I am grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful place. I was born and raised in Colorado, and naturally, due to being surrounded by all sorts of terrains and cultures, my passion for natural sciences has continued to grow every day. I'm specifically very focused on agricultural biology, my chosen field of study. When I'm not at school or work, I am either cooking a hearty meal for myself, making art, or doing something outside like hiking. I try to intertwine elements of nature into my art and everyday life, for instance, drawing colorful nature landscapes and crocheting decorative vines. I believe that agriculture is not only a scientific pursuit, but stems from a personal connection to the resources we use and the ground we live on. My passion for STEM has stemmed from a multitude of enriching experiences. As long as I can remember, I have loved hiking with my dad and exploring different places. Also, I've been attending and most recently volunteering at Tomahawk Ranch Girl Scout Camp in the summer. Having the experience of being outside from a young age contributed to and deepened my compassion for the planet and all the living things on it. Being lucky enough to return as a mentor to younger girls in environmental education and stewardship showed me that I see a future in natural sciences and a responsibility to pay my due diligence to the Earth. Junior year, I took a class in IB Environmental Systems and Societies and became invested in the class during the soil science unit, where we collected soil samples and analyzed their properties. My biggest takeaway from the class was that something so small and often thought of as insignificant like soil structure could actually impact plants and an ecosystem profoundly. I applied my knowledge over the summer, participating in my neighborhood's communal garden. I grew cherry tomatoes and would bring them home for meals, it felt great being able to provide for myself while supporting the cause of sustainability. These ambitions made it even clearer to me that I would like to make a change in the world and go into the science field. In studying agricultural biology, I plan on being part of a movement towards a more environmentally sound society by refining and popularizing sustainable agricultural technology worldwide. One mission I would like to pursue is developing the technology and coworking with policymakers to enforce the replacement of traditional tillage of land with controlled environment agriculture sites. Both humanitarian and environmental issues could be solved simultaneously through this. By utilizing vertical farms, biotechnology, and greenhouses, the soil profile of large land lots will not be disturbed, allowing more plants to grow naturally and biodiversity to increase. This is important on a broad scale due to the continuing issue of climate change. By protecting open space, uncultivated soil, and natural habitats, our planet is taken into account and cared for. Plus, local farmers, communities that suffer from food insecurity/malnutrition, and humans overall can benefit from sustainable agriculture. Healthier produce without pesticides or over-production can be allocated efficiently by popularizing local greenhouses. With a creative and opportunistic approach to the evolving agricultural climate, I am driven to make contributions to sustainability, while also supporting global food security and making global change starting from the ground up.

I will soon be pursuing a bachelor's degree in agricultural biology, and I've never been more excited. When thinking about what I wanted my future to look like, I knew I wanted to do something that would serve the planet. I grew up in the beautiful terrain of Colorado, so hiking, camping, and just being outside have always been a part of me. As a kid, I wanted to be a chef because I knew how good it feels to be fed and taken care of. I once believed that at a restaurant, the food was purchased, cooked, and put on plates. I didn't yet know how closely related culinary arts are to sustainability. Yet, upon further discovery in an IB Environmental Systems class during my junior year, my perspective was transformed. The unit and lab surrounding soil and the earth's many systems showed me that humanity's relationship with food is not so one-sided. In order for the land to provide for us, we must take care of it. This is why I started to follow the path of doing something in agriculture where I could be involved with both the industry of food resources as well as give my love to the environment. Upon further discovery, I became particularly passionate about sustainable agriculture and the different ways we can work harmoniously with the planet in order to yield crops while preserving our natural environment. Acting on this over the summer, I became part of the community greenhouse garden in my neighborhood where I planted cherry tomatoes that my family and I were able to use for dinner, which further sparked my love for agriculture. Controlled environment agriculture, in this case, is a method of growing crops that doesn't disturb our land's soil profile, ensuring sustainability. On a larger scale than my neighborhood's greenhouse, controlled environments such as hydroponics and vertical farms could be used anywhere. If technology like this would be a part of every commercial farm, rather than over tillage and lots of fuel-based equipment, then a lot of environmental issues can be solved, such as loss of biodiversity and arable soil. Thankfully, at the same time, the most nutritious and ethical produce is made available to us. Another reason that I have the drive and passion for agriculture is the positive influence sustainable agriculture can have on humans globally. Developing nations as well as marginalized communities in our own country can benefit from expanding more sustainable agriculture practices. For example, a case that I researched for my class was the biofortification of rice in Indonesia. By inserting daffodil genes, which increased the beta-carotene levels in the rice, a larger and more nutritious yield of rice was produced. Since rice is the most consumed food item worldwide, things like this can leave a great impact on Global Hunger Index for countries struggling with hunger. Looking to the future, I am very determined to make broad improvements in the world, starting with soil and farming. I plan on perfecting and implementing more modern agricultural technology such as biotechnology and greenhouses. I also plan on collaborating with policymakers to establish changes that will ensure fair, affordable, and efficient allocation of crops. These efforts will contribute to the solving of climate change and famine. By focusing on sustainable agriculture in my career, I hope to contribute to a future where farming is environmentally sound as well as beneficial to humans and ensured for communities across the world.

When I was in Girl Scouts as an elementary school student, my troop and I visited the FEMA headquarters near our school in Lakewood. I remember them telling us about renewable energy, and I recognized the windmills they discussed when I would go to Boulder. On the way there, I was fascinated by the sheer size of the windmills. Now, continuing my passion for sustainability, I understand how important they are and what these advancements mean for us, the humans on planet Earth. I have dreams for the future of the environment. We can use renewable and traditional energy to ensure sustainable solutions for humankind through innovation and then, implementation. Renewable energy can help the natural and industrial environment work hand-in-hand. Nature serves us by providing its resources, so in turn, we must work with it rather than over it. One innovation that I am knowledgeable about is synthetic photosynthesis. For my english capstone project, I spoke to personnel at CSU and was curious about new technology in the field that could improve the future of a sustainable world and environment. He told me about synthetic photosynthesis as a way of creating energy, without needing the cultivation of plants or land. Therefore it will benefit living organisms and store sunlight as energy in chemical bonds. As a source of renewable energy, in this case, carbon dioxide absorbtion will replace processes that emit CO2, which is a harmful greenhouse gas infiltrating the atmosphere. This is a great long-term idea, and will solve lots of environmental and agricultural problems. To explain, since synthetic photosynthesis is a direct and powerful method to reduce CO2 emissions while creating liquid fuel, humans and the environment can benefit simultaneously. We, as humans, can continue to manage society and fuel cars and factories. However, unlike coal and fossil fuels, synthetic photosynthesis ensures that global warming factors like greenhouse gases are limited. Preservation and restoration of our atmosphere and environment can resume and prosper. While the technology is new and still being researched, the solution is very promising and over time, will hopefully be implemented into agricultural practices. On the other hand, we can also improve the sustainability of traditional energy that is already implemented. The oil industry, for example, can be altered to be more sustainable through law and transformation. While oil rigging techniques are baseline non-sustainable, our country and world have heavily relied on them for a long time. Better planning of digging sites can help solve problems like water safety. Eliminating reserve pits will reduce harmful VOC emissions and the risk of leaks into drinkable groundwater. By making the industry slightly more environmentally sound, the environment can slowly recover while global politics change as well. This is another case of how the planet and the people on it can help each other and, in this instance, compromise. In the future, I hope to advocate for the remodeling and compromising of the modern world. As the climate changes, we must change as well. By improving traditional methods and bringing forth renewable solutions, the contemporary field of energy will serve humankind and the environment together, making the world a better place and ensuring a sustainable planet.

Everything is Romantic is for the "Angels", the people who have a thirst for life, the independent, unique souls; and is my absolute favorite song on brat. I started listening to the album this June when it came out, and for me, it shaped a new attitude and motivated me to be adventurous and passionate every day. "Fall in love again and again" became a strong motto that drives me to appreciate and romanticize everything in my life, including both the overlooked and the extravagant. To me, the lyrics create a scene of a woman living her life to the fullest, covered in tattoos from all the places she has been, going where she wants to and manifesting her next steps. She is successful, and even when life has it's low points, she stays true to herself and focuses on what she finds joy in. She is free. This woman embodies the song and represents everyone with a "brat" mindset. I even got to see a Charli XCX concert live at her show in Denver with my best friend. We both enjoyed the energetic and bright (green) atmosphere that she created for the fans. It was definitley an experience that I will remember forever! As she performed Everything is Romantic, the arena filled with starry lights and the devotion that flows throughout the song. Every time I remember this moment, I fall in love again and again.

Many may not know that the core of society is agriculture. Its branches extend into every part of our lives. The ground we walk on, the air we breathe, our experience at the grocery store, and the food on our tables are all things greatly impacted by agriculture. Often, small communities are fed through local farms and rely on the land to sustain their lives. However with an evolving modern environment, climate change can largely affect the stability and health of these reliant communities. I firmly believe that local issues like food insecurity, as well as broader global issues such as world hunger and the quality of air and land can be solved through sustainable farming. I could make a future impact going into the field of agriculture, as I plan on making controlled environment practices and biofortification the contemporary standard, replacing the mainstream, harmful ways like plowing and tillage. Controlled environment agriculture occurs in greenhouses, a smaller geographic scale than most commercial farms, and it reduces the overtillage of soil, which is what reduces pores in the soil composition, therefore making the land no longer suitable to grow healthy, abundant plants. This shift will leave a positive impact on communities in several ways. First of all, it will revolutionize the way humans treat the land by protecting natural soil. Not only is the environmental impact vast, but food security is ensured and local produce is guaranteed to communities. By filtering the climate and growth of plants within a controlled space, food is available year-round rather than seasonally. Lastly, in addition to these benefits, an increase in greenhouses, especially as local gardens, benefits community inclusion and participation. Families and individuals of all ages gain a learning and cooperation opportunity with communal, controlled gardens. My future impact will include evolving biofortification as a means of reducing global hunger. According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, hunger levels are ranked Serious in 36 countries. I predict this number to decline in coming years as I will ensure that biofortification makes its way through agriculture. My plan for utilizing the technology entails the production of a higher-yield, more nutritious rice breed. Rice is the most consumed food product world wide. A highly significant nutrient in rice is beta-carotene, which can be biofortified through implements of daffodil genes. By enhancing the nutritional profile of rice, more can be grown, and it will be more filling and nutritious for human consumption. Once this crop is transported, it will efficiently feed lots more people. I find great significance in these two agronomic techniques, as they foster a crucial balance of environmental, ecological, and communal benefits. Entering this field is important to me as I see agricultural advancement as the savior of both our planet and the people on it.

We, as humans, have a responsibility to serve our planet. It has served us long enough with its resources and room to live, and it's time we repay our debts. Since I was old enough to walk, I've always valued nature and spending time outside. Instead of Disney World trips, my parents would take me down to the creek by my house to collect rocks and get our feet wet. My upbringing fostered a deeply rooted passion for the outdoors and protecting the earth. As a young adult with a gas-fueled car, my own money to spend, and my own responsibilities, it is hard to live one hundred percent sustainably. However, due to my personal beliefs and love for the local Colorado environment that I live in, I feel that I owe something to the planet. Every day, I create a balance to entice me to do the things that will provide for the world around me while fulfilling my own lifestyle. For instance, thrifting. Over the past couple years I have narrowed down my closet to a select few outfits. I think that there is a surplus of clothing on the planet, we all have enough. By solely thrifting and donating my clothing to the thrift stores, I ensure that I can still buy the things I like while simultaneously being intentional with my sustainability footprint. I also withdrew beef and milk from my diet. I am allergic to milk, so that part is easy. Burgers are delicious, but it's a small sacrifice I make to help solve a much larger issue. It also helps to create that balance, as I am maintaining a healthy diet while committing to environmental stewardship. I know a lot about the carbon footprint of cows, and meat farms in general. Methane emissions are so harmful to the climate. I believe that making dietary choices is very important, as the agricultural industry works from the land to our tables. Sustainability in this sector of life is so significant due to the grand size and impact of the meat industry. Daily, simple choices like this are important because, well, look around. I live in Colorado, and never take my clear view of the mountains on the horizon for granted. I choose to be selfless in my mindset and choices when it comes to my beautiful home. I never take the food on my plate for granted. By just being grateful, in turn I am paying my part of the environmental debt, making a difference day by day, meal to meal, and purchase to purchase.