I want to spread a legacy of joy through a career in Environmental Science. Growing up in Washington means constantly being surrounded by nature. There has never been a moment where I couldn’t see the mountains, or evergreen trees the state is known for. Because of this I grew to love every aspect of the natural world. In school I would learn about animals going extinct, on the news I would see wildfires, and how they had burned down homes. I saw trash on roads, and felt each summer getting warmer. Each time I noticed how environmental issues were changing the world around me, it made me realize how much sadness environmental problems brought. It made me want to help shape a world where people weren’t filled with hopelessness because of these issues. So far, I have been able to spread joy in my community by being involved in beach clean-ups, and tree plantings around my town. Being a part of service projects has been an integral part of my life since I was eleven. It has helped to shape me into a service-oriented person, and see the true value of giving my time to help others. I also volunteer at a local fish hatchery, where I cut down the blackberries, and other invasive species, and clean up trash in the area. When I volunteer in my town I feel I am making a difference in my community. I am able to give back to the place I love and give people a bit of hope that not every inch of our world is being threatened by the issues of climate change. Last summer I also had the opportunity to have an internship with Northwest Youth Corps. I was able to make positive changes in parks, and natural areas around Portland. During this internship I did conservation work such as pulling invasive plants, and planting native species in their place. Doing this internship gave me insight into what a career in Environmental Science would be like. I was able to see how cleaning up an area, or planting and harvesting food could make someone else feel a bit happier. But more importantly I was able to see how doing conservation work was able to make the earth happier and healthier. I saw how removing invasive species can make a space feel cleaner, and how it gives a chance for native plants to grow. I am also interested in science communication and using communication as a form of education. My high school does senior projects, and for mine I made a magazine highlighting environmentalism in my community. I wanted to focus my magazine on environmentalism, because I know how much media there already is on problems, but not a lot on solutions. During this project I got to learn from professionals in the science field, and interview them. I was able to see how they teach others about our world, and how they can make a difference. My goal in creating this magazine was to make something that could educate others in my town on ways people are making the world a better place, and how they themselves can also have a positive impact in the world. I even got to put my magazine in my school library so my peers can learn more about their community, and how to make a difference. In summary, spreading hope, and joy is essential towards change. I want to have a career in Environmental Science to show people how even though environmental issues are impacting our communities, there is still hope all around us.

I love the way the ever-expansive trees sway in the wind, the way I can see Mt. Rainer close by on a sunny day, or how I can find nature all around me. I am lucky to call this state home, and want to do all I can to protect my home here from environmental issues that could affect it greatly. Over the years I have participated in multiple volunteer events such as tree plantings and beach clean-ups to help make my community in Washington a safer and happier place. I have also volunteered at Columbia Springs, a local fish hatchery, where I clear the trails in the area of invasive species. I am especially proud of the work I have done this last summer with Northwest Youth Corps. With this opportunity I had the chance to get to understand what a job in environmental science might be like. I was able to meet college students studying in the environmental science field, learn conservation knowledge, and work on projects to clean up areas in the area. I helped clear areas of invasive species, plant native plants, and helping with harvesting and planting on a local farm called Kindness Farm. This was a very valuable experience for me as it gave me a perspective on the hard work I would have to do as an environmental scientist. Even though it was very hard to keep working every day, I still did, and that showed me that environmental science truly is my passion. Recently I am also in the process of creating a magazine centered around environmentalism in my community in Vancouver Washington. This magazine is one of my best achievements so far. I have been able to combine my interests in visual art, design, communication, and environmental science to create a resource that anyone can use to learn more about our community, and get involved in environmental science. So far I have been able to interview people at my local community college, working at a native plant center. I hope this magazine will be able to inspire others, and help make my community here a better place. These experiences and activities have inspired me to make a difference in my community, through my pursuit of environmental science. I want to help people by teaching them about the environmental issues impacting us, and showing them how beautiful our natural world truly is.

It was 80 degrees outside, I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, the most uncomfortable shoes, and gloves that stuck to my skin. It was my first job. For five weeks I would be weeding, hauling, shoveling, pulling and cutting back plants. It was grueling work. For six hours, I stayed there pulling ivy and cutting back blackberries. It's safe to say this wasn't exactly my idea of fun. I pulled and cut those invasive species for a week. By the first day, my hands had become blistered even through the gloves I had used, my legs became tired of crouching and climbing, and my back and arms ached from being stuck in the same position. By that first week, I had wanted to quit. I could have gotten a better job, one with more money, and less labor. There wasn't any benefit for me. What would I get out of working every day for weeks in the July heat? I was crouched down in the same long-sleeved shirt, this time it was 90 degrees, on farm fields. The sun beamed straight at my back. Again the whole day, I weeded, I planted, I picked, but the one thing I hadn't done was quit. It was the last week of my summer job. For five weeks, I had pushed through and reminded myself why I was there to begin with. While I pulled out ivy, I thought of the people I'd be helping, how I would be making safer trails for them to walk on, and how there would be no more ivy curling down the paths. As I worked in those farm fields, under harsh rays, I thought of the food that would be going to others, I thought of how I would be contributing to their lives, through the food I had just planted and picked. I realized my passion for the environment, that I wanted to do my part, I wanted to do something for my community. I had not done something amazingly selfless, such as saving a life, but I had done something. Through the invasive species I have cut and pulled from the earth, I have made a physical impact on my community. I have come to a deeper understanding of why I so desperately want to make the world better, why I want to be selfless and help those in my community. I have always been invested in the environment, but seeing the change, however small, I was able to make through my hard work and dedication, made me realize how big my passion for helping the environment, and helping my community truly is.