve been taught come together: persistence, problem‑solving, and a fascination with how the world works. My current academic goal is to begin earning my bachelor’s degree in physics next year and continue developing my analytical skills to contribute to meaningful scientific work, particularly in applied physics and research where I can explore real‑world problems daily. I’m drawn to physics because it sits at the intersection of math and discovery. It asks big questions and demands careful thinking, and I want to be part of that field, especially where women are underrepresented but still deeply needed. I want to bring my voice and perspective into a workspace where diverse thinkers can push science forward and make positive impacts. Beyond the classroom, I’ve found a quiet inspiration in the women I work alongside every day. The women at our local Nielsen Insurance Agency have strengthened my commitment and drive in ways I didn’t expect. Our small office of four hardworking, supportive women has contributed to a space that feels both professional and uplifting. They encourage questions, celebrate effort, and handle challenges with grace. Watching and learning from them has shown me how powerful it is when women support one another. They’ve modeled leadership grounded in kindness and communication, reminding me that no matter what field I enter, I want to help build environments where women feel valued and supported. Receiving this scholarship would help me carry those lessons forward into the next stages of my education. It would help fund my university expenses and allow me to pursue my physics degree without constant pressure of financial strain, contributing both to essential academic costs and mental space to focus on my coursework and long‑term goals. As a woman entering a challenging field, financial support means not only freedom to invest in my studies but also in the career and future I’m building. With opportunities like this scholarship, I can continue pursuing physics while helping to create spaces where women’s voices and ideas thrive. Ultimately, the women who have encouraged me have shaped not only my goals but also my sense of purpose. My mom and the mentors I work with have cultivated my ambition, drive, and desire to make an impact on the world around me. They taught me to ask questions, work hard even when it’s difficult, and believe that my voice does matter. With their example behind me and opportunities like this scholarship ahead, I’m committed to pursuing my physics degree and using my education to contribute to something bigger than myself. I want to be part of the growing number of women who bring insight and creativity into STEM and hope to uplift others along the way just as these women have uplifted me.

My interest in STEM began long before I ever stepped into a high school classroom. My mom homeschooled me through middle school and my freshman year, and during that time she shared her love for chemistry and mathematics with me. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, and her passion for science shaped the way I learned from a young age. Instead of focusing on memorizing facts, she taught me that I was capable of doing hard things—like pushing through a difficult algebra course that I wanted to give up on more than once. With her encouragement, I finished it, and the effort paid off. When I later entered Colfax High School, those challenging early lessons made higher-level math classes far easier to understand and succeed in. Those early years gave me a strong foundation in math and science that continues to influence my education today. That foundation has also shaped my future goals. Although I am not yet certain which specific STEM field I want to pursue, I know I want a science-based career. I am especially drawn to analytical chemistry, engineering, and physics—fields that rely on mathematics, critical thinking, and curiosity about how the world works. What matters most to me is using science to help others and make a meaningful impact. While I do not have every step of my path mapped out, I am committed to developing the skills that will allow me to contribute to something bigger than myself. That same desire to learn extends beyond the classroom. One of my biggest hobbies is reading, and I enjoy books of all kinds, from science and nonfiction to fantasy and romance. Whether I am exploring new ideas or simply enjoying a good story, reading has always been a source of both learning and relaxation. That love of learning also carries into my academic life, where I hold myself to a high standard because I genuinely enjoy challenging myself and mastering new concepts. Balancing Running Start college courses with high school has strengthened my discipline, time-management skills, and ability to stay focused on long-term goals. While academics are important to me, I also value serving the people around me. I served as an usher for the Tapestry Women's Choir, where I supported community events and welcomed attendees. My commitment to service further extends to music. Choir has been one of the most rewarding parts of my high school experience, and I was honored to receive the Director's Choice Award for my dedication to the program. What made choir so meaningful to me was the sense of connection it created. As our voices blended together, I experienced how a group of individuals could create something far greater than any one person could achieve alone. It showed me that even an individual voice can become part of something extraordinary when combined with the talents and efforts of others. Because choir has had such a positive impact on my life, I plan to serve as a teaching assistant for my choir director, Ms. Bopp, during my senior year. I look forward to helping younger students grow while giving back to a program that has given so much to me. As I continue my education, I hope to bring together my love of science, my dedication to learning, and my desire to help others. Whether I ultimately pursue chemistry, physics, engineering, or another STEM field, I want to use my skills and knowledge to create solutions that improve people's lives and make a positive impact on the world around me.