For too long, society has become so immersed in technological advancements, failing to appreciate and protect the foundation that has made every progression and innovation possible: our planet. If we continue this destructive cycle, we can expect nothing more than the devastating consequences of a neglected Earth. Uncontainable pollution. Depleted resources. And inevitably, an environment unsuitable for human survival. As an aspiring environmental scientist, my biggest goal is to further education about our natural world and the importance of conservation as much as possible. This path may lead me to teach communities about the benefits of adopting eco-friendly habits, conduct research with other professionals to restore damaged ecosystems around the world, or even form plans for large corporations and government agencies that will minimize harmful effects to the environment. Beyond my dream career, I plan to use the knowledge and skills gained from my studies to grow and maintain a forest from degraded land that can eventually be used as a nonprofit nature center. I also wish to create multiple scholarships throughout my lifetime for passionate, environment-driven youth like myself. By increasing environmental awareness, I hope to inspire more people to get involved in current environmental issues and establish more sustainable living practices in America and abroad. By enhancing the level of collective action throughout our society- locally and globally, scientifically and politically- I believe we can undoubtedly reach an all-encompassing solution to Earth's environmental distress. For the sake of ourselves and future generations, we must learn from past and present mistakes, and continue to make persistent efforts to restore the health of our planet. It is my philosophy that by learning how to take better care of our natural world, we as people can better understand the value of life itself, a lesson that will surely live on forever.

My vision of high school had always been somewhat fantastical, an inevitable destiny that promised everything a teenager could want. Getting my first car, working at my first job. Forming new friendships and thrilling romances. Attending homecomings and parties and prom. Discovering my dream college and career path. And, most exciting of all, feeling one step closer to complete independence. But that vision never had the chance to become reality. Instead of joining my middle school friends at our local 9th grade center, I was thrust into the world of virtual, at-home education as a result of health safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did I have to navigate Texas Online Preparatory High School as a complete loner, but I also had to face the reality that everything related to school- every lecture from teachers and every conversation with peers, every announcement and assignment and outing- would now be computerized. This proved to be a major test of comfort, to say the least. Before, I had always been so accustomed to face-to-face interactions and physical schoolwork. At TOPS I had to adjust to less rigid schedules and more frequent screen time. And when I wasn’t typing away at my desk, I didn’t know what to do in my free time. Without the hustle and bustle of brick-and-mortar activities to occupy me, I began to realize I hardly knew myself. I had no hobbies, no passions, no aspirations… How would I see myself in the next year, or in 5 years, or in a decade? Just an average student? Thankfully, the courses and extracurriculars I took as well as the teachers and students I met during my first year of high school paved the way for my journey of self-exploration. In my Creative Writing class, I spent hours letting my imagination form elaborate storylines, spurring a newfound love for art, writing and reading. During Physical Education, my coach ignited my interest in exercise and nutrition by encouraging us to challenge our bodies as we try to become the healthiest versions of ourselves. And when I joined Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, I was introduced to a variety of life-changing skills, from practicing critical thinking in class discussions about worldwide issues to taking leadership action through community volunteering. This combination of new interactions and experiences has opened my eyes to the importance of community-based education and led me to discover my passion for bringing about communal environmental awareness in order to promote sustainability. It is my philosophy that by teaching the ways in which we can take care of the natural world, we can begin to understand the value of life itself, a lesson that will surely live on forever. Looking back, I have no regrets about my time in online school; while my high school experience has not looked anything like what I’d envisioned, I believe moving to TOPS played a crucial role in my mental, physical and emotional growth, and in a way, I have found my own unique version of independence. By letting go of the friends and the learning environment I’d grown up with, I gained an appreciation for online education as well as a better understanding of myself. Now I feel aligned with my purpose and, more importantly, I am able to welcome change into my life with open arms. I’ve found that I am absolutely capable of living beyond the scope of stereotypical high school dreams, and as I prepare for my next transition as a college newbie, I know I can do, learn and overcome anything I put my mind to.

In many ways, our world is on fire. Aside from recent wildfires and other natural disasters intensified by climate change, many of today's issues have been set ablaze by the destructive divide between older generations and youth. These differences in perception and opinion are only widened by the prevalence of age discrimination and stereotypical beliefs on both sides. As a young person stuck in the midst of it all, I am constantly faced with the burning question: “What can I do to help?” Similar to previous generations who have endured hardships like economic instability and civil rights issues, members of Gen Z like myself are now hampered with an excess of generational trauma that plagues our current state as well as the prospects of our future. On a geopolitical level, we are bombarded with and expected to follow the consumerist values of capitalism, which have continuously prioritized profit over many man-made problems within our planet, from pollution and natural resource exhaustion to rampant poverty and the ever-increasing wealth gap. However, in my attempts to explain to older adults my uncontrollable rage after seeing oceans clogged with plastic or forests demolished to make room for strip malls and highways, I am met with raised brows and upturned lips, expressions that can only mean, "Why?" Why care about an issue so accepted in today’s world? In addition, today's youth are often rushed to discover and pursue their life’s purpose as early as possible through impersonal jobs and careers, which has aided in the drastic increase of stress, anxiety and depression among young people. The severity of this societal pressure has even caused me to face my own “Why?” Why am I fighting for a cause that few others seem to care about? Why not pursue a more respectable profession with high projected growth and an admirable salary? But each and every time I am in doubt, I return to the understanding that none of the pivotal progressions and remarkable innovations we have today would be possible without our planet. Above all else, I aim to understand the interconnected systems of our natural world, live more sustainably, and increase public awareness of human impacts on the environment. This path may lead me to conduct research directly in different landscapes around the world, construct plans to help restore damaged ecosystems, or even enact legislative conservation policies in the future. No matter where I must travel in this journey, I wish to inspire people young and old who share my love for the world to follow their hearts as well. My philosophy is that by learning how to take care of our natural world, we as people can better understand the value of life itself. While older generations may view Gen Z as an overly sensitive generation spewing go-green nonsense, void of the hard work and commitment so prominently upheld back then, I see a generation, much like their own, making its best effort to not only persevere but also improve the state of the planet for years to come. However, although today's youth are making positive strides in various fields, we are not without our shortcomings. By refusing to work on "this mess"-whether that be economic, social, environmental, or political flaws- in a collaborative manner and placing generalized blame on the older generations for modern issues, resentment within young people has only furthered the hostile environment we are all facing now. In order to rise above this futile divide, we must learn from the mistakes of the past and make persistent efforts to avoid their recurrence. I, alongside millions of other teens and young adults, push forward because I am eager to see my efforts flourish and my dreams for a brighter future unfold. I am eager to leave a legacy that changes history, and to help raise a generation that can be proud of my own.

I aspire to be a woman who, above all else, pursues interests with love: love for the environment, love for community, love for growth, and love for self.