To create lasting change, I plan to tackle problems one day at a time. My passion for mechanical engineering comes from my belief in using innovative solutions to improve daily life within our communities. As a rising college freshman, I plan to pursue a degree in this field and a career focusing on quality of life, contributing positively to the world around me. At an early age, watching my father selflessly help others during the hurricane inspired me to pursue this career, where I can prioritize providing solutions for our community. Volunteering exposed me to environmental issues, which inspired my interest in using science and technology to solve these problems. Being unhoused while trying to pursue my education has been a struggle, amongst the other challenges homelessness brought. During this time, I had to try to study and submit assignments while on the road with nowhere to stay. Overcoming this has also taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and perseverance—skills that have become my academic staples. My firsthand experiences with adversity have allowed me to develop a unique perspective, making me more aware of the challenges others might face and the importance of helping them. I will pay it forward to my community in ways that I can. One memorable time volunteering at the Fern Forest Nature Center, clearing trails taught me the importance of local preservation and our social responsibility to do our part in whatever ways we can. These past experiences shaped my desire to give back to my community. As I continue my education, I plan on using the skills I learn to address these environmental issues and improve the quality of life for individuals in all communities. In this journey as the first engineer in my family, I am eager to work on projects that make daily life easier. The problem-solving skills needed by engineers can improve the lives of many others in tangible ways. I plan to use these skills to work on other projects addressing global issues, such as sustainability and climate change. I believe the knowledge and resources of the STEM field can significantly contribute to addressing these challenges. My educational goal is to obtain a high-quality education with a mechanical engineering degree, with a mission of positively impacting our homes and communities. However, achieving these goals is challenging without financial assistance, as covering tuition, textbooks, and living expenses is difficult without external support. Receiving this scholarship will help ease the financial strain of my education, allowing me to focus more on my studies, in turn, developing the expertise to build solutions.

To create lasting change, I plan to tackle problems one day at a time. My passion for mechanical engineering comes from my belief in using innovative solutions to improve daily life within our communities. As a rising college freshman, I plan to pursue a degree in this field and a career focusing on quality of life, contributing positively to the world around me. At an early age, watching my father selflessly help others during the hurricane inspired me to pursue this career, where I can prioritize providing solutions for our community. Volunteering exposed me to environmental issues, which inspired my interest in using science and technology to solve these problems. Being unhoused while trying to pursue my education has been a struggle, amongst the other challenges homelessness brought. During this time, I had to try to study and submit assignments while on the road with nowhere to stay. Overcoming this has also taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and perseverance—skills that have become my academic staples. My firsthand experiences with adversity have allowed me to develop a unique perspective, making me more aware of the challenges others might face and the importance of helping them. I will pay it forward to my community in ways that I can. One memorable time volunteering at the Fern Forest Nature Center, clearing trails taught me the importance of local preservation and our social responsibility to do our part in whatever ways we can. These past experiences shaped my desire to give back to my community. As I continue my education, I plan on using the skills I learn to address these environmental issues and improve the quality of life for individuals in all communities. In this journey as the first engineer in my family, I am eager to work on projects that make daily life easier. The problem-solving skills needed by engineers can improve the lives of many others in tangible ways. I plan to use these skills to work on other projects addressing global issues, such as sustainability and climate change. I believe the knowledge and resources of the STEM field can significantly contribute to addressing these challenges. My educational goal is to obtain a high-quality education with a mechanical engineering degree, with a mission of positively impacting our homes and communities. However, achieving these goals is challenging without financial assistance, as covering tuition, textbooks, and living expenses is difficult without external support. Receiving this scholarship will help ease the financial strain of my education, allowing me to focus more on my studies, in turn, developing the expertise to build solutions.

My first few experiences with sharing my art sparked something in me. When I heard my town would bring in authors for a local book signing. I wanted to help with the event, contributing my art skills. So that week, in between homework, I had dedicated myself to painting bookmarks that would be a gift to anyone who supported the authors who presented at the bookstore. I had taken my time with each, painting the details, then laminating it the next day. Not only was I able to give back to the bookstore, but I was also able to support the authors! Bob Ross has always been my inspiration. Even before my parents had bought me my first paint set, and sketchbook, he was my lens into the art world. Watching his captivating process of creating landscape paintings inspired me to create my own landscapes, displaying them at my local farmer's market. Presenting my art on those few Saturdays has evolved into launching PoetryandPainting.com. The goal was, in addition to my community, to reach people in other locations who wanted a painting in their home. With the requests for paintings of lost pets, the canvases I create for them bring comfort in their time of grief. Soon, I received pictures of my landscapes, and customized canvases of poems in different places in their homes. This journey of mine continued with the knowledge that I can provide a service to others, sharing the feeling I get whenever I look at a lovely painting. We need more positive and encouraging art and I believe I can be a good voice at helping young people like me to just be content and happy. My vision for the future includes coordinating art events in libraries and schools, empowering students to express themselves creatively. In the future, I aspire to paint live at weddings, a real-time capture for couples' memorable moments. As I continue to grow with PoetryandPainting, I get more excited for how I will be able to make a positive impact. What had started with my love for painting, turned into sharing my art with others, for others. I hope to keep sharing my art, expanding to more than the canvas. Being able to make differences for communities, and getting to make someone’s day better, is now something I always look forward to.

“Have you ever thought about sharing your art with others?” my dad asked. Until that point, I hadn’t. It never crossed my mind that others would want to see it, or even like it. A sketch has gotten me through rough moments. With landscape paintings, the stroke of my paintbrush gives me calm after a long day at school. I hadn’t thought about sharing with others until my dad mentioned it. “Sleep on it,” my dad said. “If you want, we can head to the farmers market, set up a table and try to share your art with others. Some people might like it. Maybe.” What started as a question blossomed into forming meaningful bonds and bringing a sense of joy and togetherness to our community. That question has resulted in my greatest achievement so far, when I started PoetryandPainting. During Covid-19, my life was tossed upside down, like a falafel. As a result, I picked up painting seriously and it was a great outlet for me. Between schoolwork and having to stay indoors most of the time, I’d managed to find a sense of balance and calm with the strokes of my brush. One of the things I decided to do was go to farmers markets and sell my art in person. And I loved it! Live painting a custom canvas for someone in under 20 minutes seemed impossible, let alone showcasing my art to others. Seated under my booth, I surveyed the bustling crowd, anxiety making my palms sweat. Or maybe that was the hot sun. I was able to make an idea and help others in my own way. Although, it wasn’t all smooth sailing at first. I was afraid when I started setting up my painting stand, watching people pass. Seated under my booth, I surveyed the bustling crowd, anxiety making my palms sweat. Or maybe that was the hot sun. Then I remembered why I had to persevere, what drove me out here on that Saturday in the first place: providing personalized, uplifting art for others to cherish in their homes, sharing the feeling I get after looking at one of my paintings. I had something to bring to the table, quite literally. As I talked with the first customer at the table under my booth, I became less anxious about the painting, and how it would look when I was done. I’ve learnt I could overcome my fear of public speaking. Eventually, with my dad as the poet, we’ve made numerous pieces with a customized poem and painting on canvases. Soon enough, we were able to launch PoetryandPainting.com. I'm now able to create art for more people, extending beyond my local community! With the requests for paintings of lost pets, the canvases I create for them bring comfort in their time of grief. This journey of mine continued with the knowledge that I can provide a service to others. Within a few months, I had the chance to teach an art class in a small town outside of Spokane. Before I learnt I didn’t have to be afraid of public speaking, this wouldn’t have been possible. Working with the community center director and city hall, we planned a hands-on poetry and painting event. The concept was simple: I would teach the participants to write a four-sentence poem or a haiku, then how to paint a single flower stem with a flower petal. People of different ages and backgrounds were able to walk home with a small canvas of their own. I was able to teach them the fundamentals of art to keep at it, with the hope they get to harness their own feelings of positivity whenever they paint again. My vision for the future includes coordinating art events in libraries and schools, empowering students to express themselves creatively. Moreover, I aspire to paint live at weddings, a real-time capture for couples' memorable moments. As I continue to grow this company, I get more excited for how I will be able to make a positive impact. What had started with my love for painting, turned into sharing my art with others, for others. I hope to keep sharing my art, expanding to more than the canvas. Being able to make differences for communities, and getting to make someone’s day better, is now something I always look forward to.

“Have you ever thought about sharing your art with others?” Until that point, I hadn’t. It never crossed my mind that others would want to see it, or even like it. “Sleep on it,” my dad said. “If you want, we can head to the farmers market.” During Covid-19, life was tossed upside down, like a falafel. I picked up painting seriously and it was a great outlet for me. Between schoolwork and having to stay indoors most of the time, I’d managed to find a sense of balance and calm with the strokes of my brush. One of the things I decided to do was go to farmers markets and sell my art in person. And I loved it! Live painting a custom canvas for someone in under 20 minutes seemed impossible, let alone showcasing my art to others. Seated under my booth, I surveyed the bustling crowd, anxiety making my palms sweat. Or maybe that was the hot sun. I remembered why I wanted to brave through it: providing personalized, uplifting art for others to cherish in their homes. I had something to bring to the table, quite literally. I was able to make an idea, and help others in my own way. Thanks to my passion for art, I have grown a passion for event planning for communities. I plan to keep on creating meaningful connections, and bridging the gaps of our differences. This initial idea, executed on a hot Saturday, blossomed into a website: poetryandpainting.com. I'm now able to create art for more people, extending beyond my local community! Some customers requested paintings of their lost pets, bringing comfort in their time of grief. I’ve even received a few pictures of my canvas with their furry friend in their homes. This passion of mine continued with the knowledge that I can provide a service to others. I’d been given the exciting opportunity to teach an art to my community: Working with an official from the city hall, we planned an event for a town for a few hours on a weekend. In a span of the afternoon, I again witnessed the sense of accomplishment and joy that art brought to people of different ages and backgrounds. My goal is to use art as a tool for emotional expression, personal growth, and community connection, ultimately creating a lasting, positive impact on both individuals and society. Being able to make differences for communities, or simply making someone’s day better is always something I strive for. I hope to keep sharing my art, expanding to more than the canvas. I used to drive by walls around my city, filled with motivational graffiti. I’ve loved seeing it, the otherwise blank walls now had a positive message I could look at on my way to school. Being able to help create those projects for people across the world would be amazing. Coordinating events in libraries, painting with students in schools is something I’d also like to initiate in the future. I’d be grateful a dream of mine: the opportunity to paint live at weddings, an on the spot capture of a couple’s memorable moment. As I continue to grow my career, I get more excited for how I will be able to make a positive impact for others.

I’ve survived. In my last year of high school, I’m getting ready for the next chapter as the graduating class of 2024. His footprints have always been alongside mine. He’s been with me. Always. My relationship with Jesus affected my faith by giving me strength to overcome situations. It made me more confident in dealing with what life throws at me, and has made me more hopeful, excited even for my future. During Covid-19, life was tossed upside down, like a falafel. I picked up painting seriously and it was a great outlet for me. Between schoolwork and having to stay indoors most of the time, I’d managed to find a sense of balance and calm with the strokes of my brush. One of the things I decided to do was go to farmers markets and sell my art in person. And I loved it! Showing my art to others was something I didn’t think I could do. Painting a canvas for them, in under 20 minutes, on the spot, was also something that seemed far out of reach. As I sat at the booth, I looked at all the people milling around. I was afraid that when folks would come to me I would not know what to say. Or worse yet, what if they don’t like the canvas I made them? Not too long into the farmers market, I heard a voice saying not to worry. Others will appreciate that I’m making something specifically for them. As I talked with them under my booth, I became less anxious about the painting, how it would look when I was done. I was afraid when I started setting up my painting stand, watching people pass. I built a website called poetry and paniting.com. Now I get to paint for people anywhere, not just for the people in my community. For a few, I’ve been able to paint lost pets. What had started with watching me talk about my love for painting, turned into sharing my art with others, for others. If not for listening to that voice on that Saturday, I would’ve missed this opportunity. With many instances like that one, I’ve been more willing to listen as I prepare for college. I’m excited to be a mechanical engineering major. My hope is that within the STEM field, I will be exposed to opportunities to build solutions to problems. I hope that what I learn in college with my engineering major can be applied anywhere, for anyone that needs it. As I continue my education, I will keep reminding myself that I can do anything. Whether facing a problem that seems impossible, or not knowing the right mistake, I’ll keep reminding myself that He will always be there for me. Leaning on the Holy Spirit, I can overcome anything, be guided to make the right decisions. As I continue to college I hope to keep in mind Psalm 56:3: ‘Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.’ Looking back, I know he has always been there, even when it didn’t feel like it. I’m grateful to know He’s always by me. He’s looking over my shoulder as I answer the last questions on my finals. I’m never alone when making tough decisions. Jesus hears me in my prayers. Anxious days as a student. What if I don’t ace that test? What if I miss a deadline? Whenever I have worries, I know to let go and let God. When I have done all I can, there’s nothing more for me to do but to pray.

My interest for engineering stemmed from my love for the environment. As young as 7, nature shows, any topic on wildlife were of interest to me. I’d convinced my parents to buy me a butterfly catcher. In Florida, anywhere I looked I was surrounded by lush green. Every other year, I’d see an animal I didn’t know was native there. Even a 5-foot-tall wood stork, nearly as tall as me at the time! Every other National Geographic episode I’ve seen were problems animals were having in the wild. A few times, the problem that needed to be solved were the interactions with humans in their habitats, or animals passing through a road, as they didn’t have any other safe ways of travel. In the same season, a highway would be built that helped the people in that same community get to work with a faster time. tackling environmental issues with a technical approach was something that caught my eye. It had evidently made differences, and helps many people. Years later, my dad showed me that I don’t need to wait until I have a degree to make an impact. It was a regular Saturday. My dad had finished making us tuna sandwiches. What had started with watching me talk about my love for painting, turned into sharing my art with others, for others. Within the next months, I started helping people in my own way through my company called Poetry and Painting. I make customized paints for others in my community. And I loved it! I developed intake forms to for people to tell me what they’d like painted. I use JotForm and Google Docs to manage their orders. The site was full of dropdowns to make the ordering more user friendly. Making adjustments with my team, at the end of the day, I was able to hand off the canvases to their owners. I believe art is for everyone, so I started finding ways to share it. I started off small, within the few miles of my town. Soon, I had the chance to teach an art class to my community. They were able to walk home with a small canvas of their own. Working with an official from the city hall, we planned an event for a town. I truly enjoyed making the paintings for people in my community. Between working with my team to manage the communications between customers, scheduling with event organizers, I enjoyed every step of the process. My hope is that within the STEM field, I will be exposed to opportunities to build solutions to problems, maybe even make daily machines better. There are many places in the world that could use an engineer. A problem somewhere between coasts that require construction for better transportation for the citizens, fueled by solar panels. A problem that hasn’t been seen yet, but could make a certain part of our life easier. I plan on improving the daily life of people in every community. I hope that what I learn in college with my engineering major can be applied anywhere, for anyone that needs it. Whether engineering something to help the people from different communities, or even building something to help other wildlife around the world, I’m looking forward to be able to create working systems that can improve the world’s way of life. Pursing a degree in STEM allows me to find solutions to problems, and allows me to do so in practical ways.