Zig Ziggler once said, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” As an aspiring leader in a STEM centered field, Ziggler’s quote inspires my approach to leadership and my career. My incredible parents have taught me the value of work ethic and drive. They have formed me into an ambitious and driven person, always looking for ways to improve my own life and every organization I am a part of. Throughout high school, I have been a member in band, track and tennis, and an officer in our National Honor Society, FFA, Student Council, Speech and Debate, Theater, and Class Office. These experiences have given me countless opportunities to practice problem-solving, community service, and leadership. Just a few examples include our Student Council’s $16,000 wildfire fundraiser, an extracurricular banquet I organized for Freshman Orientation, and the many competitions I did in FFA. Most of all, though, they taught me that people are most motivated when they feel appreciated. High School taught me to seek the fullest potential everyone around me, and to pursue that potential with compassion. Furthermore, these opportunities have led me to desire a future of problem solving and leadership that inspires others to improve the world around them. My goal in the coming years is to earn a degree in chemical engineering with a double minor in petroleum engineering and materials sciences. I plan to participate in research and leadership organizations throughout college to prepare for future success and hopefully obtain an internship with a major oil and gas company. My ultimate dream is to create materials and systems that reduce risks for workers in petroleum drilling and refining. My long term goal is to become a leader in the field and begin managing people to execute impactful projects. Our community is built around the oil and gas industry, and the associated risks are evident. From the blacked trees to the crude terminal’s daily countdown since the last injury, our town is made aware of the need for better safety systems. I hope to use the skills I build on throughout college to make a difference in communities such as my own by improving the most hazardous mechanisms. The more time I put into research, community service, internships, and leadership, the closer I will get to achieving my dreams. However, I must work as much as necessary to provide for myself in order to give my all to my studies. This scholarship directly relates to 50+ hours that I can spend on furthering my education rather than working a job unrelated to my career field. That is enough time to begin life changing research with leaders in the field of chemical and materials engineering. It is potentially the difference between taking an incredible summer internship in Houston and having to stay back due to financial concerns. No matter what, it will have a clear impact on my ability to hit the ground running once I graduate from college, so that I can get on the path for leadership as soon as possible. WTHS has given me the opportunities to become a leader and aspire progress in a critical field. Now, I hope to refine those skills in college, seize every opportunity that comes my way, and become a leader that shows others how much I care, so that they can trust my knowledge and drive to make a difference. I know that with the right resources, I can impact safety in our community and so many others, and I hope you will aid me in doing so.