Life changing events can happen on seemingly ordinary afternoons. Just one sentence was able to revolutionize my future. When my mom announced, “Get ready for the Science Olympiad open house!” my reaction was one of bewilderment. I had never heard of Science Olympiad and was entirely unaware of the commitment I was headed toward. As she tried to explain the process of signing up for events and taking tests at competitions, my confusion only compounded. “What is she talking about?” I thought. I dutifully dragged myself to the open house, even though my calendar was already filled to the brim. Upon my arrival to the meeting, my anxiety soon shifted to amazement as I perused the posters detailing the subjects I could study - all aspects of science from anatomy to engineering. I was overwhelmed but excited to learn and explore science at a higher level. I eagerly signed up for multiple events (which took mere minutes), and then spent several months learning and preparing for competition season. To my surprise, I was scheduled to fill in for a teammate competing in the “Water Quality” event at the Regional tournament. I had never been to a preparatory meeting or studied this subject before, and I only had a week to cram for the test. Despite this limited time to familiarize myself with the event, I became fascinated with the aquatic world, its unique ecology, and the impacts of pollution and human activity. I was amazed at how little I knew about the most vital ecosystem and resource we have on Earth - water! After speedily studying all the material I could get my hands on in a week, I managed to earn sixth place. While it wasn’t a medal, my placement contributed to my team’s advancement to the state tournament. More importantly though, the experience also piqued my interest in environmental science. Each of these microscopic coincidences combined to create an opportunity for me to develop my curiosity in environmental science - I had not intended to join Science Olympiad, but once I did, I was fascinated. This commitment led to my spontaneous involvement in the water quality subject, which inspired my enthusiasm for environmental science. It began as an incidental commitment and evolved into an earnest interest. I realized that my true passion was in environmental science. By discovering this at such a young age, I was able to adjust my academic pursuits to further prepare for my future. I have now studied nearly every science course offered at my school, continued to participate in Science Olympiad, and attended an intensive marine biology program at UBC this summer - all in preparation for my future collegiate studies. In retrospect, Science Olympiad became more than a competition. It has helped me realize that my passions could be incorporated into a future career, encouraged me to dive deeper into my education, and supported my interests in science. My experience has taught me that uncomfortable and unpredictable situations can foster personal growth and discovery. Science Olympiad provided the impetus for me to indulge my enthusiasm for science and solidified my desire for a career dedicated to understanding and preserving the natural world. I plan to major in environmental science and look forward to investigating the intricacies and wonders of our planet.

In 6th grade, I realized that I was spending more time and mental energy on homework than with family and friends. Additionally, my parents had to devote extra time to working in order to afford the private school tuition, leaving even less time for us to spend together. While private school had its benefits, the workload was excessive and academic pressure I placed on myself at a young age was counterproductive. This led me to switch to homeschooling, which, though daunting at first, turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. By taking a more independent and individualized approach to my education, I was granted the freedom to explore the world of science in more detail and tailor the lessons to subjects that interested me. I was also able to move through material at my own pace and developed the most effective methods of study for myself. Homeschooling also encouraged me to join my local Science Olympiad club, where I took an even deeper dive into STEM topics and discovered my passion for environmental science. Because of this series of events, I found my true passion at a young age, which allowed me to more thoroughly prepare myself for my future studies in college and beyond. This scholarship would aid me immensely as I pursue a higher education in Environmental Science and balance the cost of tuition, books, technology, and board. I truly appreciate your consideration and time!