“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” When Mark Twain wrote these words, he described a moment of clarity many people spend years searching for. For me, that moment came while sitting in a hospital waiting room as my dad underwent diaphragm repair surgery. Each update on the surgical board reminded me how much my family depended on the skill, compassion, and technology inside that operating room. In those uncertain hours, I witnessed firsthand how innovation and engineering can profoundly shape a family’s future. My dad’s surgeon, Dr. Mansi Shah, specializes in robotic-assisted procedures. Learning that advanced robotics could assist in such delicate surgery fascinated me. I began to see beyond the procedure itself and became curious about the systems, design, and engineering that made it possible. While the compassion shown to my family was unforgettable, I was equally inspired by the technology that enabled such precision and care. Watching my dad recover transformed fear into motivation. I realized that engineering has the power to improve lives not only through innovation, but by creating tools that empower others to care for people with dignity, empathy, and hope. Robotics had already become part of my life long before that experience. Growing up, I spent time building and programming LEGO robots, developing a passion for engineering and problem-solving. Today, I share that passion as an assistant robotics coach for the Thompson Scholar Lego Lions through their First LEGO League. In this role, I mentor younger students as they design, build, and program their own robots. This year, our team placed fifth in the state competition and qualified for the national competition in New Jersey. Coaching has strengthened my leadership and communication skills while teaching me that innovation is most meaningful when it inspires and empowers others. Seeing robotic technology used in my dad’s surgery brought my experiences full circle. The same principles I practice through robotics—precision, innovation, and persistence—are essential to advancing technologies that improve human lives. I plan to study engineering at Eastern Kentucky University, focusing on robotics and biomedical engineering. My goal is to contribute to the development of advanced technologies, such as robotic-assisted systems, that enhance outcomes in healthcare and other critical fields. I hope to design solutions that bridge innovation and human need, improving accessibility and quality of care for communities who need it most. Receiving the Carlo Burns Memorial scholarship would support me personally by affirming my commitment to using engineering to serve others. Financially, it would ease the burden of tuition and allow me to focus on my education, hands-on projects, and research opportunities that will prepare me for a career in engineering. Professionally, it would connect me with an organization whose mission—to improve the health of communities and care for those most vulnerable—aligns with my goal of designing technology that makes a meaningful impact. Through my education and future career, I hope to advance innovative solutions while ensuring that technology is used to serve people with dignity, compassion, and respect. By investing in my education, you are supporting a future engineer committed to combining innovation, service, and purpose to improve lives. Thank you, Madelyn Grace Smith