@jenniferkramerhofm

My friends laughed the first time I told them what major I had chosen for college. Not because the major was funny or impractical or because it wasn’t what they thought I would be studying. It was simply because of my name. Hello, my name is Paige. I am studying paper engineering at Western Michigan University. You may call it fate or just a coincidence but yes, my name is Paige, and yes, a piece of paper in a collection of other pieces of paper is called a page. However, I did not choose paper engineering just because it was funny or cool that my name fits in with the paper theme. After a visit to Western’s campus, a tour of their paper pilot plant, and additional research into the program, my mind was made up. I would do both paper and chemical engineering. Although paper engineering is about eighty percent chemical engineering, there are a few key differences that made my double major non-negotiable to me. Paper engineering has a huge focus on sustainability. I have always been super concentrated and interested in the topic of climate change. We do not have the privilege of using this world in any way we want. We do not have a spare. We are running out of time to change our ways. A new material is needed to replace single-use plastic, a harmful product filling up landfills with its slow decomposition rate and microplastics after photodegrading. The solution is much easier and simpler than you might think. It is something that we’ve had around for a while. Scientists and engineers have been continuously improving it. That’s right, paper-filled future is here. A well-known example is paper straws. Other examples that might have gone under the radar are paper cups, gift cards, food containers and packaging. Paper is a renewable resource, with more trees being planted than cut down each year. The average decomposition time for paper is around 2 to 5 months, but the landfills are not where most used paper is going. Most of it is being recycled and sent back to paper mills to restart the process. My intent with my paper engineering degree is to lean heavily into sustainability and innovative efforts. I want to develop new and better ways to implement paper into every aspect of life, so less plastic will have to be used. My love of the outdoors and concern for the environment was developed while camping with my family. Unplugging for a week or long weekend was a great way to reconnect with people and nature. Working together to set up camp helped me to feel like part of a team. Everyone had a “job” to do and we couldn’t have fun until we had everything done. We helped each other out so we could ride bikes, start the campfire or go hiking sooner. I want other families to be able to enjoy nature and have fun like I did. This sense of belonging and close family ties has gotten me through some rough times. Whenever I feel stressed and overwhelmed or lonely like when I left for college, I remember my family and know that they support me and have my back. “Team Hofmeister” will be there for me.

My friends laughed the first time I told them what major I had chosen for college. Not because the major was funny or impractical or because it wasn’t what they thought I would be studying. It was simply because of my name. Hello, my name is Paige. I am studying paper engineering at Western Michigan University. You may call it fate or just a coincidence but yes, my name is Paige, and yes, a piece of paper in a collection of other pieces of paper is called a page. Contrary to my friends’ beliefs, I did not choose paper engineering just because it was funny or cool that my name fits in with the paper theme. Originally, I was applying to schools under the major of chemical engineering. After a visit to Western’s campus, a tour of their paper pilot plant, and some additional research, my mind was made up. I would do both paper and chemical engineering. Although paper engineering is about eighty percent chemical engineering, there are a few key differences that made my double major non-negotiable to me. Paper engineering has a huge focus on sustainability. I have always been super concentrated and interested in the topic of climate change. This is our only world. Not only that, but this is also the animals’ world. We do not have the privilege of using this world in any way we want. We are not the only beings in need of it and of what it can provide. We do not have a spare. We are running out of time to change our ways. A new material is needed to replace single-use plastic, a harmful product filling up landfills with its slow decomposition rate and microplastics after photodegrading. The solution is much easier and simpler than you might think. It is something that we’ve had around for a while. Scientists and engineers have been continuously improving it. Evidence of this has already been seeping into common day life. That’s right, a paper-filled future is here. A very well-known example of this is paper straws. Some more examples that maybe be apparent or might have gone under your radar are paper drink cups, paper gift cards, paper food containers, paper packaging, and so much more. Paper is a renewable resource, with more trees being planted than cut down each year. It also provides energy and clean water to the communities around the mills. The average decomposition time for paper is around 2 to 5 months, but the landfills are not where most used paper is going. Most of it is being recycled and sent back to paper mills to restart the process. My intent with my paper engineering degree is to lean heavily into sustainability and innovative efforts. I want to develop new and better ways to implement paper into every aspect of life, so less and less plastic will have to be used. I am in my school’s paper engineering club, and I love hearing different speakers come in and talk about what research they are doing and what new improvements are being introduced to the paper-making process. I have gone into my high school to speak on sustainability and how important it is to make the switch over to paper. I enjoy these talks most of all because being able to see so many familiar faces wanting to make a change is so inspiring to me. My goal is to become a leader in the effort to combat climate change, while also informing people of the reasons and efforts going on.

My friends laughed the first time I told them what major I had chosen for college. Not because the major was funny or impractical or because it wasn’t what they thought I would be studying. It was simply because of my name. Hello, my name is Paige. I am studying paper engineering at Western Michigan University. You may call it fate or just a coincidence but yes, my name is Paige, and yes, a piece of paper in a collection of other pieces of paper is called a page. Contrary to my friends’ beliefs, I did not choose paper engineering just because it was funny or cool that my name fits in with the paper theme. Originally, I was applying to schools under the major of chemical engineering. After a visit to Western’s campus, a tour of their paper pilot plant, and some additional research, my mind was made up. I would do both paper and chemical engineering. Although paper engineering is about eighty percent chemical engineering, there are a few key differences that made my double major non-negotiable to me. Paper engineering has a huge focus on sustainability. I have always been super concentrated and interested in the topic of climate change. This is our only world. We do not have the privilege of using this world in any way we want. We are not the only beings in need of it and of what it can provide. We are running out of time to change our ways. New material is needed to replace single-use plastic, a harmful product filling up landfills with its slow decomposition rate and microplastics after photodegrading. The solution is much easier and simpler than you might think. It is something that we’ve had around for a while. Scientists and engineers are continuously improving it. Evidence of this has already been seeping into common day life. That’s right, a paper-filled future is here. A very well-known example of this is paper straws. Some more examples that might have gone under your radar are paper drink cups, paper gift cards, paper food containers and paper packaging. Paper is a renewable resource, with more trees being planted than cut down each year. It also provides energy and clean water to the communities around the mills. Average decomposition time for paper is 2 to 5 months, but the landfills are not where most used paper goes. Most paper is being recycled and sent back to paper mills restarting the process. My goal with my paper engineering degree is to lean heavily into sustainability and innovative efforts. I want to develop new and better ways to implement paper into every aspect of life, so less plastic will have to be used. I am in my school’s paper engineering club, and I love hearing different speakers talk about their research and improvements being introduced to the paper-making process. I have gone to my high school speaking on sustainability and the importantance of switching to paper. I enjoy these talks most of all because I'm inspired by the many familiar faces wanting to make a change. My goal is to become a leader in the effort to combat climate change. In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can.

For two years, my sister and I shared a room. When I was sixteen and she was seventeen, I moved into her room. This was 2020 when covid-19 restrictions were high. Our dad had started working from home. His "office" was a small desk in our unfinished basement among all our storage bins. My sister and I offered to share a room so he could have my room upstairs. He made loft beds with desks underneath so we would have some more space. It was great and the new beds were perfect. We then discovered the flaw that would haunt us for the next two years. If you forgot something down below, you would have to climb down, grab it, and then climb back up. This doesn't sound bad but, when you're half asleep in the middle of the night or have had a long day and just want to go to bed, it's tough. The most forgotten item was our phones. Most of the time, we needed our phones because we were talking and then had to look up a song or an actor or an obscure art fact that my sister always seemed to talk about. We thought the rest of our lives and this pursuit of knowledge would be hampered by our new altitude. This all changed when my sister returned home one day with a new Amazon Alexa. I didn't think we had any use for it at first. But each time my sister and I had our nightly talks, we no longer had to climb down to ask our silly questions. From the comfort of our beds, we could continue talking. Until I moved to college, my sister and I would bombard this little disk with questions and requests. My sister even managed to hook up her lights to Alexa. Now we could be in bed and turn off the lights with ease. Even now, we will still talk of funny moments involving Alexa (especially one late night with the volume set a bit too high we asked it to play a song for us). This was one time technology brought people together. With my paper engineering degree, I intend to lean into sustainability and innovation. I want to develop new and better ways to implement paper into every aspect of life, so less plastic is used. My goal is to combat climate change.

My friends laughed the first time I told them what major I had chosen for college. Not because the major was funny or impractical or because it wasn’t what they thought I would be studying. It was simply because of my name. Hello, my name is Paige. I am studying paper engineering at Western Michigan University. You may call it fate or just a coincidence but yes, my name is Paige, and yes, a piece of paper in a collection of other pieces of paper is called a page. Contrary to my friends’ beliefs, I did not choose paper engineering just because it was funny or cool that my name fits in with the paper theme. Originally, I was applying to schools under the major of chemical engineering. After a visit to Western’s campus, a tour of their paper pilot plant, and some additional research, my mind was made up. I would do both paper and chemical engineering. Although paper engineering is about eighty percent chemical engineering, there are a few key differences that made my double major non-negotiable to me. Paper engineering has a huge focus on sustainability. I have always been super concentrated and interested in the topic of climate change. This is our only world. Not only that, but this is also the animals’ world. We do not have the privilege of using this world in any way we want. We are not the only beings in need of it and of what it can provide. We do not have a spare. We are running out of time to change our ways. A new material is needed to replace single-use plastic, a harmful product filling up landfills with its slow decomposition rate and microplastics after photodegrading. The solution is much easier and simpler than you might think. It is something that we’ve had around for a while. Scientists and engineers have been continuously improving it. Evidence of this has already been seeping into common day life. That’s right, a paper-filled future is here. A very well-known example of this is paper straws. Some more examples that maybe be apparent or might have gone under your radar are paper drink cups, paper gift cards, paper food containers, paper packaging, and so much more. Paper is a renewable resource, with more trees being planted than cut down each year. It also provides energy and clean water to the communities around the mills. The average decomposition time for paper is around 2 to 5 months, but the landfills are not where most used paper is going. Most of it is being recycled and sent back to paper mills to restart the process. My intent with my paper engineering degree is to lean heavily into sustainability and innovative efforts. I want to develop new and better ways to implement paper into every aspect of life, so less and less plastic will have to be used. I am in my school’s paper engineering club, and I love hearing different speakers come in and talk about what research they are doing and what new improvements are being introduced to the paper-making process. I have gone into my high school to speak on sustainability and how important it is to make the switch over to paper. I enjoy these talks most of all because being able to see so many familiar faces wanting to make a change is so inspiring to me. My goal is to become a leader in the effort to combat climate change, while also informing people of the reasons and efforts going on.

For two years, my sister and I shared a room. When I was sixteen and she was seventeen, I moved into her room. This was in the middle of 2020 when the covid-19 restrictions were still high. Our dad was working from home. His "office" was a desk in our unfinished basement among all our storage bins. My sister and I offered to share a room so he could have my room upstairs as a new office. He made us loft beds with desks underneath so we would have some more space in our cramped new room. The next few months were great, and the new beds were perfect. We then discovered the flaw that would haunt us for the next two years. If you forgot something down below, you would have to climb all the way down, grab it, and then climb all the way back up. This doesn't sound too bad but trust me. When you are half asleep in the middle of the night or have already climbed up and down a few times or had a long day and just wanted to go to bed, that's when it's bad. For my sister and I, the most forgotten item was our phones. Most of the time, we needed our phones because we were talking and then had to look up a song or an actor or an obscure art fact that my sister always seemed to be loaded with. We thought the rest of our lives and this pursuit of knowledge would be hampered by our new altitude off the floor. This all changed when my sister returned home one day with a new Amazon Alexa. I was hesitant at first. I didn't think we had any use for it. But I kept my mouth shut and didn't think about it for a while. But then each time my sister and I had our nightly talks, we no longer had to climb down to ask our silly questions. From the comfort of our own beds, we could continue talking. It was crazy how convenient it was, and I hadn't even realized what I was missing. Up until I moved away for college, my sister and I would bombard this little disk with questions and requests. My sister even managed to hook up her lights to Alexa. Now we could be in bed and turn off the lights with ease (and without pleading with our brother to come in and turn them off for us). Even now, we will still talk of funny moments involving the Alexa (especially one late night where the volume was a bit too high when we asked it to play a song for us). Since my sister first brought our little Alexa home, the number of times I have heard people saying they have an Alexa, or something like it, has only increased. In the next few years, I think people will consider voice-activated virtual assistants a household item, if they don't already. There is a sense of accomplishment that comes with inventing or reimagining a product that is used world-wide. I would like to impact the world in a way where I can affect people from all around the world in every degree of life. I want to improve people’s lives, make things even just a little bit easier, so they can do things that matter. They can spend time with friends, family, and just themselves. I am going to study and work so they can live a little bit easier and a little bit better.

My current goal is to graduate with a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Paper Engineering from Western Michigan University. After school, I would like to specialize in wastewater treatment in paper mills in order to minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. I would love to incorporate the things I am learning now to help the industry and its reputation while helping to make the world a little better for everyone. In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can. Right now, I am struggling to finance my second year of college. My parents do what they can to help, but I have a sister in college and a brother who will be a senior in high school next year so it is difficult for them. They can only contribute so much to my expenses. I will be working two jobs this summer in order to save for my sophomore year. When I come back to school in the fall, I will be working a part-time job on campus on top of my 16 credit hours. This scholarship will relieve some of the worries and burdens of paying for my education and allow me some breathing room to concentrate on my studies and remain in the Honors College at Western Michigan University. This past year, my freshman year at WMU, I maintained over a 3.5 GPA. If I need to work more during the school year or if I am worrying a lot about money, that might affect my school work. I am most passionate about my friends, family and being a good supportive friend, sister and daughter. Also dogs. I love dogs and when I am able to support myself, I would like to be able to rescue and take care of as many as I can. I would make a great candidate for this scholarship because I work hard, treat others with respect and I always do my best. I would do everything I can to make you proud to support my education and my future goals.

My current goal is to graduate with a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Paper Engineering from Western Michigan University. After school, I would like to specialize in wastewater treatment in paper mills in order to minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. I would love to incorporate the things I am learning now to help the industry and its reputation while helping to make the world a little better for everyone. This aspect of paper engineering would bring two things that I love together. Engineering and the Earth's environment. I have always loved camping with my family and sometimes spending a week at a lake "up north" in Michigan. I want to see these places protected for future families to explore and enjoy. Since I was little, I have been excited about my science and math classes. Finding a career that I am excited about while I help protect the places I love would definitely mean I "wouldn't work a day in my life!" In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can. Right now, I am struggling to finance my second year of college. My parents do what they can to help, but I have a sister in college and a brother who will be a senior in high school next year so it is difficult for them. They can only contribute so much to my expenses. I will be working two jobs this summer in order to save for my sophomore year. When I come back to school in the fall, I will be working a part-time job on campus on top of my 16 credit hours. This scholarship will relieve some of the worries and burdens of paying for my education and allow me some breathing room to concentrate on my studies and remain in the Honors College at Western Michigan University. This past year, my freshman year at WMU, I maintained over a 3.5 GPA. If I need to work more during the school year or if I am worrying a lot about money, that might affect my school work. I am most passionate about my friends, family and being a good supportive friend, sister and daughter. Also dogs. I love dogs and when I am able to support myself, I would like to be able to rescue and take care of as many as I can. I would make a great candidate for this scholarship because I work hard, treat others with respect and I always do my best. I would do everything I can to make you proud to support my education and my future goals.

My current goal is to graduate with a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Paper Engineering from Western Michigan University. After school, I would like to specialize in wastewater treatment in paper mills in order to minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. I would love to incorporate the things I am learning now to help the industry and its reputation while helping to make the world a little better for everyone. In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can. Right now, I am struggling to finance my second year of college. My parents do what they can to help, but I have a sister in college and a brother who will be a senior in high school next year so it is difficult for them. They can only contribute so much to my expenses. I will be working two jobs this summer in order to save for my sophomore year. When I come back to school in the fall, I will be working a part-time job on campus on top of my 16 credit hours. This scholarship will relieve some of the worries and burdens of paying for my education and allow me some breathing room to concentrate on my studies and remain in the Honors College at Western Michigan University. This past year, my freshman year at WMU, I maintained over a 3.5 GPA. If I need to work more during the school year or if I am worrying a lot about money, that might affect my school work. I am most passionate about my friends, family and being a good supportive friend, sister and daughter. Also dogs. I love dogs and when I am able to support myself, I would like to be able to rescue and take care of as many as I can. I would make a great candidate for this scholarship because I work hard, treat others with respect and I always do my best. I would do everything I can to make you proud to support my education and my future goals.

My current goal is to graduate with a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Paper Engineering from Western Michigan University. After school, I would like to specialize in wastewater treatment in paper mills in order to minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. I would love to incorporate the things I am learning now to help the industry and its reputation while helping to make the world a little better for everyone. In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can. Right now, I am struggling to finance my second year of college. My parents do what they can to help, but I have a sister in college and a brother who will be a senior in high school next year so it is difficult for them. They can only contribute so much to my expenses. I will be working two jobs this summer in order to save for my sophomore year. When I come back to school in the fall, I will be working a part-time job on campus on top of my 16 credit hours. This scholarship will relieve some of the worries and burdens of paying for my education and allow me some breathing room to concentrate on my studies and remain in the Honors College at Western Michigan University. This past year, my freshman year at WMU, I maintained over a 3.5 GPA. If I need to work more during the school year or if I am worrying a lot about money, that might affect my school work. I am most passionate about my friends, family and being a good supportive friend, sister and daughter. Also dogs. I love dogs and when I am able to support myself, I would like to be able to rescue and take care of as many as I can. I would make a great candidate for this scholarship because I work hard, treat others with respect and I always do my best. I would do everything I can to make you proud to support my education and my future goals.

My current goal is to graduate with a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Paper Engineering from Western Michigan University. After school, I would like to specialize in wastewater treatment in paper mills in order to minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. I would love to incorporate the things I am learning now to help the industry and its reputation while helping to make the world a little better for everyone. In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can. Right now, I am struggling to finance my second year of college. My parents do what they can to help, but I have a sister in college and a brother who will be a senior in high school next year so it is difficult for them. They can only contribute so much to my expenses. I will be working two jobs this summer in order to save for my sophomore year. When I come back to school in the fall, I will be working a part-time job on campus on top of my 16 credit hours. This scholarship will relieve some of the worries and burdens of paying for my education and allow me some breathing room to concentrate on my studies and remain in the Honors College at Western Michigan University. This past year, my freshman year at WMU, I maintained over a 3.5 GPA. If I need to work more during the school year or if I am worrying a lot about money, that might affect my school work. I am most passionate about my friends, family and being a good supportive friend, sister and daughter. Also dogs. I love dogs and when I am able to support myself, I would like to be able to rescue and take care of as many as I can. I would make a great candidate for this scholarship because I work hard, treat others with respect and I always do my best. I would do everything I can to make you proud to support my education and my future goals.

My current goal is to graduate with a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Paper Engineering from Western Michigan University. After school, I would like to specialize in wastewater treatment in paper mills in order to minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. I would love to incorporate the things I am learning now to help the industry and its reputation while helping to make the world a little better for everyone. In the future, I also want to mentor other women who wish to enter the engineering field. I had a wonderful person take the time to talk with me and take me to her place of work. I felt like I could do something like that because I saw someone who was like me doing it and doing it well! I want to do that for girls when I can. Right now, I am struggling to finance my second year of college. My parents do what they can to help, but I have a sister in college and a brother who will be a senior in high school next year so it is difficult for them. They can only contribute so much to my expenses. I will be working two jobs this summer in order to save for my sophomore year. When I come back to school in the fall, I will be working a part-time job on campus on top of my 16 credit hours. This scholarship will relieve some of the worries and burdens of paying for my education and allow me some breathing room to concentrate on my studies and remain in the Honors College at Western Michigan University. This past year, my freshman year at WMU, I maintained over a 3.5 GPA. If I need to work more during the school year or if I am worrying a lot about money, that might affect my school work. I am most passionate about my friends, family and being a good supportive friend, sister and daughter. Also dogs. I love dogs and when I am able to support myself, I would like to be able to rescue and take care of as many as I can. I would make a great candidate for this scholarship because I work hard, treat others with respect and I always do my best. I would do everything I can to make you proud to support my education and my future goals.

My future self is an independent woman making a difference for the environment in the field of paper engineering during the day and coming home at night to my small home filled with four dogs and two cats.