My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, a Hispanic woman who wants to pursue the science field. I was a very high-achieving high schooler with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, who performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, was a two-time State Champion at the NMAA State Choir Championship, and maintained a Superior Rating in all my Guitar Solo and Ensemble assessments by NMAA. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I love my home and state dearly. I enjoy singing, guitar, piano, reading, writing, and scientific research. I am a strong independent student, who has always been interested in STEM and fascinated by scientific accomplishments. Throughout my high school career, I discovered my knack for problem solving. This fostered my burning passion for Chemistry, an extraordinary subject that is always understanding and innovating new ways to benefit human life. I will be attending UNM in the Fall to study Chemistry, specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening illnesses, and disease through research. I have recently graduated near the top of my class, and I'm already eager to make a huge impact on the world around me. Advanced health problems plague communities everywhere, including mine. I have big plans to better every community, starting with furthering my education. I have an undying desire to study and understand a field that desperately needs more dedicated people. I don't want a college degree just to exploit others and become rich. I want to attend college to better humanity as a whole and assist others in finding answers to current, pre-existing and future health problems. My dream is to discover cures to cancer and related diseases, not only making them affordable and permanent, but available to all. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me. I firmly believe my purpose is to create a world where no one will experience a loss because of certain incurable illnesses. I will work harder than anyone to make a brighter future for generations to come.

My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I want to pursue the science field. I am a strong independent woman who has always been interested in STEM and fascinated by scientific accomplishments. I am currently a high school graduate, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I have performed in Carnegie Hall in New York, was a two-time State Champion at the NMAA State Choir Championship, and have maintained a Superior Rating in all my Guitar Solo and Ensemble assessments by NMAA. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I love my home and state dearly. I enjoy singing, guitar, and the most fascinating subject, science. Throughout my high school career, I discovered my knack for problem solving. This fostered my burning passion for Chemistry, an extraordinary study. With college just around the corner, I'm already eager to make an impact on the world around me. My career will mainly be geared towards helping others, specifically through disease and cancer research. I want to study and understand different forms of rare illnesses, usually in the form of cancers and diseases. I want to find more efficient ways to better prevent and cure these life-threatening issues. Harmful diseases and sicknesses can occur at any time, and this is a really scary reality for many. I can impact the amount of suffering in this world, by taking full advantage of my future. This is entirely possible by taking control of my life, and having the proper resources to take me there. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens by discovering affordable, permanent and accessible cures for everyone. I have big plans to better these communities, starting with furthering my education. I have an undying desire to study and understand a field that desperately needs more dedicated people. Unlike my school peers, I don't want to go to college just to be above others and become rich. I want to go to college to better humanity as a whole. I want to attend college so that I can assist others and find answers to current, pre-existing and future health problems. Advanced health issues plague communities everywhere. My dream is to discover cures to cancer and related diseases, by not only making them affordable and permanent, but available to all. Overall, I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me, and I feel the best way to do this is through Chemistry; a science that dives into the molecular structure of diseases to destroy them from the inside out. I have a strong desire to study and understand cancer and related diseases, because I have been personally affected by the harsh and unfair realities of cancer and disease. I want to create a future where nobody has to worry about these illnesses or losing a loved one to something incurable. I plan to find answers to advanced health problems, making a long lasting and positive impact for generations to come. I was meant to be here for a reason, and I firmly believe that my purpose is to leave this place better than I found it.

My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I want to pursue the science field. I am currently a high-achieving high school senior, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I love my home and state dearly. I enjoy singing, guitar, and most importantly, science. I am a very intelligent person, who can problem-solve anything. I will be graduating soon, at the top of my class, and I'm already eager to make an impact on the world around me. I want to be a scientist, specifically in bioscience and biotechnology. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening sicknesses, and disease through research. Everyone should have the ability to become what they want to be. As a woman in STEM, I can offer a new perspective in the science field. I plan to improve the amount of scientific research being done by my community, by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully understood. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I know that I am more than capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing and future problems. Studying different forms of rare sicknesses like cancer and disease can lead to smarter and quicker answers. I want to find more effective ways to prevent and cure these life-threatening problems. This is all possible by having a vast majority of smart and dedicated people, such as myself. Horrible disease and sickness can occur at any time, and is a really scary reality for many. I can impact the amount of suffering in this world. So I am taking advantage of my future by taking control of where I want my life to lead. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. I want to improve the quality of life for every human being on this planet, and I can start by going to college. Studying hard like I always have, proving to myself time and time again that I can conquer anything thrown my way. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit. I am so excited to pursue my STEM journey. A brighter future is closer than we are led to believe, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

I am passionate about my degree choices for many reasons. I will be graduating soon, and I'm already eager to make an impact by becoming a scientist. I have big plans to better my community, starting with furthering my education. I want to study Chemistry and possibly Biochemistry. I plan to earn a BS in one, possibly double majoring in both. Advanced health problems plague communities everywhere. I have a desire to study and understand cancer and other related diseases. By expanding my scientific knowledge, I can assist others and find answers to current, pre-existing and future problems. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me. I have always been a problem solver, fascinated by scientific accomplishments. As a woman interested in STEM, I offer a new perspective to the science world. Science and technology go hand in hand, especially in the medical field. Over the past few years, a relatively new advancement in science and technology has caught my eye. Still under development, this type of biotechnology has the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, traveling through the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it’s designed with one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells. Once free of these harmful cells, the formally compromised individual can return to a normal life. I can improve the quality of life for human beings, while simultaneously furthering this scientific endeavor. My entire career will be geared towards disease and cancer life-saving technology. Like I said, this extraordinary technology can be a more reliable treatment, compared to chemotherapy and radiation approaches; both of which are more temporary than permanent solutions. Not only do these older methods kill off most cells, good and bad, but it forcefully reduces the body's ability to fight its own battles. With the invention of new cancer and disease killing technology, these older answers can become outdated. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening illness and disease through research. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit in pursuing my STEM journey. I have a history with cancer, as both of my grandparents underwent extensive chemotherapy against it. Even with the latest technology, their lives were only slightly prolonged. I still painfully lost them, all that time and money seemingly wasted. I want to find a more permanent solution to these terminal health issues. My hope and dream is to make such terrifying realities obsolete. Nobody deserves to lose a loved one to something incurable. Communities everywhere should have no fear when it comes to their health. As soon as I’m able to further my education, I can fulfill my purpose of assisting others. Technology is the future of our world, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am graduating from Public Academy of Performing Arts, class of 2024. I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, was a two-time State Champion at the NMAA State Choir Championship, and have maintained a Superior Rating in all my Guitar Solo and Ensemble assessments by NMAA. My interests include guitar, singing, piano, hiking, writing, and above all, science. I am a strong independent woman who has always been interested in STEM and fascinated by scientific accomplishments. My sophomore year of high school is when I started to foster a relationship with a science teacher, Mr. Ramirez. After having really poor experiences with previous science teachers, pursuing a career in STEM was the last thing on my mind. I was optimistic about how I would continue with science, unsure and skeptical of what lay ahead. After only two weeks of school, I found that Mr. Ramirez was not only fun and charismatic, but inspiring and inclusive to all of his students. I admired how he always gave the most thorough and engaging lessons, on even the most boring of topics. I don't remember there ever being a dull moment in that classroom. By my second quarter of sophomore year, he became my favorite teacher. Out of every class in the whole school, I found the support and comfort within the walls of that classroom. My community became the students around me, who soon turned into friends. Chemistry became the strongest subject I knew, and I stopped dreading science altogether. My confidence grew, as did my thirst for knowledge. I would ask him questions after class about all sorts of things, and he never failed to give me a thought out answer. I got ahead in the class and started helping my peers in class with their classwork. I began to notice how much I genuinely enjoyed helping others. Between having an awesome science teacher and connecting with more of my classmates, my life took a drastic turn for the better. Learning about science fueled my fascination with the world around me. I passed all my science classes with flying colors, even raising the overall class average with my test scores. Without Mr. Ramirez as my science teacher, and a thriving community I became a part of, I don't think I would have ever considered a STEM career. He is so excited that I want to attend college to become a Chemist. Mr. Ramirez helped me alter my view on the science world, transforming my love for STEM into a burning passion for life. I will be attending UNM in the Fall to study Chemistry, specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening illnesses, and disease through research. I want to make a difference in the world around me by furthering these scientific endeavors. I plan to improve the scientific research being done by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully grasped. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I am capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing and future problems that affect human life as we know it. With a strong community at my side, I have nothing to fear. I firmly believe that Chemistry can change the future of our world for the better, and it is my honor to create a better tomorrow.

1.) My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I want to pursue the science field. I am currently a high-achieving high school senior, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I love my home and state dearly. I enjoy singing, guitar, and most importantly, science. I am a very intelligent person, who can problem-solve anything. I will be graduating soon, at the top of my class, and I'm already eager to make an impact on the world around me. I want to be a scientist, specifically in bioscience and biotechnology. Becoming a scientist in such an extraordinary field, motivates me to change the world. By furthering scientific endeavors, I imagine myself as the positive change this planet needs. I will be studying and understanding cancer, life-threatening illnesses, and disease through research. Everyone should have the ability to become what they want to be. As a woman in STEM, I can offer a new perspective in the science field. I plan to improve the amount of scientific research being done by my community, by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully understood. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I know that I am more than capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing and future problems. 2.) The biggest thing that excites me about STEM is creating and utilizing new technology that can heal others permanently. This new-age technology will be a more reliable treatment, compared to chemotherapy and radiation approaches; both of which are more temporary than permanent solutions. Not only do these older methods kill off most cells, good and bad, but it forcefully reduces the body's ability to fight its own battles. Over the past few years, a relatively new advancement in science and technology has caught my eye. Still under development, this type of biotechnology has the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, traveling through the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it’s designed with one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells. Once free of these harmful cells, the formally compromised individual can return to a normal life. I can improve the quality of life for human beings, while simultaneously furthering this scientific endeavor. My entire career will be geared towards disease and cancer life-saving technology. With the invention of new cancer and disease killing technology, these older answers can become outdated. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening illness and disease through research. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit in pursuing my STEM journey. Overall, I feel like I can really fix a huge world-wide issue. 3.) The greatest challenge I've ever faced was the death of both of my grandparents. Over the span of a year, both of my grandparents underwent extensive chemotherapy. They went through months of hair loss, loss of appetite, and were constantly in pain. Even with the latest technology, their lives were only slightly prolonged. I painfully lost them, all that time and money seemingly wasted. My dream is to become a scientist. I want to help people live healthier and happier lives. I wish to study cancer and disease. My plan is to find the cure to these lifelong problems, ending suffering in all areas. Everyone affected by incurable problems is suggested to try cures that don't fully cure anything. This angers me, and I can't keep standing by anymore. I want to find a cure that works, like they're supposed to. With the amount of scientific research and resources available, I am astounded that a permanent cure has yet to be discovered. Nobody deserves to go through the awful process of losing someone to something incurable. The only way I was able to get past the death of my grandparents was to think of ways I could have saved them. I used the thought of finding a cure to distract myself from how they met their untimely ends. That really got me thinking that I want to find a more permanent solution to these terminal health issues. My hope and dream is to make such terrifying realities obsolete. Nobody deserves to lose a loved one to something incurable. Everyone should have no fear when it comes to their health. Technology is the future of our world, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

I embodied a gritty mindset through many challenges throughout my life. The biggest thing I learned from them is to never stop investigating the world around you and always wonder how everything works. Asking questions made me discover my passion for STEM, leading me to pursue a higher education in Chemistry, and eventually a career in this field. Once you obtain a growth mindset of, “I can accomplish anything,” then there really is no limit to what you can achieve or how far you can go. I strive to use this advice to the fullest. I taught myself that asking questions and always being open to new ideas would lead to less closed doors in my life. I have always had a knack for answering questions and finding exceptional solutions to simple and complex problems. Asking my science teachers questions lead to conversations about cancer, causes and treatments alike that are being administered globally. My curiosity and growth mindset sparked my interest in a career in STEM. My vision for the future is to use Chemistry to abolish cancer and other life-threatening diseases. I have a strong desire to study and understand cancer and related diseases because I have been personally affected by the harsh and unfair reality of cancer. I want to create a future where no one has to worry about cancer and losing a loved one to incurable diseases. I plan to assist others and find answers to advanced health problems that plague communities everywhere. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me for generations to come. My sophomore year of high school is when I started to foster a relationship with a science teacher, Mr. Ramirez. After having really poor experiences with previous science teachers, pursuing a career in STEM was the last thing on my mind. I had heard that chemistry is one of the hardest subjects to learn, so I was optimistic about how I would continue with science. Not only was Mr. Ramirez fun and charismatic, but inspiring and inclusive to all his students. I don't remember there ever being a dull moment in that classroom. Chemistry became the strongest subject I knew, and I stopped dreading science altogether. Mr. Ramirez would tell me about new scientific discoveries, from new agricultural soil that could grow bigger vegetables, to particle accelerators that could power a whole city for years on end. I started helping my peers in class with classwork, and I noticed how much I genuinely enjoyed helping others. That's when I began to consider working in the science field after high school. Without Mr. Ramirez, I don't think I would have ever considered a STEM career. He altered my view on the science world, transforming my love for STEM into a burning passion for life. Just how my science teacher inspired me, I want to inspire others to never stop wondering about how to improve the world. Asking questions made me discover my passion for STEM, driving me to pursue a higher education in Chemistry. Once I took on this growth mindset of "I can accomplish anything" I began to achieve so much. From a 4.0 unweighted GPA to long lasting friendships, my high school experience has been quite pleasant. Asking my science teachers questions sparked my passion to study and understand cancer through research. My curiosity made me discover that I want to help people live healthier lives by finding cures to lifelong problems. I don't only want to become a scientist, but I want to save lives.

I have faced many challenges as a young woman in STEM. One interaction in particular that still comes to mind to this day, was almost the reason why I dropped the idea of having a career in science entirely. When I was in 7th grade, I had a science teacher who favored the boys over the girls in my biology class. I tried ignoring it at first, but it soon became apparent that I was not receiving the same attention or grades as my male peers. I was so excited and fascinated over the concept of genetics and how the human body worked, from complex organs down to the very atoms that make up our bodies entirely. It was extremely frustrating when I would be the first to raise my hand to answer the question and the boy next me was called on. Even when they answered incorrectly, they were still praised for trying, while the girls were never given a chance. I distinctly remember him asking the class to define 'the building blocks of life'. The classroom remained dead silent as I knew the answer. I waited for someone else to raise their hand up like mine. After being stared through like glass, I blurted out "CELLS!" which I believed to be the correct answer. My science teacher stood up and scolded me in front of everyone for not waiting patiently to be called upon. I felt embarrassed as I heard other kids laughing at me because I 'got in trouble'. I cried silently at my desk for the rest of the period. That middle school science teacher made me hate science. It wasn't until I moved schools that I found my passion for it again. I timidly signed up for another Biology class in high school, where my love for science was rediscovered and stronger than ever. I loved that class so much that I went on to take Chemistry. The following year I was one of the few to tackle Physics. At last, my senior year of high school has arrived. I'm currently taking Anatomy and Physiology, a new program at my school which places more emphasis on hands-on learning and experiences. I have had incredible science teachers that have challenged and allowed me to pursue STEM to my heart's content. These amazing teachers have made long-lasting impacts on how I view STEM, and I am so grateful for all the experiences they’ve facilitated. I didn't have a lot of free programs relating to the STEM field that were easily accessible to me until high school. During my sophomore and junior years of high school, my science teacher sent out emails containing information on free UNM STEM Lectures. Mr. Ramirez would invite us to attend these optional after school programs, where very experienced professors and scientists would give presentations on old and new scientific discoveries. Although I attended many of these captivating lectures, there is one in particular that stood out to me the most. It was a presentation given by Andrew P. Carlson, a neurosurgeon who was a key individual in discovering a 'brain tsunami' or the temporary shut down of a brain's electrical activity. They are the result of a trauma, aneurysm or stroke inflicted on the brain. His discoveries have found that ketamine can actually be used to lessen the damaging effects of strokes and aneurysms by giving the brain more time to recover, thus saving human lives. I witnessed this lecture my junior year, and that's when I really knew that I wanted to become a scientist. I was already interested in STEM, and this lecture confirmed my passion to join the field. Not only did I want to become a scientist, but I was inspired to save lives. Science became more than just mixing chemicals to make an explosion. It became a way for me to make my life more meaningful by dedicating myself to the vast and innovative world of STEM. Cancer is a disease that takes more lives every passing year. It comes in many forms, each one threatening and deadly to the human race. I wish to study and understand cancer and life-threatening illnesses through research. I want to help people live healthier and happier lives. I want to find the cure to these lifelong problems, ending suffering in the world as much as I can. I am more passionate about becoming a woman in STEM now more than ever.

I have faced many challenges as a young woman in STEM. One interaction in particular that still comes to mind to this day, was almost the reason why I dropped the idea of having a career in science entirely. When I was in 7th grade, I had a science teacher who favored the boys over the girls in my biology class. I tried ignoring it at first, but it soon became apparent that I was not receiving the same attention or grades as my male peers. I was so excited and fascinated over the concept of genetics and how the human body worked, from complex organs down to the very atoms that make up our bodies entirely. It was extremely frustrating when I would be the first to raise my hand to answer the question and the boy next me was called on. Even when they answered incorrectly, they were still praised for trying, while the girls were never given a chance. I distinctly remember him asking the class to define 'the building blocks of life'. The classroom remained dead silent as I knew the answer. I waited for someone else to raise their hand up like mine. After being stared through like glass, I blurted out "CELLS!" which I believed to be the correct answer. My science teacher stood up and scolded me in front of everyone for not waiting patiently to be called upon. I felt embarrassed as I heard other kids laughing at me because I 'got in trouble'. I cried silently at my desk for the rest of the period. That middle school science teacher made me hate science. It wasn't until I moved schools that I found my passion for it again. I timidly signed up for another Biology class in high school, where my love for science was rediscovered and stronger than ever. I loved that class so much that I went on to take Chemistry. The following year I was one of the few to tackle Physics. At last, my senior year of high school has arrived. I'm currently taking Anatomy and Physiology, a new program at my school which places more emphasis on hands-on learning and experiences. I have had incredible science teachers that have challenged and allowed me to pursue STEM to my heart's content. These amazing teachers have made long-lasting impacts on how I view STEM, and I am so grateful for all the experiences they’ve facilitated. I am interested in my career of choice for many reasons. I want to research Chemistry and Biochemistry. I plan to earn a BS in Chemistry, possibly double majoring in both. I will be graduating soon, and I'm already eager to make an impact by becoming a scientist. I have big plans to better the world, starting with furthering my education. I have a desire to study and understand cancer and other related diseases. Advanced health problems have been and continue to plague communities everywhere. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on everyone around me. Studying different forms of rare illnesses like cancer can lead to smarter and quicker answers. Horrible disease and sickness can occur at any time, a scary reality for many. I can impact the amount of suffering on this planet, by taking control of where I want my life to lead. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. I want to improve the quality of life for every human being on this planet, starting with going to college.

I am interested in my career of choice for many reasons. I want to research Chemistry and Biochemistry. I plan to earn a BS in Chemistry, possibly double majoring in both. I will be graduating soon, and I'm already eager to make an impact by becoming a scientist. I have big plans to better the world, starting with furthering my education. I have a desire to study and understand cancer and other related diseases. Advanced health problems have been and continue to plague communities everywhere. By expanding my scientific knowledge, I can assist others and find answers to current, pre-existing and future problems. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on everyone around me. I have always been a problem solver, fascinated by scientific accomplishments. As a woman interested in STEM, I will offer a new perspective to the science world. Over the past few years, a relatively new advancement in science and technology has caught my eye. Still under development, this type of technology has the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream and travel through the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it’s designed with one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells. Once free of these harmful cells, the formally compromised individual can return to a normal life. My entire career will be geared towards disease and cancer life-saving technology. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further scientific endeavors. Specifically the study and understanding of cancer and life-threatening illnesses through research. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. The only way I can achieve my dream is to earn scholarships. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit. Studying different forms of rare illnesses like cancer can lead to smarter and quicker answers. I want to find more effective ways to prevent and cure these life-threatening problems. Horrible disease and sickness can occur at any time, a scary reality for many. My dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. The only thing that will keep me from pursuing my STEM journey is money. I want to improve the quality of life for every human being on this planet, starting with going to college. I have a history with cancer, as both of my grandparents underwent extensive chemotherapy against it. Even with the latest technology, their lives were slightly prolonged. I painfully lost them, all that time and money seemingly wasted. I want to find more permanent solutions to these terminal health issues. My hope is to make such terrifying realities obsolete. Nobody deserves to lose a loved one to something incurable. People everywhere should have no fear when it comes to their health. As soon as I’m able to further my education, I can fulfill my purpose of assisting others. Technological advancements are the future of our world, and it is my honor to create a better tomorrow.

My vision for the future is to use Chemistry to abolish cancer and other life-threatening diseases. I have a strong desire to study and understand cancer and related diseases because I have been personally affected by the harsh and unfair reality of cancer. I want to create a future where no one has to worry about cancer and losing a loved one to incurable diseases. I plan to assist others and find answers to advanced health problems that plague communities everywhere. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me for generations to come. My sophomore year of high school is when I started to foster a relationship with a science teacher, Mr. Ramirez. After having really poor experiences with previous science teachers, pursuing a career in STEM was the last thing on my mind. I had heard that chemistry is one of the hardest subjects to learn, so I was optimistic about how I would continue with science. Not only was Mr. Ramirez fun and charismatic, but inspiring and inclusive to all his students. I don't remember there ever being a dull moment in that classroom. Chemistry became the strongest subject I knew, and I stopped dreading science altogether. I would ask him questions after class about all sorts of things and he never failed to give me a thought out answer. Mr. Ramirez would tell me about new scientific discoveries, from new agricultural soil that could grow bigger vegetables, to particle accelerators that could power a whole city for years on end. I started helping my peers in class with classwork, and I noticed how much I genuinely enjoyed helping others. That's when I began to consider working in the science field after high school. Without Mr. Ramirez, I don't think I would have ever considered a STEM career. He altered my view on the science world, transforming my love for STEM into a burning passion for life. I want to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals to always ask questions and have a growth mindset. Just how my science teacher inspired me, I want to inspire others to never stop wondering about how to improve the world. Asking questions made me discover my passion for STEM, driving me to pursue a higher education in Chemistry. Once I took on this growth mindset of "I can accomplish anything" I began to achieve so much. From a 4.0 unweighted GPA to long lasting friendships, my high school experience has been quite pleasant. This work ethic will continue to have long lasting effects in my life, and I have no doubt that anyone else who possesses a drive like mine will also achieve great things. Asking my science teachers questions sparked my passion to study and understand cancer through research. My curiosity made me discover that I want to help people live healthier lives by finding cures to lifelong problems. I don't only want to become a scientist, but I want to save lives.

If I were to name the next chapter of my life, it would have to be 'It's My Time'. Ever since I was young, I've yearned to become more independent. Being the type of person to always look forward, make wise decisions and have no regrets. It's a skill I have learned to master over my high school career. College is something I've been looking forward to for a very long time. The only way to make it through college is to have the foundation to get there. I have managed to maintain a spectacular high school transcript, one that I'm extremely proud of. I work so hard for my grades so they can help me have a real shot at success in life. Once I graduate, there will be nothing stopping me from achieving my passion. My dream is to become a scientist. I want to help people live healthier and happier lives. I wish to study cancer and disease. My plan is to find the cure to these lifelong problems, ending suffering in the area. Everyone affected by incurable problems is suggested to try cures that don't fully cure anything. This angers me, and I can't keep standing by anymore. I want to find a cure that works, like they're supposed to. With the amount of scientific research and resources available, I am astounded that a permanent cure has yet to be discovered. Nobody deserves to go through the awful process of losing to something incurable. As a woman interested in science and problem solving, I can't graduate fast enough. With school currently having control over my life, I can't wait until I can work on my own terms. I don't plan on kicking back either. I will spend every waking moment working on answers. There is no time to waste when human lives are at stake everyday. I have had family taken from me by these unforeseen forces, and enough is enough. The moment I leave high school, I will work towards my scientific goals. I'm already accepted to a top science university. Nothing stands in my way except time. I know it won't be easy, but I never give up. I have proved myself time and time again, that I am a strong and capable human being. I can't be certain of everything that lies ahead, but there's one thing I am sure of; it's my time to shine.

I have big plans to better my community, starting with furthering my education as a woman in STEM. I want to study biochemistry and biotechnology. I plan to earn a BS in one, possibly double majoring in both. Advanced health problems plague communities everywhere. I have a desire to study and understand cancer and other related diseases. By expanding my scientific knowledge, I can assist others and find answers to current, pre-existing and future problems. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me. I have always been a problem solver, fascinated by scientific accomplishments. As a woman interested in STEM, I offer a new perspective to the science world. Science and technology go hand in hand, especially in the medical field. Over the past few years, a relatively new advancement in science and technology has caught my eye. Still under development, this type of biotechnology has the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, traveling through the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it’s designed with one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells. Once free of these harmful cells, the formally compromised individual can return to a normal life. I can improve the quality of life for human beings, while simultaneously furthering this scientific endeavor. My entire career will be geared towards disease and cancer life-saving technology. Like I said, this extraordinary technology can be a more reliable treatment, compared to chemotherapy and radiation approaches; both of which are more temporary than permanent solutions. Not only do these older methods kill off most cells, good and bad, but it forcefully reduces the body's ability to fight its own battles. With the invention of new cancer and disease killing technology, these older answers can become outdated. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening illness and disease through research. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit in pursuing my STEM journey. I have a history with cancer, as both of my grandparents underwent extensive chemotherapy against it. Even with the latest technology, their lives were only slightly prolonged. I still painfully lost them, all that time and money seemingly wasted. I want to find a more permanent solution to these terminal health issues. My hope and dream is to make such terrifying realities obsolete. Nobody deserves to lose a loved one to something incurable. Communities everywhere should have no fear when it comes to their health. As soon as I’m able to further my education, I can fulfill my purpose of assisting others. Technology is the future of our world, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

I am passionate about my degree choices for many reasons. I will be graduating soon, and I'm already eager to make an impact by becoming a scientist, I can have big plans to better my community, starting with furthering my education. I want to study biochemistry and biotechnology. I plan to earn a BS in one, possibly double majoring in both. Advanced health problems plague communities everywhere. I have a desire to study and understand cancer and other related diseases. By expanding my scientific knowledge, I can assist others and find answers to current, pre-existing and future problems. I want to create a long lasting positive impact on the world around me. I have always been a problem solver, fascinated by scientific accomplishments. As a woman interested in STEM, I offer a new perspective to the science world. Science and technology go hand in hand, especially in the medical field. Over the past few years, a relatively new advancement in science and technology has caught my eye. Still under development, this type of biotechnology has the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, traveling through the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it’s designed with one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells. Once free of these harmful cells, the formally compromised individual can return to a normal life. I can improve the quality of life for human beings, while simultaneously furthering this scientific endeavor. My entire career will be geared towards disease and cancer life-saving technology. Like I said, this extraordinary technology can be a more reliable treatment, compared to chemotherapy and radiation approaches; both of which are more temporary than permanent solutions. Not only do these older methods kill off most cells, good and bad, but it forcefully reduces the body's ability to fight its own battles. With the invention of new cancer and disease killing technology, these older answers can become outdated. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening sicknesses, and disease through research. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit in pursuing my STEM journey. I have a history with cancer, as both of my grandparents underwent extensive chemotherapy against it. Even with the latest technology, their lives were only slightly prolonged. I still painfully lost them, all that time and money seemingly wasted. I want to find a more permanent solution to these terminal health issues. My hope and dream is to make such terrifying realities obsolete. Nobody deserves to lose a loved one to something incurable. Communities everywhere should have no fear when it comes to their health. As soon as I’m able to further my education, I can fulfill my purpose of assisting others. Technology is the future of our world, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I want to pursue the science field. I am currently a high-achieving high school senior, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I love my home and state dearly. I enjoy singing, guitar, and most importantly, science. I am a very intelligent person, who can problem-solve anything. I will be graduating soon, at the top of my class, and I'm already eager to make an impact on the world around me. I want to be a scientist, specifically in bioscience and biotechnology. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically, the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening sicknesses, and disease through research. Everyone should have the ability to become what they want to be. As a woman in STEM, I can offer a new perspective in the science field. I plan to improve the amount of scientific research being done by my community, by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully understood. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I know that I am more than capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing and future problems. Studying different forms of rare sicknesses like cancer and disease can lead to smarter and quicker answers. I want to find more effective ways to prevent and cure these life-threatening problems. This is all possible by having a vast majority of smart and dedicated people, such as myself. Horrible disease and sickness can occur at any time, and is a really scary reality for many. I can impact the amount of suffering in this world. So I am taking advantage of my future by taking control of where I want my life to lead. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. I want to improve the quality of life for every human being on this planet, and I can start by going to college. Studying hard like I always have, proving to myself time and time again that I can conquer anything thrown my way. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I know I will go places because of my determined and unwavering spirit. I am so excited to pursue my STEM journey. A brighter future is closer than we are led to believe, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

There is a relatively new technology that has been giving me hope for advanced technology use in the future. Although it is still under development, this technological discovery can be groundbreaking, and life-changing for many. Located at the University of New Mexico, they have been developing and testing an incredibly small type of nanotechnology. Having the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, it travels throughout the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it is designed to have only one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells, ultimately leaving the person free of harmful disease-carrying cells. The technology is so smart and advanced, that it leaves the normal functioning cells untouched. Once the nanotechnology is unable to find any more cancer-causing cells, it has to be surgically removed. However, future design plans for the tech to gradually disintegrate, exiting the body without further assistance. I'm inspired to pursue a career in science, technology and even biotechnology, especially after learning of this new type of Cancer Prevention Technology. This extraordinarily new technology can be a more reliable treatment, compared to chemotherapy and radiation approaches; both of which are more temporary than permanent solutions. Not only do these older methods kill off most cells, good and bad, but they forcefully reduce the body's ability to fight its own battles. With the invention of new cancer-killing nanotechnology, these older answers can become outdated, even obsolete. I lost both of my grandparents to cancer. My great grandmother to lung cancer in 2014, and my great grandfather to brain cancer in 2017. They were both in their late 70s and underwent extensive chemotherapy. Even with all that effort, it slightly prolonged their lives. If only there had been this kind of technology back then, they would still be here today. I firmly believe that technology is the future of our world. Nothing is stopping us from achieving a cancer-free world except time and money. The world would be a better place without cancer, and I hope to be around to see this technology firsthand one day. With the help of advanced technology and dedicated individuals, a cancer-free future isn't that far from becoming a reality.

I plan to make a positive impact on the world around me, through volunteering and non-profit community service. Every other weekend, me and my immediate family make a point to clean up the neighborhood. It all started when we cleaned the neighboring neighborhood with an organization once, but we loved the impact we made so much that it's become one of our unconscious activities. Instead of seeing these tasks as a chore, I see them as an opportunity to do something good. We do it out of the kindness of our hearts, as we enjoy going on nature walks daily. By implementing the same strategies we learned from other volunteers, we became more able to aid our community. Nobody likes coming back home to an uninviting neighborhood. So we forced that terrible thought away from becoming a reality. We wear plastic gloves, carry plastic bags, and usually collect at least three full trash bags. We spend two hours strolling up and down the blocks of Volterra Neighborhood, searching thoroughly for all kinds of leftover garbage. When we're done for the day, the streets and sidewalks turn into inviting spaces once more. I am able to walk down to the mailbox, two blocks away, without spotting any trash. My neighborhood has a variety of native wildlife, including coyotes, lizards, rabbits, and roadrunners. I can't imagine our nature walks without them. I love knowing that me and my family have made such an effective impact in this part of Albuquerque. Our neighbors have taken notice of these changes and have pitched in a few times. Our community has become so much stronger because we are all united for one common good. I truly love inspiring others and serving my community. If I can brighten up someone's day, I won't hesitate to make it happen. I have found that volunteering has strengthened my integrity, honesty, kindness, compassion, responsibility and all other skills needed for life. Knowing that my community actually notices and condemns my work motivates me to do even more. My love for volunteering will never cease, as long as I have a strong and loving community encompassing me. These continuous actions have been helping me maintain my health, both physically and mentally. Making a difference in the world around you doesn't have to be a daunting task. With just a little effort and care, everyone can return home to a safe and clean neighborhood.

Specific characters throughout the Stranger Things series show various forms of capability. If I were to choose any three characters to face a new supernatural threat, it would have to be the characters who have faced some of the most hardships practically every season. They are Jane Hopper (Eleven), Jim Hopper and Steve Harrington. Not only are these people strong and brave, but they've also exhibited incredibly admirable survival and conquering techniques. From season one to season four, each of the character's development and contributions lead to a more successful Hawkins. Starting off strong with Eleven, you can't go wrong with her incredible psychic power. Her psychokinetic and telepathic abilities will always come in handy. Every season offers a new challenge for our hero, and she strives to rescue her friends whom she considers family. No matter who or what the enemy is, she can usually find and fight off these otherworldly beings. As long as she has plenty of protection from the rest of the team, she is a force to be reckoned with. This is where Hopper and Steve come into play, as these guys are the main protectors throughout the entire show. Hopper displays his brute strength and firearm knowledge, especially in Season 2. He protects Eleven from all the demodogs, so she can properly close the large gate and save everyone. Not to mention he fought the Russians, was abducted by them, and eventually escaped back to Hawkins. Steve never gives up and never fails to fight hard until the very end. Season 1 is when he first displayed these feelings, taking a wooden bat decked out in nails and fighting against a full-grown demogorgon to protect Nancy and Jonathan. In Season 3, he won his first fistfight, which happened to be against a Russian soldier under Star Court Mall. He finally proved himself to be a worthy adversary to any foe. Also known as the 'babysitter', no matter how much trouble the kids get into, they manage to make it out due to Steve's tireless efforts. These guys don't play around when a threat is nearby. Between Hopper's fearless demeanor and Steve's fiery passion for victory, Eleven would be able to fight alongside these characters with ease. All three of these characters complement each other, and I firmly believe that they truly cannot fail in the long run. Steve believes in Eleven's power, having witnessed a fraction of her abilities firsthand. Hopper will stop at nothing to save his daughter, even if it means putting himself in harm's way. Although it is incredibly difficult to choose the most capable of Stranger Things characters, I firmly believe in my decisions. I trust Steve, Hopper and Eleven with all my Stranger Things filled heart, to save the world time and time again.

I am motivated to pursue higher education because I will be able to study and understand cancer, life-threatening illnesses, and other diseases through research. Everyone should be able to become what they want to be. As a woman in STEM, I can offer a new perspective in the science field. I plan to improve the amount of scientific research being done by my community, by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully understood. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I know that I am more than capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing, and future problems. I want to enter the science field, specifically in technology, biotechnology and biomedical fields of science. They are all connected and have significantly shaped an exciting new form of Cancer Prevention Technology. I was inspired to head towards the science career path, after learning of this new advanced invention. Located at the University of New Mexico, they have been developing and testing an incredibly small type of nanotechnology. It enters the body through the bloodstream, traveling throughout the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it is designed to have only one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells, ultimately leaving the person free of harmful disease-carrying cells. The technology is so smart and advanced, that it leaves the normal functioning cells untouched. Once the nanotechnology is unable to find any more cancer-causing cells, it has to be surgically removed. However, future designs plan for the tech to gradually disintegrate, exiting the body without further assistance. I am so intrigued by this line of work. With the invention of new cancer-killing nanotechnology, older forms of cancer prevention can become outdated and even obsolete. My career will be mainly geared towards helping others, specifically through disease and cancer prevention. I want to study and understand different forms of rare illnesses. I want to find more efficient ways to prevent and cure these life-threatening everyday problems. Harmful diseases and sicknesses can occur at any time, and this is a really scary reality for many. I can impact the amount of suffering in this world, by taking full advantage of my future. This is possible if I can take control of my life, having the proper resources to do so. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. I want to improve the quality of life for everyone. So as long as I can have a higher education, I will stop at nothing to change the science field for the better.

My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I am a strong independent woman, highly interested in STEM. I am currently a high-achieving high school senior, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I live in Albuquerque New Mexico, and I want to improve the science workforce in my community. I want to make a positive impact on the world around me, and I feel the best way to do this is through the study of advanced sciences. Specifically, I am extremely passionate about bioscience and biotechnology. I am capable of furthering the scientific endeavor, as I am a very intelligent person who can problem-solve just about anything. I use my time wisely, I take school seriously and I want to use my career to serve others. My career will be mainly geared towards helping others, specifically through disease and cancer prevention. I want to study and understand different forms of rare sicknesses, like cancers and diseases. I want to find more efficient ways to better prevent and cure these life-threatening everyday problems. Harmful diseases and sicknesses can occur at any time, and this is a really scary reality for many. I can impact the amount of suffering in this world, by taking full advantage of my future. This is possible if I can take control of my life, and have the proper resources to take me there. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. I want to improve the quality of life for everyone. There is a relatively new type of science and technology, that has been catching my eye these past few years. Although it is still under development, this technological discovery can be groundbreaking, and life-changing for many. This small type of nanotechnology has the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, traveling through the circulatory system and causing no harm to the individual. It is designed to have only one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells, ultimately leaving the person free of harmful disease-carrying cells. The technology is so smart and advanced, that it leaves the normal functioning cells untouched. After learning of this new type of Cancer Prevention Technology, I'm eager to make a positive impact on the world around me. So there's no better way than becoming a scientist. Bioscience and biotechnology have been advancing at a high rate, and there needs to be more women in this fast-paced working environment. As a woman in STEM, I can offer a new and focused perspective in the science field. I plan to improve the amount of scientific research being done by my community, by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully understood. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I know that I am more than capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing and future issues. After everything the people in this world have been through, they all deserve fewer things to worry about. Knowing that I can make that happen motivates me even more.

My name is Madeline Smith-VanWinkle, and I want to pursue the science field. I am currently a high-achieving high school senior, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I live in Albuquerque New Mexico, and I love my home and state dearly. I enjoy singing, guitar, English and most importantly, Science. I know the value of education and just how important it is that I take these years seriously. I am a very intelligent person, who can problem-solve just about anything. I will be graduating soon, at the top of my class, and I'm already eager to make an impact on the world around me. I want to be a scientist, specifically in bioscience and biotechnology. I believe that the best way to change the world is to further more scientific endeavors. Specifically the study and understanding of cancer, life-threatening sicknesses, and disease through research. Everyone should have the ability to become what they want to be. As a woman in STEM, I can offer a new perspective in the science field. I plan to improve the amount of scientific research being done by my community, by exploring more areas that have yet to be fully understood. I want to expand my scientific knowledge so I can assist others and go beyond that. I know that I am more than capable of finding solutions to current, pre-existing and future problems. Studying different forms of rare sicknesses like cancers and diseases, can lead to smarter and quicker answers. I want to find ways to better prevent and cure these life-threatening problems. This is all possible by having a vast majority of smart and dedicated people, such as myself. Harmful diseases and sicknesses can occur at any time, and it can be a really scary reality. I can impact the amount of suffering in this world. So I am taking advantage of my future, by taking control of where I want my life to lead. My hope and dream is to rid this world of these cruel, unfair burdens. I want to improve the quality of life for every living being on this planet, and I can start by going to college. Studying hard like I always have, receiving outstanding grades and proving myself time and time again. I always take advantage of my resources, and I'm determined to fulfill my purpose. I will go places because I stay motivated and determined throughout the journey. A brighter future is closer than we are led to believe, and it is my honor to help create a better tomorrow.

There is a relatively new technology that has been giving me hope for advanced technology use in the future. Although it is still under development, this technological discovery can be groundbreaking, and life-changing for many. Located at the University of New Mexico, they have been developing and testing an incredibly small type of nanotechnology. Having the ability to enter the body through the bloodstream, it travels throughout the circulatory system. Causing no harm to the individual, it is designed to have only one purpose; to target and kill specific cancer-causing cells, ultimately leaving the person free of harmful disease-carrying cells. The technology is so smart and advanced, that it leaves the normal functioning cells untouched. Once the nanotechnology is unable to find any more cancer-causing cells, it has to be surgically removed. However, future design plans for the tech to gradually disintegrate, exiting the body without further assistance. I'm inspired to pursue a career in science, technology and even biotechnology, especially after learning of this new type of Cancer Prevention Technology. This extraordinarily new technology can be a more reliable treatment, compared to chemotherapy and radiation approaches; both of which are more temporary than permanent solutions. Not only do these older methods kill off most cells, good and bad, but it forcefully reduces the body's ability to fight its own battles. With the invention of new cancer-killing nanotechnology, these older answers can become outdated, even obsolete. I lost both of my grandparents to cancer. My great grandmother to lung cancer in 2014, and my great grandfather to brain cancer in 2017. They were both in their late 70s and underwent extensive chemotherapy. Even with all that effort, it slightly prolonged their lives. If only there had been this kind of technology back then, they would still be here today. I firmly believe that technology is the future of our world. Nothing is stopping us from achieving a cancer-free world except time and money. The world would be a better place without cancer, and I hope to be around to see this technology firsthand one day. With the help of advanced technology and dedicated individuals, a cancer-free future isn't that far from becoming a reality.