I will be attending the University of Kansas this fall, where I will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Theater Production. I think that my aspiration to learn more about these fields started when I was a sophomore in high school. I first noticed that I loved theater and the arts. I actually have been playing the violin since 6th grade, but theater wasn't something that I had opened myself up to. SO, sophomore year, I decided to join theater, but I didn't really want to pursue acting, singing or dancing. Instead, I liked doing things backstage. I've done things like build sets, stage manage, and running crew. After my first show which was 'The Color Purple', I knew that this was something that I had to stick with even after high school. My next step in finding what I was passionate about was when I joined my schools' robotics team. This was such a fun experience, and even more fun when we would compete and I had the chance to drive the robot. I knew that robotics and STEM was something that interested me because it was hands on and you get the chance to work in a group that has a different look and aspect on things. I truly believe that my final decision came from my senior year when I was in my theater class, and the guy who always meets with us for our Black Rep of KC came to our class and asked us what we were interested in, that involved theater. I said backstage work. But, I also love robotics. He then brought it to my attention that I could do both. He told me about a job that one of his friends works at. She works at Disney as an 'Imagineer'. 'Imagineers' work to build the mechanics of the rides and robots that perform for shows. Such as the Spider-Man that does flips from one building to another. I instantly texted my parents, after doing some research, and said that this is what I wanted to do. I also would love to help and and manage and/or produce or direct plays and musicals in my free time as well. I have changed my major before graduating high school at least 7 times, but this time, I know that due to these clubs and my favorite teachers introducing me to things, that I have them to thank for being the biggest influences on helping me to choose what I want to do next.

I give back with my time to the Black community by posting things that I believe will uplift the Black community on social media. I also like to wear articles of clothing that are made by small black businesses or that show that I am apart of the black community, and stand with them. Given the unique impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on black people, I have plans/ goals to put more money into our black communities by making sure that I buy locally, as well as support buisnesses, charities and schools. I have done so by making sure that when I eat out, that I am making sure that my money goes to a black owned restaurant. As well as if I am looking to purchase new clothing, that I am purchasing clothing and accessories from my friends who also have small black buisnesses, or a local black buisness.

A technology that inspires me is the technology of animatronics. I believe that the technology of animatronics can make the world a better place by making things such as helping the disabled get around, and help them with everyday duties. I believe this because my grandfather who has suffered a stroke is now unable to walk on his own. And he is unable to get around his and my grandmothers' house on his own. The technology of animatronics has allowed him to have mobility and independence again. My grandfather can now do simple tasks once again like showering, getting in bed, going up and down the stairs, as well as many other simple tasks. I believe that the technology of animatronics can make the world a better place because without animatronics, people all over the world who suffer from a disability wouldn't be able to live their lives with independence and a sense of normalcy. The technology of animatronics has inspired me to want to major in Mechanical Engineering once I start college, so that I can give back to communities that are in need of disability assistance. Aside from helping the disabled, I believe that the technology of animatronics is a very important technology, because it will also be essentially how things work in the near future. Animatronics will take over many jobs that are essentially too dangerous for humans to do, or that humans no longer are interested in working within that specific work force. Animatronics also will be how entertainment works, for example, how many rides and attractions are at Disney. I believe that the technology of animatronics can make the world a better place because they essentially are the future and how life will be made easier for humans.