Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Taking AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses introduced me to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve farming efficiency. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value the equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Taking AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses introduced me to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve farming efficiency. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value the equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Taking AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses introduced me to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve farming efficiency. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value the equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Taking AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses introduced me to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve farming efficiency. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value the equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Taking AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses introduced me to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve farming efficiency. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value the equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Taking AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses introduced me to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve farming efficiency. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value the equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can turn this fictitious idea into a fact known within cities around the world.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-engorged chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of the Bright Lights Scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I’d usually enjoy. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-smothered chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. Throughout my childhood, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as they are historically known to be under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing problem, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by intricate biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design and construction of agricultural tools and planning to improve the efficiency of agribusiness. I stay updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrates urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. Through researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would develop collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize farmer's markets on campus, I will learn networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me for an agriculture business. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of the Robert F. Lawson Fund, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I’d usually enjoy. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-smothered chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. Throughout my childhood, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as they are historically known to be under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing problem, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by intricate biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design and construction of agricultural tools and planning to improve the efficiency of agribusiness. I stay updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrates urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. Through researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would develop collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize farmer's markets on campus, I will learn networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me for an agriculture business. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of the Shays Scholarship, I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.

Bright neon yellow lights radiated down a long cutting highway, and after a long day of school, I struggled to stomach the greasy french fries I had usually enjoyed. As I ate my first meal of the day, I was sure I’d broken a record for the most fast food consumed in a week. Though, from watching my grandfather devour a salt-smothered chicken leg, I knew I was just a runner-up. As a little girl, there had always been an abundance of fast-food franchises within my community, spaced no more than seven blocks from each other. And yet, the nearest grocery store was at least 1 mile away. Disguised as a fantasy of variety, was a monotone nightmare that plagued low-income neighborhoods for generations–food deserts. With little access to fresh produce, these neighborhoods turn to the readily available combo meals they know they can afford, increasing their risk of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This disproportionately affects BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as we have historically resided in under-resourced communities. And so, to solve this growing epidemic, I plan to implement metropolitan horticulture. Most commonly known as urban agriculture, metropolitan agriculture will be the small-scale growing, processing, and selling of produce in metropolitan areas. From this, I will create an agribusiness that promotes agriculture in socioeconomically challenged urban areas, improving communities' access to fresh produce, and hence, reducing the food deserts and nutritional insecurity affecting its people. But before I can implement this plan, I must further my education. Having taken AP Environmental Science and Digital Environmental Modeling courses, I was introduced to the effects and relationships between natural systems and human society. Afterward, I was captivated by the intricate topic of biogeochemical pathways and organized my school's first Environmental Science Club, where we ran experiments to sharpen our skills in soil composition and compare our research on sustainable agriculture and crop management. Outside of school, I take online courses on environmental and agricultural engineering, where I familiarize myself with the design of agricultural planning and construction of machinery to improve the efficiency of farming. Staying updated with agribusinesses such as Vertical Harvest Farms, I remain inspired by their hydroponic farms and multi-story greenhouses, and Riverpark Farm by ORE Design + Technology, an architectural work that seamlessly integrated urban farms into city complexes. As a senior, I take these steps to prepare myself for college, where I will major in environmental science. While attending college, I will utilize the resources given to me to develop important interpersonal life skills that will further my character. By researching the long-term effects of green roof mercury run-off on crops, I would gather collaboration skills and environmental stewardship. While partnering with local farmers to organize markets on campus, I will develop networking and management. Afterward, while working as a soil scientist, I continually learned in courses and programs preparing me to begin my business in metropolitan agriculture. This is my future. I value equal opportunity to nutrition and the diversity of people's diets. I believe people are entitled to their health, and accessibility to fresh produce. And it is with the support of your scholarship, that I can invest in the years to come and enact the change we need.