My educational journey has never been a straight line, but I believe that is what has made it meaningful. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education. I did not always know what I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful difference. For years, I found myself caught between politics and the automotive industry because my greatest passion has always been helping people. Eventually, I realized there is no better way to improve lives than by engineering practical solutions to real-world problems. Because I already had a background in automotive, I enrolled in trade school to become a certified automotive technician. I expected to learn about vehicles, but I also expected to find more women in the field. Instead, I entered an industry that was overwhelmingly male. Rather than allowing that to discourage me, it motivated me to become more confident in my abilities. I became the student who constantly asked questions, wanting to understand not only how something worked, but why. Whether I was learning about transmission bell housings, common BMW oil leaks, or why certain manufacturers develop the reputations they do, every lesson strengthened my curiosity. During my third month of trade school, I realized that many engineers design machines without ever experiencing what it is like to repair them. That moment completely changed my career path. I decided I wanted to become the engineer I wished existed as a technician—someone who designs with the people maintaining, repairing, and depending on those machines in mind. My greatest challenge came outside the classroom. Last year, I survived a sexual assault while continuing my education. It was the lowest point of my life, and healing often felt like something I had to do on my own. There were days I questioned everything, but I refused to let one chapter become the entire story of my life. I kept showing up because I knew my future was bigger than my circumstances. Receiving this scholarship would help remove financial barriers as I pursue my mechanical engineering degree, allowing me to focus on gaining the education needed to turn my ideas into reality. My goal is to design innovative vehicle technologies, alternative fuel systems, and machines that improve everyday life. Fifteen years from now, I hope I am remembered not only for the technology I create but for the people I inspire. I want to prove that a young Black woman from Queens can help shape the future of engineering and encourage others to believe they belong in spaces where they have historically been underrepresented. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: keep going. Every obstacle, opportunity, and lesson will be worth it.

As a child growing up in Queens, New York, I always knew I wanted to help people. For a long time, I thought that meant pursuing politics or social advocacy because I believed change started with legislation and public policy. As I got older, however, I realized there is another way to improve people's lives—one that is just as powerful and often more immediate. Engineering has the ability to solve real-world problems with practical, tangible solutions that people interact with every day. That realization led me to pursue automotive technology. During my third month of trade school, I learned that many engineers have never actually turned a wrench on the systems they design. From that moment forward, I knew I wanted to become the engineer I wished existed as a technician—someone who understands not only the mathematics and science behind a design but also what it means to repair, diagnose, and rely on that machine in the real world. I am a multiethnic Black woman from a low-income household, and my journey has not been without obstacles. I have navigated housing instability, financial hardship, and sexual violence while pursuing my education, often without the support system many students take for granted. Entering a male-dominated industry has presented its own challenges as well. Yet each obstacle has strengthened my resolve rather than diminished it. Every setback has reaffirmed my belief that my circumstances do not define my future. Since deciding to pursue engineering, I have intentionally sought experiences that would deepen my understanding of the automotive industry. As a certified automotive technician with experience in maintenance, collision repair, and automotive parts, I have learned how engineering decisions affect technicians, businesses, and consumers alike. I have educated customers about their vehicles, helped aspiring technicians build confidence, and created "Chrome Siren," a platform that reflects my commitment to making automotive education more approachable, particularly for women and underrepresented communities. My long-term goal is to engineer technologies that improve everyday life. I am fascinated by alternative fuels, multi-purpose vehicle technologies, advanced safety systems, and the possibility of designing engines that dramatically extend vehicle longevity. Because automobiles are central to modern society, even small engineering improvements can have a profound impact on millions of people. I want to create machines that are safer, more reliable, more sustainable, and easier to repair. Pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering will provide me with the technical foundation to transform those ideas into reality. More importantly, it will allow me to serve others in the way I have always envisioned—not simply by identifying problems, but by designing solutions. I hope my legacy will be defined not only by the technologies I create, but by the doors I open for those who come after me. If I can make engineering more accessible, inspire young women who have never seen themselves represented in this field, and leave the industry better than I found it, then I will have accomplished exactly what I set out to do.

As a child growing up in Queens, New York, I always knew I wanted to help people. For a long time, I thought that meant pursuing politics or social advocacy because I believed change started with legislation and public policy. As I got older, however, I realized there is another way to improve people's lives—one that is just as powerful and often more immediate. Engineering has the ability to solve real-world problems with practical, tangible solutions that people interact with every day. That realization led me to pursue automotive technology. During my third month of trade school, I learned that many engineers have never actually turned a wrench on the systems they design. From that moment forward, I knew I wanted to become the engineer I wished existed as a technician—someone who understands not only the mathematics and science behind a design but also what it means to repair, diagnose, and rely on that machine in the real world. I am a multiethnic Black woman from a low-income household, and my journey has not been without obstacles. I have navigated housing instability, financial hardship, and sexual violence while pursuing my education, often without the support system many students take for granted. Entering a male-dominated industry has presented its own challenges as well. Yet each obstacle has strengthened my resolve rather than diminished it. Every setback has reaffirmed my belief that my circumstances do not define my future. Since deciding to pursue engineering, I have intentionally sought experiences that would deepen my understanding of the automotive industry. As a certified automotive technician with experience in maintenance, collision repair, and automotive parts, I have learned how engineering decisions affect technicians, businesses, and consumers alike. I have educated customers about their vehicles, helped aspiring technicians build confidence, and created "Chrome Siren," a platform that reflects my commitment to making automotive education more approachable, particularly for women and underrepresented communities. My long-term goal is to engineer technologies that improve everyday life. I am fascinated by alternative fuels, multi-purpose vehicle technologies, advanced safety systems, and the possibility of designing engines that dramatically extend vehicle longevity. Because automobiles are central to modern society, even small engineering improvements can have a profound impact on millions of people. I want to create machines that are safer, more reliable, more sustainable, and easier to repair. Pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering will provide me with the technical foundation to transform those ideas into reality. More importantly, it will allow me to serve others in the way I have always envisioned—not simply by identifying problems, but by designing solutions. I hope my legacy will be defined not only by the technologies I create, but by the doors I open for those who come after me. If I can make engineering more accessible, inspire young women who have never seen themselves represented in this field, and leave the industry better than I found it, then I will have accomplished exactly what I set out to do.

I am a certified automotive technician with a background in automotive maintenance and collision repair/refinishing. During my third month of trade school, around January 2025, I made the decision to pursue mechanical engineering after realizing that many engineers design the systems technicians work on without ever having worked on those systems themselves. That realization changed the way I viewed my education and ultimately shaped my career goals. I wanted to become the type of engineer who understands both the calculations behind a design and the experience of the technician responsible for repairing it. Since making that decision, I have intentionally sought opportunities to gain relevant industry experience before entering engineering. Rather than viewing each job as simply employment, I have approached each one as an extension of my education. Most of this experience has come from working in automotive and industrial parts stores, where I have had the opportunity to interact with professional technicians, fleet managers, farmers, contractors, and everyday vehicle owners. Every customer interaction has taught me something new about how machines perform outside of a classroom or laboratory. Working in parts has given me valuable insight into the life cycle of vehicles and heavy equipment. I have learned which components most commonly fail on agricultural and construction machinery, including filters, cutting blades, bucket teeth, hydraulic cylinders and hoses, bearings, seals, and various attachments. I have also gained an understanding of which parts are easy to source, which are difficult to acquire, and how factors such as manufacturing capacity, supply chain disruptions, geographic demand, and equipment age affect availability. Watching customers weigh the cost of repairs against purchasing newer equipment has shown me how engineering decisions directly influence maintenance costs, reliability, and downtime. The experience has also introduced me to the relationship between engineering quality and consumer confidence. For example, many German vehicle enthusiasts specifically request Bosch aftermarket components because Bosch often manufactures the original equipment installed by the vehicle manufacturer. Likewise, NGK has earned a reputation across many automotive brands as a trusted spark plug manufacturer because of its consistent quality and performance. Observing these preferences has helped me appreciate that successful engineering extends beyond technical specifications; it builds trust through reliability, serviceability, and long-term performance. My goal is to become the kind of mechanical engineer who designs with technicians, manufacturers, and consumers in mind. I believe the best engineering solutions come from understanding how products are assembled, repaired, diagnosed, and ultimately used in the real world. By combining my hands-on technical background with a formal engineering education, I hope to develop machines that are innovative, practical, easier to maintain, and designed with the people who rely on them every day at the forefront of every decision.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of those issues where a single decision can change countless lives forever. Although I believe driving under the influence is a terrible decision, I do not believe that everyone who receives a DUI is inherently a bad person. Good people are capable of making poor choices, especially when alcohol impairs their judgment. However, understanding why someone made that decision should never excuse the potential consequences. Once someone chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired, they are not only risking their own life but also the lives of strangers, friends, and family members who never consented to that risk. From a moral standpoint, I believe every driver has a responsibility to prioritize the safety of others. Operating a vehicle is a privilege that requires sound judgment and self-awareness. Choosing to drive while intoxicated disregards that responsibility. The emotional consequences can be devastating. Families may lose loved ones, friends may carry lifelong grief, and even if no one is physically injured, the guilt of causing harm can follow a person for the rest of their life. A DUI affects far more people than the individual behind the wheel; it creates emotional, financial, and psychological burdens that ripple throughout entire communities. As a mechanical engineering student, I naturally think about prevention through design. While current technologies such as ignition interlock devices have helped reduce repeat offenses, I believe future vehicles could incorporate more advanced health-monitoring systems. For example, a steering wheel equipped with biometric sensors could monitor indicators such as body temperature, heart rate, skin conductivity, or other physiological signals that may suggest impairment or unsafe driving conditions. Rather than immediately preventing someone from driving, the system could first advise the driver that they may not be fit to operate the vehicle and recommend alternatives such as calling a rideshare service or contacting a trusted friend. As technology continues to evolve, engineering has the potential to make vehicles not only smarter but also more proactive in protecting human life. When addressing DUIs, I believe rehabilitation should be emphasized alongside appropriate consequences. A mild punishment that reinforces accountability, combined with alcohol education, counseling when necessary, and community service, can help individuals understand the gravity of their actions while reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses. Ultimately, the goal should not simply be to punish people but to prevent future tragedies. Through personal responsibility, education, and innovative engineering solutions, we can create safer roads while recognizing that one mistake does not have to define a person's entire life.

Being a woman of African, Caribbean, and Latino descent, I come from a long line of people who were never given the freedom to fully exist as themselves. My ancestors were punished for speaking their native languages, practicing their traditions, and passing down the knowledge that had sustained our families for generations. Their customs were labeled as savage, their intelligence was questioned, and their humanity was denied. They were told that because of the color of their skin, the texture of their hair, or the shape of their features, they were somehow less deserving of opportunity, respect, and education. Because of that history, education has always meant something much deeper to me than simply earning good grades or receiving a degree. It has never been about proving that I am worthy because my ancestors, my family, and I have always been worthy. Our value has never depended on a classroom, a diploma, or anyone else's approval. To me, education represents freedom. Education is the freedom to choose where I want to go in life instead of having my path decided for me. It is the freedom to speak confidently, to understand the world around me, and to advocate for myself and for others. It is the freedom to learn how to build, create, solve problems, and contribute something meaningful to my community. It means having the knowledge to make informed decisions about my future rather than being limited by the circumstances I was born into. Most importantly, education allows me to reconnect with my roots. It gives me the opportunity to rediscover the languages, traditions, histories, and knowledge that generations before me were forced to hide or abandon. Every lesson I learn feels like reclaiming something that was taken from my family long before I was born. Whether I am studying engineering, history, culture, or language, I see education as a way of honoring those who came before me by continuing the pursuit of knowledge they were once denied. For me, education is an act of remembrance, resistance, and liberation. It is a reminder that despite centuries of oppression, my community has always possessed intelligence, creativity, and resilience. Every step I take in my education is not only an investment in my own future but also a tribute to the generations who dreamed of opportunities they were never allowed to have. Through education, I am not becoming worthy—I am becoming free.