I am a high school senior, planning to attend North Dakota State University this coming fall. I am majoring in architecture, which has been my goal since I was a child. When I was around four years old, instead of drawing people and animals, I drew houses and buildings. In elementary school, my parents told me that there is a career specifically for designing structures; thus, my passion for architecture started. As the years progressed, so did my skill and love for architecture. Even now, I check out books at my local library, watch YouTube videos, and talk to architects in my community. However, growing up in suburban Minnesota and reading numerous books and articles brought attention to the positive professional and societal influence, but also its weaknesses. There is a lack of racial, ethnic, and gender representation in the professional architecture realm. As a Guatemalan-born female, I believe the art of architecture would greatly benefit from increased representation. By no means is unequal representation a reflection of current architects’ abilities. However, I believe in using my voice to positively impact others, advocating for the underrepresented or underestimated. Bringing a new voice into the architecture community results in fresh perspectives both structurally and socially. Being a Latina in architecture means actively providing opportunities for women and people of color to apply their architectural skills and passion in academic and professional settings. It is important to meet my objectives, but it is equally important for me to help others meet theirs. I will accomplish this by combining my interpersonal skills with my vision to support unique individuals and foster their growth through creating programs, classes, lectures, and mentorships. Drive and determination are integral to implementing it, not just dreaming of it. It is important that in encouraging others, my mindset is “how can I empower other women?” To make a difference involves an empathetic heart and professional expertise. Balance is necessary to be successful in this field. Strong female leaders with respect for their peers, passion for their profession, and love for people are needed in this modern age. Increased racial and gender representation begins with women or men willing to make a stand with integrity, innovation, and motivation at the forefront. During my academic and professional years, I will work to inspire women of all races and abilities because they are the future of architecture. I greatly appreciate your time in reading my scholarship essay. Thank you for the opportunity to apply!

I believe that having strong educators and leaders promoting personal practical application would encourage science education for myself and the students around me. Oftentimes, students I know stray from science-related topics and ideas because there is not enough effort in encouraging children to explore topics that pique their interest. Instead, teachers are teaching surface-level topics to provide a “well-rounded” understanding of science. While this is important, educators willing to help students find their interest in science are crucial. There is a need for teachers with a passion for children as much as science. I had a teacher who put an effort into finding areas of science that would inspire me. Because of this valuable experience in my earlier years, I am pursuing a degree in a STEM field to combat global warming by generating clean, green energy through architecture. Disease is a large scientific issue, but inspired researchers and doctors can improve diseases, positively impacting affected families. To address and combat global warming, we need impassioned advocates with a heart for nature and humanity. Fighting for accessible technology or clean drinking water requires scientists, humanitarians, and “regular” citizens wanting to improve the quality of life for those in their community and around the world. Great leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi identified issues in their community or others’ and addressed them. Their diligence and empathy inspired others then and in the future. It may be difficult to implement qualified, passionate teachers in every school, but just a few of these teachers may inspire the next generation. Perhaps twenty years in the future, these positively inspired individuals will be equipped with a love and passion for science. Whether for a career path or personal use, there are infinite areas of science to address various issues on a personal and social level. These are just a few areas that need passionate individuals with a desire for change. Inspiring this change starts with communities, such as schools, libraries, local organizations, and programs. This begins with a few individuals, perhaps spreading state-wide, nationally, and globally. Children are the next generation of the world and current educators and parents have the responsibility to nurture these future leaders, scientists, advocates, and entrepreneurs. Individuals with a love for both people and science would promote others’ and my interest in science. Thank you for your time in reading my essay.

My name is Sarah Savage and I am a high school senior. I am attending North Dakota State University this coming fall as an incoming freshman. I am majoring in architecture, which happens to be one of the most expensive majors that NDSU offers. Additionally, I will be attending for five years: four years undergraduate and the fifth year as a graduate student. I am the oldest of six children living on a one-income teacher’s salary. My parents have five kids going to college within four years, which will take a financial toll. While I am currently working full time at my job, it will be difficult for me to pursue a five-year architecture degree without the proper financial assistance. Additionally, I have the ambitious goal to graduate with little to no student loan debt. Therefore, this scholarship will equip me with the financial foundation to begin my academic and professional journey, with immediate and long-term effects. With this scholarship, I will begin my college year without a financial burden. This will promote exceptional work and attention toward my studies without financial distraction, which is an important value of mine. Additionally, receiving this scholarship would open up future doors for me in my professional career. During college, I would be able to work to save money for the years to come, instead of solely focusing on paying off my first year’s tuition. A scholarship of $10,000 is equal to earning $10,000 by working at a job. However, I would still be working the same amount regardless of this scholarship. This scholarship is not an excuse to be indolent, but to apply my hard work toward my future without past constraints. Professionally speaking, this scholarship will have a long-term effect, such as helping me achieve my long-term goal of opening up and owning my own architecture firm. As a Latina woman pursuing a degree in a STEM field, I want to bring a new voice into the field of architecture. I want to be a source of inspiration to people of all backgrounds and identities by representing creativity, empathy, and perseverance both inside and outside of my professional career. The receipt of this scholarship will provide numerous opportunities for me to impact those around me. As the oldest of six children, I strive to be a positive example to my younger siblings in my academic, athletic, and personal life. This scholarship would be wonderful in financially assisting me and showing me the process of affording college. Applying and receiving this scholarship would demonstrate to my siblings the importance of diligence and responsibility in pursuing further education. The world needs excellent leaders and role models and often that starts with those around us, such as family and friends. From this, inspirational growth will occur, which I hope to develop in the years to come. I aspire to positively impact my community by turning my dreams into a reality. By someday owning my own architecture firm, I want to bring new perspectives and ideas into the architecture field. However, there need to be more voices heard from women of all different backgrounds. Oftentimes, the lack of female representation is due to financial reasons and opportunities. Scholarships such as this are accessible to all; exposure is oftentimes lacking. By receiving this scholarship, I will bring awareness to the financial aspect of affording college by demonstrating the benefits of scholarship searching and applying. Additionally, I will demonstrate the long-term effects scholarships have on individuals. Therefore, my long-term goal expands to affect others and myself beneficially. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay.

If I had to choose one book for everyone in the world to read, I would choose the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. This dystopian novel is centered around a fireman whose job is to eliminate anything or anyone who promotes individuality, uniqueness, or interest in intellectual knowledge and truth. This totalitarian dystopian society outlaws independent thought, free speech, and individual expression. The novel covers topics such as censorship, oppression, and the value and impact books have on society. The reason everyone should read this book is that it covers topics that our current society faces, such as censorship and free expression. However, we need to be educated on how to handle these issues and fight back with our words and ideas, not violence and hate. It is necessary for us as the next generation to be exposed to different perspectives and unique stories apart from our own. This promotes a well-rounded, educated individual who can successfully recognize and address personal and societal needs to make a difference in their community and inspire others. Books are one of the most powerful influences on human behavior, belief, and change. Through Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury demonstrated the terrifying reality of a corrupt society that recognized the powerful influence of books and worked to suppress it. Books contain real ideas and human experience; censorship hinders these viewpoints. We need to realize this reality and advocate against it. It starts with a few people who spark this change, and I am going to be one of them.