A community service leadership role that I had very recently, and will have this coming summer as well. What I have set up for the past few summers is a youth language camp for kids aged from 7 to 14 years old for the Yakama Language (Ichishkiin). Ichishkiin is my native language, as I am affiliated with the Yakama tribe, but the Ichishkiin language was expected to be eradicated around 20 years ago. Well before I was born, the ichishkiin language had four major speakers. Thankfully, one of these speakers led the charge to get more speakers of our language. She was successful in this endeavor, and it is thanks to her and one of her students that Ichishkiin is still spoken today. This language is spoken in four schools and is now considered an accredited language for graduation. But we now have another issue, the language is not being spoken by the younger generation because it is very difficult to use on a daily basis. So I took it upon myself to create a curriculum that is both informational and fun to use. My first summer of this language camp was to listen to what the students wanted to learn and then to create images with the words. Now, three sessions later, I have set up groupings of different topics such as colors, numbers, animals, plants, specific sentences, and unique creations. My students are given the opportunity to learn what they want to learn, and then I will ask each student at the end of our time to use these words with their family, cause if the kid is interested in a topic, then the parents will follow. Some major changes that I have noticed in my hometown are the Ichishkiin usage, we now have Ichishkiin classes at the high school and middle school for any student to take, and I am able to hear more of my native language than I have ever heard in my life. Today, there are two teachers of Ichishkiin in my home school and another handful throughout the valley. Through the perseverance and constant development of younger speakers and devoted teachers, we are seeing a rise in speakers as well as an increase in the fluency of speakers. I was given the seal bilaterally from the Yakama tribal council with one other student in my class; this year, four people will have that opportunity. It is the little changes like this in the community that I am extremely blessed and happy to be a leader in this development.

There are moments in life that define who we are, moments that shape our dreams and our purpose. For me, one such moment came in the wake of a profound loss that forever altered my family: the death of my younger brother, Heron. Heron was my third sibling, and I was never able to even see him. His unexpected passing not only devastated us emotionally but left a permanent imprint on my soul, one that has fueled my determination to become a physician. At the time, I was too young to understand the full weight of what had happened. But as I grew older, I began to comprehend just how much we had lost. Heron was not just a brother; he was a son, a grandson, and a friend with a bright future ahead of him. His death left a void in our family that nothing could fill, and the pain of his absence has lingered for years. Yet, instead of allowing this tragedy to define me in a negative way, it ignited a burning desire to ensure that no other family should ever have to experience what we did. I want to become a physician so that I can make a difference in the lives of others; help them when they are at their most vulnerable and offer a sense of hope in the face of uncertainty. The helplessness I felt during Heron’s final days has stayed with me, and I know that no family should have to endure the same fate. As a doctor, I will be in a position to save lives, guide patients through their most difficult moments, and offer families the support they need during times of crisis. This mission is personal for me, and it is the driving force behind my decision to pursue a career in medicine. The path to becoming a physician is long and challenging, but I am more committed than ever. I am not just seeking a career; I am seeking a way to honor my brother’s memory and turn our family's grief into something meaningful. Every step I take toward becoming a doctor will be a step toward ensuring that no other family has to endure the pain of losing a loved one prematurely due to medical uncertainty or negligence. Ultimately, my goal is simple: to be a physician who makes a difference. I want to be part of a healthcare system that gives families more years with their loved ones, more time to create memories, and more hope for a brighter future. Heron’s death will always be a part of my journey, but it is also the reason I will dedicate my life to healing others. In honor of my brother, I will become the kind of doctor who fights to ensure that no family has to know the heartache of losing a loved one too soon.

My name is Quintic Jacob, and I am a native American student currently at Washington State University studying to become a Biomedical Engineer to either go into medical research like cancer medicine or to be a physician for underrepresented communities. Sepsis is a very quiet and scary infection that many overlook or misdiagnose, which was the case for my Mom. She was and is still one of the strongest and most hardheaded people I have ever met and considering she was going to be a nurse at one point she is very conscious about our family's health and diagnoses. However, she was prepared to be bedridden and weak for so long; but she never gave up on us and from her perseverance and strength she continued to be my role model. In life, there are moments when fear, uncertainty, and helplessness come crashing down all at once, and you realize just how fragile the human body can be. For me, one such moment came when my mom became critically ill and was diagnosed with sepsis, which eventually led to pneumonia. The experience was a whirlwind of medical terminology, sleepless nights, and overwhelming anxiety, but through it all, I witnessed an incredible fight of will and resilience. My mom, against all odds, survived, and that journey remains one of the most transformative experiences of my life. It all started rather suddenly. My mom, who had always been a pillar of strength, a woman who rarely complained about anything, began feeling unwell. At first, it seemed like just another minor illness — a fever, chills, fatigue, and a little loss of appetite. But as days passed, the symptoms only worsened. She became disoriented, couldn’t keep any food down, and felt incredibly weak. We tried to brush it off as just a bad flu, but the severity of her condition soon became undeniable. Sepsis, as I later learned, can be a silent killer, and it took no time at all for it to wreak havoc on my mom’s body. As the infection spread, her organs began to show signs of distress, and her blood pressure plummeted dangerously. Despite receiving antibiotics, her condition didn’t improve as quickly as we had hoped. To make matters worse, the sepsis led to pneumonia, further complicating her situation. The pneumonia, a lung infection, made it even harder for her to breathe. The constant coughing, shortness of breath, and oxygen levels dropping sent us into an endless cycle of worry. Every time the phone rang, I braced myself for more bad news. I couldn’t escape the grim thoughts that swirled in my mind. Would my mom make it? What if we were losing her? After what felt like an eternity, things began to turn around. The antibiotics finally began to show their effects. Slowly but surely, the pneumonia began to clear up, and the sepsis lost its grip on her body. Her vitals started to stabilize, and she regained a little more strength with each passing day. Though the road to full recovery was long and gradual, there was a sense of relief that, for the first time in what felt like weeks, my mom might truly be out of danger. One of the most poignant moments of her recovery came when she was able to sit up in bed for the first time. It wasn’t much, but it was everything. She looked at me with tired eyes, smiled weakly, and whispered, “I’m going to be okay.” That was the moment I realized how precious life is, and how much we take it for granted until it’s threatened.

A community service leadership role that had very recently and will have in this coming summer as well. What I have set up for the past few summers is a youth language camp for kids aged from 7-14 years old for the Yakama Language (Ichishkiin). Ichishkiin is my native language as I am affiliated with the Yakama tribe but the Ichishkiin language was expected to be eradicated around 20 years ago. Well before I was born the ichishkiin language had four major speakers. Thankfully one of these speakers led the charge to get more speakers of our language. She was successful in this endeavor and it is thanks to her and one of her students that Ichishkiin is still spoken today. This language is spoken in four schools and is now considered an accredited language for graduation. But we now have another issue, the language is not being spoken by the younger generation because it is very difficult to use on a daily basis. So I took it upon myself to create a curriculum that is both informational and fun to use. My first summer of this language camp was to listen to what the students wanted to learn and then to create images with the words. Now three sessions later I have now set up groupings of different topics such as colors, numbers, animals, plants, specific sentences, and unique creations. My students are given the opportunity to learn what they want to learn and then I will ask each student at the end of our time to use these words with their family cause if the kid is interested in a topic then the parents will follow. Some major changes that I have noticed in my hometown is the Ichishkiin usage, we now have Ichishkiin classes at the high school and middle school for any student to take and I am able to hear more of my native language than I have ever heard in my life. Today, there are two teachers of Ichishkiin in my home school and another handful throughout the valley. Through the perseverance and constant development of younger speakers and devoted teachers, we are seeing a rise in speakers as well as an increase in the fluency of speakers. I was given the seal of bilaterally from the Yakama tribal council with one other student in my class, this year four people will have that opportunity. It is the little changes like this in the community that I am extremely blessed and happy to be a leader in this development.

Biomedical engineering is a rapidly evolving field that combines the principles of engineering and medicine to improve healthcare outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals. As I embark on a journey to become a biomedical engineer, I am driven by the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of patients, contribute to advancements in medical technology, and address critical healthcare challenges. In this essay, I will outline the positive impact I envision having as a biomedical engineer. As a biomedical engineer, my primary focus will be on designing, developing, and improving medical devices, equipment, and diagnostic tools. By applying my engineering skills and medical knowledge, I will have the opportunity to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of medical procedures and treatments. For example, I could develop innovative prosthetic limbs that restore mobility and independence to individuals with limb loss, or design advanced imaging techniques that enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of diseases. By improving patient care and health outcomes, I will contribute to enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life of individuals. Biomedical engineers play a crucial role in advancing medical technology through research and development. By conducting cutting-edge research and collaborating with healthcare professionals, scientists, and industry experts, I will have the chance to drive innovation and bring new technologies to the forefront of healthcare. For instance, I could work on developing implantable devices that monitor vital signs and deliver targeted therapies, or contribute to the design of artificial organs that revolutionize organ transplantation. These advancements have the potential to save lives, increase treatment options, and improve the overall efficiency and efficacy of healthcare systems. The field of biomedical engineering offers unique opportunities to address some of the pressing challenges faced by the healthcare industry. For instance, the aging population, chronic diseases, and limited healthcare resources are issues that demand innovative solutions. As a biomedical engineer, I will be equipped with the skills to design and implement cost-effective healthcare technologies and systems that cater to these challenges. By developing portable medical devices or remote monitoring systems, I can improve access to healthcare in underserved areas and enable early intervention and preventive care. Furthermore, I can contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly healthcare practices, reducing the industry's ecological footprint. Biomedical engineering is a field that thrives on collaboration, bringing together professionals from various disciplines such as engineering, medicine, biology, and computer science. As a biomedical engineer, I will have the opportunity to collaborate with experts from diverse backgrounds to tackle complex healthcare problems. This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity, facilitates knowledge exchange, and promotes the development of comprehensive and effective solutions. By working in teams and engaging in cross-disciplinary projects, I will be able to leverage the collective expertise of individuals from different fields, leading to breakthrough innovations and positive impact in healthcare. Becoming a biomedical engineer holds tremendous potential for making a positive impact in healthcare. By focusing on improving patient care, advancing medical technology, addressing healthcare challenges, and embracing collaboration, I will be able to contribute to the well-being of individuals, drive innovation, and shape the future of healthcare. As I embark on this journey, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and the positive changes I can bring about as a biomedical engineer.

My ethnic background is Native American, specifically Yakama, Filipino, and Caucasian. I live and go to school on the Yakama reservation which hasn’t always been the easiest for me. I am very light in complexion, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and am taller than the average student at my high school in Wapato. Making friends early on wasn’t easy because I was very shy and nervous around others, but I soon found I was a good athlete. Being a good athlete got me picked for recess sports and this pushed me out of my awkward shell. As I became more confident in myself and was able to communicate confidently, I was able to make friends with everyone at school. Then when I was confident with myself and being around others, I made an effort to learn more about my Yakama culture. I took classes to speak the Yakama language, called Ichishkiin. I am fortunate to have the teaching of Ichishkiin as it is only being taught in four high schools across the state of Washington. It is thanks to the addition of Ichishkiin classes that the language as a whole wasn’t eradicated. Seeing that speaking Ichishkiin could be a strength of mine, I decided to participate in the Advanced division for the All-Valley Ichishkiin competition and placed first! By learning the language of my ancestors, I am keeping the language alive and continue learning more. From a young age, my interest has always been to do something to change the world. Initially, I wanted to be a pilot, flying around the world and visiting places I could only imagine. Later, I wanted to be in the military, help maintain our country's safety, and lead others to the best of my abilities. After participating in two summers of Navy programs, I realized while I wanted to serve my country, my interest was truly in science and engineering. Through a variety of STEM experiences, a goal of mine is to create medical advancements, whether it be a drug or a machine, that will help people at the global level. Areas of interest include: creating a drug to eradicate triple-negative breast cancer, creating a painkiller with minimal side effects that is non-habit forming, and designing a way to take Magnetic resonance imaging without being in a claustrophobic machine. I need this scholarship award to loosen the burden of paying for college and possibly nullify any college student loans that I may have to take. To pay for college I have been working every summer to save all that I can, while attending college full-time I will have at least one part-time job, and for the last few months, I have been applying for scholarships. There's something raw and powerful about heavy metal music that resonates with the depths of my soul. It's not just the aggressive riffs or thundering drums that draw me in; it's the emotional journey that unfolds within each song, creating a cathartic release unlike anything else. Heavy metal has become my refuge, my solace, and my saving grace during times of darkness, especially when I was battling with depression. When the weight of sadness seemed insurmountable, heavy metal was there to offer a sanctuary where I could immerse myself in the unapologetic intensity. The blistering guitar solos spoke the language of my pain, while the relentless drumbeats mirrored the racing thoughts within my troubled mind. The guttural screams and growls conveyed a sense of anguish, giving voice to the emotions that seemed inexpressible in any other way. In the midst of chaos, heavy metal became my anchor. Its power allowed me to confront my inner demons, to face my fears head-on. As I listened to the lyrics that explored themes of struggle, isolation, and resilience, I found solace in knowing that I wasn't alone in my battle. The music embraced my darkness and transformed it into a source of strength, reminding me that pain can be channeled into something beautiful.