Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, I witnessed firsthand the environmental and socioeconomic challenges that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. From industrial pollution to limited access to quality education, these systemic issues fueled my passion for STEM, sustainability, and social impact. My educational journey is driven by a desire to create innovative solutions in chemical engineering, focusing on sustainable materials and manufacturing processes to improve the world around me. I plan to major in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Sports Management, combining my love for science, problem-solving, and athletics. Through my studies, I hope to contribute to the development of eco-friendly industrial processes, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient solutions. Additionally, my involvement in photography, sports, and entrepreneurship has taught me the importance of leadership, adaptability, and creative problem-solving—skills that will help me excel in my career and beyond. One of the greatest obstacles I’ve faced was balancing my academic, athletic, and entrepreneurial responsibilities while also supporting my family. In high school, I helped care for my grandmother after her open-heart surgery and looked after my younger brother while my mother attended job training. Managing household responsibilities, studying for exams, and leading extracurricular initiatives often left me sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. However, instead of succumbing to the pressure, I developed time management skills, resilience, and perseverance. I learned to prioritize, adapt, and seek support when needed, which ultimately strengthened my ability to thrive under challenging circumstances. Despite these hardships, I remained committed to my passions. I became the Board of Directors leader for the Black Student Union, advocating for diversity in STEM, arts, and athletics. I co-founded WOCIA (Women of Color International Association) to empower young women in STEM, entrepreneurship, and the arts. I also launched my own photography and graphic design business, Digitals By Mai, capturing the stories of athletes and creatives while developing professional skills in business management and digital media. Additionally, I co-founded NexGenEd, a tech startup designed to help students find internships and volunteer opportunities, a mission inspired by my own struggles in navigating extracurricular opportunities. My passion for sustainability led me to earn certifications in Climate Reality Leadership and Sustainability Services Technology from Santa Monica College. Through programs like EarthVent360 and my role in OBAP’s Aerospace Career Program, I’ve engaged in STEM advocacy, environmental research, and aerospace exploration, further fueling my desire to develop eco-friendly solutions in the manufacturing industry. These experiences have solidified my commitment to higher education and innovation. By pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, I will work toward creating sustainable manufacturing methods and environmentally conscious solutions. My goal is to revolutionize industrial processes, reduce waste, and promote clean energy initiatives, ensuring that communities like mine have a healthier, more sustainable future. I believe that education is the foundation for change, and I am determined to use my knowledge to uplift underrepresented communities, advocate for sustainability, and drive meaningful innovation. With my resilience, leadership, and passion for problem-solving, I know that I will not only overcome any challenge that comes my way but also make a lasting impact on the world.

It's difficult to choose just one because there have been so many sci-fi films that have had a lasting impression on me. If I had to choose, I'd go for "Blade Runner." Its combination of thought-provoking subjects, captivating imagery, and philosophical depth really speaks to me. It delves into complex issues such as identity, humanity, and the nature of consciousness, which I find endlessly intriguing. Furthermore, the film's noir atmosphere and haunting score create a wonderfully immersive experience that will last with you long after the credits roll. "Blade Runner" explores significant philosophical themes about the nature of consciousness and what it means to be human. One of the film's key themes is the concept of artificial intelligence, specifically whether synthetic beings, such as replicants, may have consciousness and emotions similar to humans. The replicants in "Blade Runner" are sophisticated bioengineered entities created to serve humans, but they have emotions, memories, and wants. This presents important ethical and existential problems. If replicants can experience pain, love, and fear, do they have the same rights and freedoms as humans? Are they just advanced machines or anything more? The film prompts viewers to reconsider their beliefs about the nature of consciousness and the distinctions between man and machine. Furthermore, "Blade Runner" investigates the concept of memory and its significance in shaping identity. Memories play an important role in defining who we are as people, but what happens when memories may be implanted or altered? The film blurs the border between reality and illusion, pushing both characters and viewers to confront the fallibility of vision and the malleability of truth. At its core, the essence of humanity may lie in our capacity for consciousness and self-awareness. Unlike other animals, humans possess a unique ability to reflect on our own existence, to contemplate the world around us, and to ponder our place within it. This self-awareness allows us to form complex societies, develop languages, create art, and strive for self-improvement and understanding. As an aspiring Chemical Engineer and Physics major I look forward to exploring these aspects of human existence while conjoining my interests with interdisciplinary subjects to focus on making a positive impact in my community and the greater world around me. In considering these issues, "Blade Runner" encourages us to consider our own humanity and the essence of what it means to exist. It prompts us to examine the notion that awareness is not limited to biological creatures, and that artificial intelligence may one day contain attributes associated with personhood. As a result, the picture has sparked controversy and discussion long after its premiere, cementing its status as a timeless classic of science fiction cinema.

As a young Black woman in high school, building trust between law enforcement agencies and the African American population is vital for my/our sense of safety and well-being. From a personal perspective my mother who is also African American and Latino has had a troubled past with law enforcement and crime, my mother was in fact pregnant with me in jail - and knows all too well about the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding African Americans in low income and underserved communities. There were times in my mother's life where her relationship and even my family's relationship with law enforcement was very traumatic and lacked respect and trust. However, with a lot of involvement in community organizations through my mothers growth she has been able to rebuild a certain trust between police officers who she now knows by name. Building relationships and fully understanding backgrounds, learned and unlearned biases between law enforcement and the African American community can help to rebuild relationships that can also turn into community partnerships to benefit our youth, ex-felons and stop the possibility of our youth falling into the criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies can organize outreach initiatives aimed primarily at young African Americans. These programs may include youth mentorship initiatives, after-school activities, and educational sessions aimed at creating positive connections and mutual understanding. Implementing School Resource Officer (SRO) programs staffed by appropriately trained officers that promote trust and good interactions can assist strengthen law enforcement-student relationships. SROs should act as mentors and advocates for students rather than just enforcing disciplinary measures. Law enforcement agencies should give officers with continuing cultural competence training to help them understand the specific experiences and issues that African American adolescents encounter. This training should emphasize empathy, communication skills, and conflict resolution tactics that avoid using excessive force. I also believe it is crucial to encourage law enforcement to implement community policing tactics that prioritize collaboration, problem-solving, and relationship-building. Officers should interact with community people in non-enforcement settings, such as at community events, neighborhood meetings, and outreach programs. Police departments should implement training programs to address implicit bias among officers and promote fair and equitable treatment of all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, as well as understanding the signs of mental health issues in African Americans and providing them with the necessary services and contacting the appropriate help agencies to save lives. Officers can better serve and protect the community by educating awareness of unconscious biases and giving strategies to lessen their impact. Furthermore, I believe advocating for more accountability and transparency in law enforcement authorities is important towards establishing positive relationships and accountability. Support measures like civilian oversight boards, body-worn cameras, and independent investigations into misconduct charges to ensure that officers are held accountable for their actions and that trust between police and the community is preserved. I truly believe there are great police officers within our communities, holding unlawful police officers accountable will ensure great cops receive recognition and appreciation they deserve. Encouraging the establishment of community-led policing projects allow communities to actively shape public safety objectives and keep law enforcement responsible is essential to community growth and trust in law enforcement. By including community people in decision-making processes, agencies can foster trust and legitimacy in the African American community. By actively engaging with law enforcement agencies and advocating for these measures, we can help contribute to positive change and the improvement of our relationships between law enforcement and the African American population in the United States. Our voices and our perspectives are valuable in shaping policies and initiatives that promote safety, justice, and equality for all.

As a chemical engineering student, I'm passionate about leveraging my education to make a positive impact on my community. Chemical engineering provides various opportunities for creating sustainable solutions. I want to work on projects that reduce environmental pollution, save resources, and develop sustainable energy technology. I want to help create a healthy planet for my community and future generations by engineering more efficient processes, using eco-friendly materials, and adopting waste reduction initiatives. During my academic career, I want to specialize in computer science and chemical engineering since they have a lot of potential to positively impact the world. There are many chances to make significant contributions to society, from creating cutting-edge technologies to resolving challenging issues and that will be my mission to contribute to the world. One of my goals is to create a Mentorship and Outreach program that shares knowledge and passion for AI and machine learning with others. Mentor fellow students, participate in outreach programs to inspire K-12 students to pursue STEM fields, or contribute to community initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in AI and tech. Chemical engineering improves public health by developing medications, medical equipment, and clean water technology. I desire to contribute to projects that provide access to clean drinking water, affordable healthcare, and disease prevention. Whether its through research, innovation, or community outreach programs, I intend to help advance and improve the health and well-being of those in need in my community. I believe in education's ability to uplift communities. I intend to use my expertise and talents to encourage STEM education among underprivileged youth through my nonprofit Women of Color International Association (WOCIA) which I founded during the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic that originally aimed at helping women, children, youth and the greater community to obtain Personal Protective Equipment Kits and has since began providing STEM focused workshops and resources. Furthermore, by volunteering in schools, conducting seminars, and taking part in outreach initiatives, I wish to inspire and empower the future generation of scientists and engineers from varied backgrounds. Chemical engineering is closely associated with a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy, and agriculture. I want to help local companies and industries by leveraging my experience to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. I wish to contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of my town by streamlining procedures, enhancing product quality, and implementing safety measures. Lastly, I believe in the value of community engagement and advocacy. I want to actively participate in efforts that address social and environmental issues, such as pushing for clean air and water legislation, promoting renewable energy adoption, and ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities for all members of my community. Overall, I see my chemical engineering education as a powerful tool to address pressing challenges and make meaningful contributions to the well-being and prosperity of my community.

As a chemical engineering student, I'm passionate about leveraging my education to make a positive impact on my community. Chemical engineering provides various opportunities for creating sustainable solutions. I want to work on projects that reduce environmental pollution, save resources, and develop sustainable energy technology. I want to help create a healthy planet for my community and future generations by engineering more efficient processes, using eco-friendly materials, and adopting waste reduction initiatives. Chemical engineering improves public health by developing medications, medical equipment, and clean water technology. I desire to contribute to projects that provide access to clean drinking water, affordable healthcare, and disease prevention. Whether its through research, innovation, or community outreach programs, I intend to help advance and improve the health and well-being of those in need in my community. I believe in education's ability to uplift communities. I intend to use my expertise and talents to encourage STEM education among underprivileged youth through my nonprofit Women of Color International Association (WOCIA) which I founded during the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic that originally aimed at helping women, children, youth and the greater community to obtain Personal Protective Equipment Kits and has since began providing STEM focused workshops and resources. Furthermore, by volunteering in schools, conducting seminars, and taking part in outreach initiatives, I wish to inspire and empower the future generation of scientists and engineers from varied backgrounds. Chemical engineering is closely associated with a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy, and agriculture. I want to help local companies and industries by leveraging my experience to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. I wish to contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of my town by streamlining procedures, enhancing product quality, and implementing safety measures. Lastly, I believe in the value of community engagement and advocacy. I want to actively participate in efforts that address social and environmental issues, such as pushing for clean air and water legislation, promoting renewable energy adoption, and ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities for all members of my community. Overall, I see my chemical engineering education as a powerful tool to address pressing challenges and make meaningful contributions to the well-being and prosperity of my community.

As an AP Computer Science student I have created my ‘Simple Applications', my own code and online game that challenges decision making and estimation tools to strengthen critical thinking and comprehension skills. I have extensively trained on a diverse range of texts, including coding tutorials, and high school research papers. I'm equipped to understand and design code in various programming languages, analyze data, and discuss concepts related to AI and machine learning. This includes creating algorithms, designing models, and understanding the ethical implications of AI technologies. My personal initiative in creating my own code and online game has been one of the greatest hands-on experiences during my high school career. It shows that I am already actively engaging with computer science concepts and applying them creatively. Games that challenge decision-making and estimation can indeed strengthen critical thinking and comprehension skills, which are vital in the field of AI and machine learning. In terms of making an impact in this field, I am actively researching numerous avenues to explore and programs that will enhance my knowledge. As I continue developing my coding skills and delve deeper into AI and machine learning by working on more complex projects, participating in coding competitions, and contributing to open-source projects my resume and hands-on experience is providing me with positive leverage for my college and career experiences. Furthermore, my overall high school hands-on experiences include, learning and creating, Simple Applications, Data Structures Implementation, Algorithm Challenges, Graphical User Interface (GUI) Projects, Web Development, Data Analysis Projects, Robotics Projects, and Game Development, that creates simple games using game development frameworks or libraries such as Unity (C#), Pygame (Python), or LibGDX (Java). As an AP Computer Science student, I am often involved in coding and programming tasks that reinforce the concepts covered in the course. These projects can vary in complexity and scope but have always aimed to deepen my understanding, hone problem-solving skills, and provide practical experience with programming languages and algorithms. During my academic career, I want to specialize in computer science and engineering since they have a lot of potential to positively impact the world. There are many chances to make significant contributions to society, from creating cutting-edge technologies to resolving challenging issues and that will be my mission to contribute to the world. One of my goals is to create a Mentorship and Outreach program that shares knowledge and passion for AI and machine learning with others. Mentor fellow students, participate in outreach programs to inspire K-12 students to pursue STEM fields, or contribute to community initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in AI and tech.