I have always been a believer in magic. Magic, by my definition, doesn’t mean that I can cast a spell and instantly become richer or make my dishes do themselves. For me, magic lies in science. Science is the language of the universe, and the beauty of that is what makes it magic. As a child I remember visiting the Exploratorium in San Francisco. That institution showed me that knowing how something works doesn’t make it any less special; in fact, I’d venture to say it’s the opposite. Once you know how something works, you can manipulate reality in new and exciting ways. This applies to all branches of science, whether that’s chemistry, biology, engineering, or any other branch. As things in the world tend to become more divided into extremes of good and evil, I find that in science there is a balance and harmony to be found. My favorite presents to receive as a kid were always science kits. Growing crystals, making my own glow sticks, even just making a baking soda volcano. The way so many things must interact with each other to build the world we know is fascinating and learning that we know how many of these things happen is where the magic lies. As I’ve gone through my college career and had the opportunity to learn about these processes, I’ve only become more interested. We have the power to build a better world for everyone because of the scientific advances past and present. I am currently pursuing a degree in Soil Science, learning about the secret microscopic world beneath our feet and how it sustains life as we know it. I also currently have the incredible opportunity to be employed with the Desert Research Institute, and here have found a passion for research. After I graduate, I hope to be able to continue working in the research field, trying to find ways to help us sustain the life-giving resource that soil is. I plan on building several research projects over the next two years, and hope that through them I will have the opportunity to explore more of our world. After researching for several years, I hope to find ways that normal people can help in the fight to keep our soil safe and healthy, and to bring the tools necessary to do so to the public. I’m not entirely sure where I want to end up long term, but I know that my thirst for knowledge through scientific endeavors and my desire to help the planet and its people will continue to drive me in the right direction. This scholarship would allow me the freedom to continue developing research projects in order to contribute to the collective ever-growing scientific knowledge. It would help give me the freedom to continue volunteering in my community and making connections with other scientists and community builders around me. This scholarship would allow me to thrive through the remainder of my undergraduate studies and help motivate me to keep finding new ways to learn, grow, and become a better scientist.

The car was old, slow, red, and barely large enough to fit me and my three friends. But as high schoolers, we were just happy to have a vehicle. The day had been full of food, laughter, and friendship. As we headed home, thunder cracked the sky open, and rain fell as if a bucket were being dumped over us. The street turned into a small river. The wipers couldn’t keep up, and the driver had to stick his head out the window just to see. Less than a quarter mile from home, we pulled into a parking lot, afraid the car wouldn’t make it through the rising water. The storm passed quickly, but the world felt changed. The baseball fields had become makeshift wetlands, the church parking lot was submerged, and the elementary school playground was so flooded you could swim from the slides to the swing set. The water lingered for days. I heard of businesses near the river stacking sandbags to no avail, and downtown became impassable due to water coursing through the streets. For the first time, I saw how quickly a storm could overwhelm an entire city. This flash flood, though not even a major one for Northern Nevada, transformed how I understood water in the built environment. I grew up hearing adults pray for rain to relieve the drought plaguing Nevada and California. But I came to realize: an outpouring of blessings is only helpful if we have the capacity to receive them. As a native Nevadan, I understand firsthand how one can have “too much of a good thing.” That flash flood taught me how important it is to manage the water we do receive, especially in urban areas covered in impermeable surfaces. Water that once sustained ecosystems now rushes across concrete, causing destruction rather than nourishment. To mitigate risk and harness benefit, we must design systems that allow stormwater to infiltrate, recharge groundwater, or move safely through communities. Nevada’s hills and valleys naturally direct rainfall into floodplains—yet modern cities were often built right in those zones. My exploration of Nevada’s hydrology revealed that many communities remain unprepared for floods, even as climate extremes worsen. I believe floodplain management must prioritize working with residents who may not fully grasp the risks they face. Education must be part of the solution—not just about safety, but about the value of water in our environment. Groundwater across the state is dropping rapidly. With more impermeable development in floodplains, less stormwater can seep into the ground and recharge aquifers. Flood management should not only focus on reducing damage but also on restoring balance—giving water more time to be part of the ecosystem rather than rushing it away as waste. Just as ecosystems are connected through the interactions of land, water, plants, and animals, so too are we. Floodplain managers must recognize and communicate this connection. By helping communities understand their landscapes, we can empower them to protect themselves and their environment. My firsthand experience of floodwaters reshaping my neighborhood instilled in me a deep respect for water and a desire to help others see it not as an enemy but as a misunderstood ally. I bring to floodplain management a passion for public education, a background rooted in Nevada’s hydrology, and a belief that we can learn to live with water in ways that make our communities stronger, safer, and more resilient.