After graduating from Colorado State University, I intend to pursue a master's program and eventually I am considering pursuing a doctorate degree. Thomas Jefferson believed in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and Albert Einstein seconded this belief stating that “The pursuit of knowledge is more valuable than its possession.” It is never enough to have knowledge, for in a changing world like this one, there will always be more to learn. In the future I want to spend my time learning not only in the classroom but in life. Sometimes the most valuable thing one can learn is perspective. Science and math are vital to engineering and research but the ability to effectively and respectfully communicate separates the good from the great. I aspire to be great, to learn what I can through my degree (s) and be the best version of myself that I can be every day. I do not just want to simply be an engineer; I want to change the world. Career–wise, I want to be involved in research and development for either biomedical companies, or companies focused on the research and development of sustainable energy and materials. Philanthropy - a word that changed my life from the moment I knew what it meant. For as long as it has been around, philanthropy has been defined as an altruistic act where one gives what they can to those less fortunate. Many times this retains conations similar to money and fame. One of my elementary school teachers used to tell the story of a mother who volunteered at an orphanage. This mother scarcely had enough supplies to feed her children. She worked 2 jobs and lived paycheck to paycheck, yet every Saturday morning she was out on the front porch of that orphanage rocking crying children to sleep. She was a philanthropist; she gave what she had to give for the betterment of those around her. This story inspired me. I know that even on rough days when I feel like I have nothing to share - nothing to give - I can give a smile. In my future, when I have the money to do so, I hope to donate money to those less fortunate and volunteer in my community. Until then, I will be the kindest person I can and work to make a positive impact on those around me. As an engineer I hope to not only provide better situations for those with the money to afford it. A significant part of research is affordability. I will not stop until even those without dollars to spare have access to the things they need.

The fear of needles (trypanophobia), one that affects up to 25% of adults, is not a luxury I can afford. Since the age of 3 I have been in and out of hospitals requiring IV’s and bloodwork at a frequency incomprehensible to most. My parents were told I have a non-diagnosable autoinflammatory condition presenting with periodic fevers and arthritic pain. All are concepts I would not make sense of until many years later. Thorough investigation of nearly 500 genetic markers proved inconclusive and after 15 years I remain undiagnosed. Every day I face the unknown, struggling with new symptoms, yet I never find myself closer to an answer or a solution. Immunology is a constantly growing field with majors such as biology and chemical engineering serving as precursors. With this I intend to go into a Research and Development field and help people who go into each day fearing what pain or problem may await them - no one should go through the unknown afraid and alone. I aspire to find not only the cause of many unknown inflammatory problems but also the solutions to them. In addition to personal connections, another significant point of interest and motivation for me has been sustainability efforts and algae research. Throughout my years of schooling global warming curriculum seeped into nearly every corner of my education; consequentially, a passion for the environment took a permanent place in my heart. Understanding deforestation, palm oil usage, microplastics, and more have impacted the way I view my life and future career. Working and living sustainably moving forward is a need in today's world. Issues such as low supply for sustainable building materials, usage of soft plastics, and better sustainable energy are all things that can be solved with chemical research. I chose the Chemical and Biological Engineering degree at Colorado State University because it will best help me to get into a master's program that will diversify my portfolio and enable me to choose either sustainability or immunology when I enter industry. In addition to the positive change I could make with my career path, I strive every day to be the best person I can be. As an engineer I know that many days are rough. The amount of work I do will fluctuate and some days the best I can do is drink water and be kind. I work to ensure that I treat everyone around me with kindness and always encourage them to take care of themselves. I have volunteered to hand out candy on Halloween, clean houses, and provide food for charity events. The one thing that connects all people is kindness. I try to smile at everyone I can and make every small interaction count.

The fear of needles (trypanophobia), one that affects up to 25% of adults, is not a luxury I can afford. Since the age of 3 I have been in and out of hospitals requiring IV’s and bloodwork at a frequency incomprehensible to most. My parents were told I have a non-diagnosable autoinflammatory condition presenting with periodic fevers and arthritic pain. All are concepts I would not make sense of until many years later. Thorough investigation of nearly 500 genetic markers proved inconclusive and after 15 years I remain undiagnosed. Every day I face the unknown, struggling with new symptoms, yet I never find myself closer to an answer or a solution. Immunology is a constantly growing field with majors such as biology and chemical engineering serving as precursors. With this I intend to go into a Research and Development field and help people who go into each day fearing what pain or problem may await them - no one should go through the unknown afraid and alone. I aspire to find not only the cause of many unknown inflammatory problems but also the solutions to them. In addition to personal connections, another significant point of interest and motivation for me has been sustainability efforts and algae research. Throughout my years of schooling global warming curriculum seeped into nearly every corner of my education; consequentially, a passion for the environment took a permanent place in my heart. Understanding deforestation, palm oil usage, microplastics, and more have impacted the way I view my life and future career. Working and living sustainably moving forward is a need in today's world. Issues such as low supply for sustainable building materials, usage of soft plastics, and better sustainable energy are all things that can be solved with chemical research. I chose the Chemical and Biological Engineering degree because it will best help me to get into a master's program that will diversify my portfolio and enable me to choose either sustainability or immunology when I enter industry. From a young age I have had a clear vision of who I want to be as an adult. I can see myself, surrounded by success, standing in a conference room using my life experience to make the world a better place. I have always known I was going to do something great, and I will overcome any obstacles that come my way. When I was younger, my uncle was still in college, and I remember sitting with him as he worked through his calculus homework. I thought it was the coolest thing ever; I could not wait for the day that I was learning what he was. Now that I am here, doing pages and pages of math and dealing with equations that contain no numbers, I know I am on the right path. My younger self would be proud to see the person I am becoming. In the future, I hope I can be an inspiration to other women and underrepresented peoples in not only engineering but any industry. Right now, I hope to be the best person I can be every day and extend a kind hand whenever I can.

Since the age of 3, I have been in and out of hospitals, constantly visiting doctors, and walking into everyday wondering what else could go wrong. I have an undiagnosed autoinflammatory condition that, aside from physical distress, has caused significant mental struggles. It has since been called a periodic fever syndrome. When my dad graduated college, the best job he could find for his industry was all the way in a rural town in Maine. My parents and I uprooted and moved to Maine shortly after my first extended hospital visit over the summer of 2008. One year later, when I was 4, we got Dixie. A blue merle Australian Shepherd bred for wide open spaces. From the day we got her to the day she passed in 2021, she slept in my bed with me. Keeping me safe from bad dreams and sleepless nights. For two years she would be my primary companion. My parents were in and out of work but Dixie was always there. We grew up together playing in the fields behind my house, racing each other up the stairs, and dancing to whatever new song occupied my 5 year old brain. My mom and I taught her all the basic tricks while my dad and I taught her to play fetch. It was the 4 of us against the world before my siblings were born. When I was younger my periodic fever flares were nearly constant. I would be bedridden sick every few weeks with high fevers, rashes, joint paint, and other symptoms. Dixie was my light in the dark and my most cherished confidant. She was always there to comfort me. Often, I remember her coming to cuddle with me, her emotional intelligence never more prevalent. As I got older, my flares became more and more sparse; however, my struggles were far from gone. I continue to experience new symptoms periodically, ever finding new problems but never closer to a true diagnosis. In addition, social struggles with middle and high school presented themselves. My parents helped when they could, but I always felt like they did not understand. Dixie was always there and always seemed to understand. On particularly lonely or stressful nights she would come cuddle with me as opposed to lay at her spot on the end of my bed. Dixie was diagnosed with liver cancer the week of finals my junior year. She passed a week later, just a few days before Christmas. Shortly after she passed my dad got us pillows with her picture on them. When life gets particularly difficult, I find myself returning to my pillow with her photo, recalling how she felt and the way she'd comfort me when life got particularly painful. Even though she is no longer here, her memory keeps me moving forward every day.

Riding a bike exists as a task so simple it gets referred to in everyday speech - also commonly known as a skill that once learned, is not easily forgotten. For me, the skill that took years to master and an intense amount of fear. While for most the phrase “It’s like riding a bike” calls images of comfort and growth, for me it brought about anguish and anxiety. For me, “it” is not like riding a bike. My first bike memories take place when I was around 10 years old, riding around my grandparent’s cul-de-sac. My family was living with them at the time, we had just moved back to Colorado from Maine. I fell off my bed, broke my foot, and stopped cycling. By the time I had healed up I no longer had the desire to ride my bike. A few years later we moved to Colorado Springs and my dad wanted me to go on a ride with him. I was incredibly nervous; it had been so long since I had ridden my bike; I worried I would not know how anymore. “Just like riding a bike, you can’t forget it.” They tell me. Just like riding a bike. So simple; that does not ease my anxiety. On the ride with my dad, we barely got around the corner before I fell; froze up; freaked out. My injuries themselves were not bad, just a cut on my hand and elbow. The mental damage, however, was severe. For years even the thought of riding a bike made me get tense and frustrated just as I had when I “wiped out”. Yellowstone, 2020, my family took an RV trip; it was a way for us to get out of the house without compromising anyone’s health during the peak of the pandemic. At an RV campground, my family unloaded their bikes, before I had time to process my dad yelled, “Sami take my bike and go with the kids!” Not wanting to lose sight of my 6- and 8-year-old siblings I grabbed the bike and cycled after them; I had not even thought to grab a helmet. It was not until I coasted around a neighboring RV, trailing behind my brother and sister, that I realized what I was doing. I was riding a bike and loving it; I felt so free amidst the hostile captor of Covid-19. The wind against my face had me laughing with my siblings with a heartwarming feeling I had not felt in months. This experience illustrates to me that I am my greatest enemy in many cases and often the only thing holding me back is myself. With help of my parents, friends, and counselors, I have worked to make sure I know how to combat my fears and anxieties. Since riding my bike, I have overcome many challenges like it such as going to the gym and playing my violin. I have fought my anxiety time after time, and while at first, I failed repeatedly with things like riding my bike, the recent battles are not so strenuously won. Going into college I know I will conquer everything that comes my way because I have learned to never give up. My experience riding a bike emphasizes that I am capable of more than I realize. Conquering my anxieties and fears are daily battles but they are some I will never cease to fight.

Lyda Hill is the name of the woman I have never met and yet her life has helped to shape my own. Lyda Hill is a philanthropist who has inherited much of her fortune. She chooses to stay out of the spotlight in many instances while still helping to fund many incredible organizations in my town Colorado Springs. It was with her that I first heard the term philanthropy. From a very young age, I have found heartwarming joy in volunteer work. From cleaning the Ronald McDonald House to helping organize and collect for food drives, I am no stranger to helping others. My career goal is to work in biotechnology and either help kids who have rare genetic conditions or aid in reducing the effects of the global climate crisis. Aside from this, I intend to live a frugal lifestyle, only purchasing what I need and living as sustainably as I can so I can save up and one day become a philanthropist as Lyda Hill is. Community Service means strictly serving the community. To me, this often is volunteer work; additionally, community service is understanding when to step back and focus on studies so that you can increase your capacity to help people in the future. For example, right now I can volunteer at my local library writing reviews on books I have read but I am still in high school. Much of my time can be spent volunteering for my library but it is in my best interest to work hard in school so that I have more money and time to give in college. Doing better in high school means I can get more college credit and reduce the money needed for tuition and associated costs. It also means that I will have more skills and better education that I can apply to the world around me. Community service is volunteer work but sometimes learning makes you more qualified to help others. In college, I intend to study chemical engineering and then pursue higher education in cellular engineering. My life is less based on my degree path, however, and more focused on the prospects of a future career in biotechnology. Biotechnology, defined as the exploiting of biological processes for benefit in one field or another, is my dream job. I have a periodic fever syndrome of unspecified type meaning my body will start inflammatory reactions with unknown causes. I have struggled with this since I was three and with a career in biotechnology, I could help kids like me not have to go through years and years of frustration; alternatively, I could help to combat the climate crisis through environmental biotechnology. Through research into things like carbon capture or algae cultivation, working in biotechnology could help me to prevent the world from falling into further environmental disrepair.