As a child, I was immersed in the expansive Wizard of Oz universe. In my elementary school's fifth-grade play, I portrayed the mayor of Munchkinland and delivered a seemingly celebratory line: "Let the joyous news be spread, the wicked witch at last is dead!" To an unknowing audience, this proclamation appeared entirely justified. After all, who would mourn the death of someone so despicable? However, the movie Wicked turns this concept upside-down, prompting us to question what the citizens of Oz were truly celebrating through a beautiful story. Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, a girl born from an affair, which was as scandalous as her green skin. Elphaba faced many hardships, including the death of her mother during the birth of her younger sister. Her father unfairly blamed her for her sister's need for a wheelchair, believing it was because Elphaba was born prematurely. While her unusual skin tone and tumultuous home life were not her choice, her father criticized her for these problems. I sympathize with Elphaba for blaming herself for the misfortunes around her. My parents divorced when I was just one year old, and my father married again during middle school and subsequently had a daughter. I have blamed myself for my father’s selfish life choices and have felt isolated and struggled with my self-image for years. When Elphaba first fantasizes about meeting the Wizard of Oz, she hopes her skin color will change to a more "usual" hue. I can relate to this because, for much of my childhood, I was the shortest child in my class, which often made me a target for jokes and bullying. While I grew to an average height in high school, I remember wishing to be taller. Occasionally, I regretfully acted mean to others because of how I was treated. While I now recognize my fault, I can understand why Elphaba snapped at others in her life. Elphaba's enchanting gift transformed her life. Madame Morrible personally took Elphaba in, releasing her from the burden of caring for her sister. She gained confidence in her power, viewing it as a positive quirk rather than a curse. When she finally met the Wizard, she told him she wanted to keep her skin color, even though he offered to change it. Everyone should feel comfortable in their skin. Elphaba's exaggerated skin color only exacerbates the reactions of people who would likely distance themselves from those who are different, albeit in a more concealed manner. One notable line was when Fiyero, a laid-back transfer student at Elphaba's university, remarked on her bold dancing by expressing, "Say what you want about her, she doesn't care about what anyone else thinks." She demonstrated vulnerability and disregard for the bewildered stares as she performed alone. I admire her confidence in revealing herself in front of so many individuals, especially those who used to avoid her whenever they saw her coming their way. The best part was when Glinda, a rich girl who was forced to room with her, overcame her initial disgust towards Elphaba and joined her in dancing, finally seeding the ground for a bond between the two. The tagline on Wicked's movie poster states, "Everyone deserves the chance to fly." This conveys the idea that regardless of one's circumstances, it is possible to dream big. Elphaba's journey illustrates that appearance does not define one’s true character. Although differences may be viewed as weaknesses by some, Wicked made me recognize that there was always an opportunity for recognition and acceptance, a masterful story that will persevere through the ages.

For several years, I have experienced challenges in my personal life. When I was only a year old, my parents divorced, resulting in alternating weekends with each parent and varied weekdays. Navigating between their houses has rarely been without stress. My mom has provided significant support in my upbringing, while my dad has remarried. I do not want to speak of a wicked stepmother or anything like that, but I acknowledge that their divorce has been challenging, and I am gradually finding my way through it. In recent years, my confidence has grown considerably. My mom has played a pivotal role in my accomplishments, encouraging me to excel in school and explore new opportunities. She introduced me to community litter cleanups, took me on trips abroad, including annual visits to my grandparents in Japan, and fostered my interest in science and math. Over time, I began seeking out opportunities independently. I now organize monthly litter cleanup events in my community and host Science Club gatherings at my mom’s home. Even my mom was surprised when I successfully ran for vice president of the ninth-grade student government. Through these leadership roles, I have developed effective communication skills, and some even say I have a good “podcast voice.” The challenges I have faced have increased my empathy and taught me how to handle difficult situations constructively. I strive to resolve miscommunications positively. For example, when a classmate poured water on me during a photo shoot as a joke, I calmly explained how it made me feel, which helped him learn to manage his behavior. My compassion extends to nature as well. After visiting El Biomuseo in Panama, which highlighted extinct and endangered species, I became more aware of environmental issues. My monthly community cleanup events aim to address this. Helping others has also benefited me. Born on September 11, 2007, I have witnessed my mom struggle with PTSD from that day, often crying on my birthday. I suggested she visit the 9/11 Memorial with me, which assisted her in confronting her trauma and seeking help. Just as my mom has supported me, I wanted to assist her when needed. I also support my friends; for instance, I stood by a childhood friend who came out as gay and helped a classmate struggling with grades and parental expectations by offering support and reassurances. These experiences have shown me the importance of changing perspectives in addressing problems, particularly in uncontrollable situations. I now better understand and respond to others’ needs. As I prepare for college, I see it as the next step in my education and plan to continue regardless of what life throws at me. Through resilience and teamwork, I have developed a strategy to move forward. My formative years have shaped my values and direction, instilling in me the strength to tackle challenges and the curiosity to seek new opportunities. I am ready to embark on this journey, prepared to thrive in college and beyond.

The United Kingdom plans to stop selling new gasoline and diesel cars by 2030; California, 2035. In today’s world, with rising demand and technological advancements, we need efficient and sustainable ways to generate electricity. Fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum are finite, and I have been keen on exploring and discovering alternative means of producing electricity for some time. On one of my annual trips to Japan, I visited a peach orchard near the inactive Fukushima nuclear plant with my uncle. I was deeply touched by the stories of local farmers, who were still struggling to recover from the disaster. Though nuclear power appears promising, it could lay the groundwork for another catastrophe like those of Fukushima or Chernobyl. These experiences have fueled my passion for finding safer and more sustainable energy solutions. My parents have been divorced for almost my entire life. I have been driven back and forth between their homes, which rarely places me in a relaxed, stress-free environment. My mom has supported me and played a crucial role in my upbringing, while my dad has remarried. I do not want to speak of a wicked stepmother or anything like that, but I acknowledge that their divorce has been challenging, and I am gradually navigating my way through it. The struggles I have faced have made me more empathetic and taught me how to handle difficult situations constructively and care for others. When a classmate poured water on me during a photo shoot as a joke, I calmly explained how it made me feel. He later shared that my kind words helped him learn to restrain his explosive behavior. I also stand by my friends; when a childhood friend came out as gay, I remained steadfast by their side. Similarly, when another classmate revealed their struggles with grades and parental expectations, I helped them prioritize and offered reassurances. These experiences have shown me that the first step in addressing a problem is a change in perspective, particularly in uncontrollable situations. I now understand and respond to others’ needs better. Throughout my tumultuous family life and educational challenges, I have garnered valuable insights into identity, perseverance, and shared humanity. Empathy involves mutual understanding; my compassion has shown that kindness sets the course for collaboration, innovation, and effective problem-solving. My compassion extends to nature as well. After visiting El Biomuseo in Panama, which highlighted extinct and endangered species, I became more aware of human negligence toward our environment. Understanding the pain of being slighted by others, I hold compassion for the animals we hurt. I have decided to dedicate myself to environmental protection. I now organize monthly community litter cleanup events aimed at raising environmental awareness, enhancing our coastal town parks, and preventing marine pollution. Over the past three years, these events have successfully diverted 3,800 pounds of waste away from the ocean, saving wildlife. Safe and sustainable energy alternatives are essential worldwide. I plan to apply my engineering skills and work alongside specialists in physics, computer science, and various fields to create innovative energy solutions. Although I considered different STEM studies, I picked electrical engineering because of our increasing need to power electric vehicles and devices and the vital expertise the major offers in energy production. My ambition is to make our planet cleaner and more sustainable through solutions that benefit everyone.

For several years, I have felt adrift in a personal “Bermuda Triangle.” When I was only a year old, my parents divorced, and since then, I have had to maneuver between my mom, my dad, and life’s pressures. I alternate weekends with my parents, while weekdays vary depending on the week. Sailing back and forth between their homes rarely places me in calm, stressless waters. My mom has supported me and played a crucial role in my upbringing, while my dad has remarried. I do not want to speak of a wicked stepmother or anything like that, but I acknowledge that their divorce has been challenging, and I am gradually navigating my way through it. In recent years, my confidence has grown significantly. My mom has been pivotal to my accomplishments, consistently encouraging me to excel in school and step out of my comfort zone. Her unwavering support has been invaluable. She introduced me to community litter cleanups, took me on trips abroad, including annual visits to my grandparents in Japan, and nurtured my love for science and math. Eventually, I began seeking out opportunities independently. I now organize monthly litter cleanup events in my community and host Science Club gatherings at my mom’s home. Even my mom was surprised when I successfully ran for vice president of the ninth-grade student government. Through these leadership roles, I have developed effective communication skills, and some even say I have a good “podcast voice.” The struggles I have faced have made me more empathetic and taught me how to handle difficult situations constructively. Miscommunications can be painful, so I strive to resolve them positively. When a classmate poured water on me during a photo shoot as a joke, I calmly explained how it made me feel. He later shared that my kind words helped him learn to restrain his explosive behavior. My compassion extends to nature as well. After visiting El Biomuseo in Panama, which highlighted extinct and endangered species, I became more aware of human negligence toward our environment. My monthly community cleanup events aim to address this issue. Helping others has, in turn, benefited me. Born on September 11, 2007, six years after the New York City terrorist attacks, I have witnessed my mom struggle with PTSD from that day, often crying on my birthday. I suggested she visit the 9/11 Memorial with me, which aided her in confronting her trauma and ultimately seeking out help. I also stand by my friends; when a childhood friend came out as gay, I remained steadfast by his side. Similarly, when a classmate revealed her struggles with grades and parental expectations, I helped her prioritize and offered reassurances. These experiences have shown me that the first step in addressing a problem is a change in perspective, particularly in uncontrollable situations. I now understand and respond to others’ needs better. Throughout my tumultuous family life, I have garnered valuable insights into identity, perseverance, and shared humanity. Empathy involves mutual understanding; my compassion has shown that kindness sets the course for collaboration, innovation, and effective problem-solving. In today’s interconnected world, both online and geopolitically, I aspire to chart my path and see it through, regardless of what life throws at me. As I prepare to leave the “Bermuda Triangle” phase of my life, I view college as an incredible step ahead. Through resilience and mastery of teamwork, I have developed a strategy to move forward before becoming another lost legend. My formative years have profoundly shaped my values and direction, instilling in me the strength to tackle challenges and the curiosity to seek new opportunities.

Nothing frustrates me more than seeing people toss their trash out the car window onto the road. Whether it's empty liquor bottles, fast food wrappers, cigarette butts, or soda cans, they discard whatever they please, seemingly without a second thought. Living near the coast, I have seen firsthand the effects of pollution and litter on marine life. Plastic bags drift in rivers, debris washes on the beach after storms, and fishing nets ensnare animals. Ocean pollution has significant global consequences, such as climate change, hypoxic waterways, and loss of biodiversity. I am deeply committed to protecting the ocean, especially after discovering many fish trapped in plastic debris on my local beach, which compelled me to act. In truth, I've been environmentally conscious all my life. My grandmother often mentioned that even before I could speak, I was meticulous about placing trash in the right bins. As I grew older, my awareness of litter in my community increased. In seventh grade, I participated in my first litter cleanup, which motivated me to regularly pick up trash. In eighth grade, I organized my first community litter cleanup event at my middle school. To boost participation and impact, I created an Instagram account and contacted local news reporters to promote my activities. My efforts paid off, as numerous people, including the mayor and deputy mayor, began joining my events. Additionally, my initiatives received attention through school and PTA newsletters, the mayor’s weekly emails, and local newspapers. Volunteers and I have collected over 2,400 pounds of trash from several local parks and schools, helping beautify our town and potentially saving some animals. Several participants mentioned they continue picking up trash when they see it because of my cleanup events. When I started addressing ocean plastic pollution, I would pick up trash during my free time. Now, I engage community members, showing them how littering affects wildlife and allowing them to actively reduce the amount of trash reaching the ocean. I also participate in other sustainability-focused group events in my area, advocating for collective action. Recently, my school's 40-member environmental club asked me to co-host my third annual community cleanup event at the high school. An eighth grader even asked for my help with her litter pickup plan. Through collaboration, we can reduce litter contaminating the ocean and restore our community's health and beauty. We all share the responsibility to prevent further environmental damage, and everyone can make a difference, no matter how small. Receiving media attention for my events has been a great honor. I was featured in my town's newspapers and gave a speech about my community cleanup efforts during my school's morning news program. In April 2024, I received my town’s Sustainability Award. Volunteers are crucial to successful cleanups, and I am profoundly grateful to those who have helped make this dream a reality. Although the award bears my name, it truly symbolizes our collective effort. "Hey, Thomas, is this recyclable?" My neighbors and classmates frequently ask me this question. I plan to continue sharing my passion and inspiring others to join me in keeping our ocean and environment cleaner, one community litter cleanup at a time.

I can't remember living in a household where my mom and dad were together. My dad is alive but remarried to someone much younger than him, and they have a daughter. My teachers wouldn't know him because he never attends school events, including parent-teacher conferences, open houses, award ceremonies, and orchestra concerts. I do not have a male role model, and it is hard for me. My mom, who has no family in the States, raised me alone while working a demanding full-time job. She drilled me on English words early on, even though she did not learn the language until she immigrated to the USA at age 19. She challenged my math skills and signed me up for advanced learning programs. She stood up for me when others tried to bully me. I've always been a slow bloomer: I started walking late, couldn't speak until I was three, and was the shortest boy in the grade until high school. I felt small. My mom protected me until I was old enough to look for myself, just as she learned to guard herself. My mom has survived three major disasters, and she still struggles with depression and PTSD from 9/11. Throughout my life, she prioritized my well-being and academic success over her career. She has always told me that education will lead to a more profitable path. She returned to school for a master's degree and changed her job to seek a more promising future. My mom means the best, but she is no angel. Some days, I wish I could escape from her constant ranting. I have spent hours listening to her angry stories, not knowing what I did to trigger them. These harangues stress me out and make it difficult to focus on schoolwork, but I've learned to maintain my composure no matter the situation, which has boded well for school. My career goal is to become an electrical engineer. I want to explore artificial intelligence and other neural network technology to improve the world's quality of life by pursuing a career in sustainability. I live by the ocean and have witnessed firsthand the effects of pollution and littering on marine life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I collected trash from the streets solo to help the environment, but I knew I needed more support to make a more profound impact. I have brought my community members together for a common cause by hosting monthly cleanups in my town. Through these events, I educate people about the unintentional impact of littering on wildlife while providing an opportunity for the community to actively contribute to reducing the amount of trash reaching the ocean. This scholarship will support my career aspirations. I want to learn more about embedded systems and renewable energy in a lab setting to acquire hands-on experience and field knowledge. These courses aren't offered at my high school but are available through a major in electrical engineering. I believe it is time for humans to stop damaging ecosystems worldwide. I understand how it feels to be ignored and stressed about things that feel out of our control, like climate change. I want to use my college degree to protect the environment just as my mom safeguarded me.

I want to major in electrical engineering in college. This scholarship will support my career aspirations because I want to learn more about currents and circuits in a lab setting, something difficult to accomplish at my high school due to limited resources. I want to meet the expectations of employers looking for hands-on experience and field knowledge by seeking out these opportunities during college. I dream of becoming an electrical engineer and working in different sectors like power generation, aerospace, healthcare, and information technology. I plan on exploring artificial intelligence and other neural network technology to improve global quality of life by pursuing a career in sustainability. I care about protecting the ocean. I live on Long Island Sound and have witnessed firsthand the effects of pollution and littering on marine life. Plastic bags float in rivers, debris collects on the beach after storms, and fishing nets ensnare animals. Climate change, hypoxic waterways, and biodiversity loss are just a few global consequences of water pollution. These issues break my heart and motivate me to protect our natural surroundings. My first stride in protecting the ocean was in 7th grade when I attended a community cleanup event. I collected trash from the streets by myself during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I knew I needed more help to make a noticeable impact. I posted on my Instagram account and contacted local news reporters to help spread the word about my activities. Many people, including the mayor and deputy mayor, responded to my efforts and attended the events. Volunteers and I have collected over 1,000 pounds of trash from various local parks and beautified our town. Several participants have told me they pick up trash whenever they see it because they have engaged in my cleanups. I have organized community litter pickups for years. They have brought together my community, but I have a more ambitious vision for the future. My career goal is to be a renewable energy specialist who innovates efficient electricity production methods. I want to be the person that develops a sustainable process to use poop to generate power, specifically. The bathroom is one of the most wasteful places in the house. We flush down clean water, paper products, and the stuff we contribute during our routine visits to a toilet. I want to build a facility that dies and burns excrement and paper to create energy. This career path excites me because of our current energy crisis. We depend excessively on limited fossil fuels that pollute the air. Many governments promise to transition to renewable energy, but these resolutions will fail without the proper technology to generate it. I will tackle this problem by devoting myself to sustainable energy. These innovation goals will not only provide clean power to thousands but keep the ocean clean as well. Once I become an electrical engineer, I will dedicate myself to sustainability and work towards a greater environmental goal. I want to reduce the amount of waste that contaminates the ocean and restore the health and beauty of our planet. This scholarship will make this desire a reality by granting me the support I need to excel in college.

I was once a short and unremarkable child. Today, I am applying for this prestigious scholarship that my mom found. She safeguarded me when I was young and guided me to pursue my academic success and other goals. I needed someone to protect me when I was younger. My mom, who raised me alone while working a demanding full-time job, would stand up for me when others tried to bully me. In kindergarten, my gym teacher gave me a failing grade for class effort, citing that I had no muscle. My mom was the one who set things right. In my life, I have always been a slow bloomer: I started walking late, I could not speak until I was three, and I was the shortest boy in the grade until high school. Dealing with my developmental procrastination must have been challenging, but my mom has shown incredible patience. People have called me intelligent for most of my life, but my mom was the one who shaped my success. She drilled me on English words early on, even though she did not learn to speak English until she immigrated to the USA at age 19. She challenged my math skills and enrolled me in advanced learning programs. She stimulated my curiosity and taught me to visualize by sending me to summer camps for academically gifted children. She showed me how to study for strenuous courses effectively. I have seen people giving up around me because they are convinced that they will not thrive. Perceived intelligence will not guarantee school proficiency but applying it will. My mom has shown me how to achieve my goals by reaching past my comfort zone and not quitting. I used the skills I learned from various places, such as school, my martial arts studio, music lessons, and church youth group, to be a leader in my community and my school’s Science Team. I live on Long Island Sound and care about protecting the ocean. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I collected trash from the streets alone. I realized I would need more help to make a more meaningful impact. I created an Instagram account and contacted local news reporters to help spread the word about my activities. Many people, including the mayor and deputy mayor, responded to my efforts and attended the events. Volunteers and I have collected over 1,000 pounds of trash from local parks and beautified our town. Until I became the leader of my school’s Science Team, we used to run the same routine at every meeting; one person would read science questions, and the rest would answer them. That same Science Team had been the Connecticut State Science Bowl Champion twice before the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone wanted to win, but team spirit was weak. As captain, I organized gatherings away from school at my humble house to create stronger bonds. We knew each other better, allowing us to coordinate well as a group instead of acting as individuals. At our last competition, all three competing teams ranked higher than the previous year. My mom has shaped my life by helping me to overcome my shyness by improving my academic and leadership skills. Because of her help, I am organizing community events and school projects. I am confident I will reciprocate her support and strife by continuing my educational goals.