From a young age, my fear of natural disasters and extreme weather sparked my curiosity and a desire to understand the impact of climate change. However, fear changed to concern after hearing my brother wheezing and watching him grabbing his chest as he was experiencing shortness of breath from playing outside on an ozone action day. He was rushed to urgent care and given breathing treatment. I thought he was going to die. Luckily, he was fine but I would never forget his experience. This personal experience not only deepened my desire to understand the connection between environmental health and human health and influenced my academic and career choices. It was a turning point that led me to pursue a career in environmental science and policy, driven by a passion to understand and reduce the impact of climate change on human health. My concern about my brother’s health led me to learn more about the environment. I watched weather documentaries and read "I Survived” books and became excited about science. But pursuing science came with challenges. You don’t see many women leading STEM classes or working in the profession and in high school, group work was difficult. I often felt out of place, overlooked, and underestimated. In science and math class, my contributions were frequently second-guessed, and I struggled to find peers who wanted to work with me. During my first year, I felt isolated and discouraged, questioning whether I could survive, let alone excel. The experience nearly pushed me away from STEM. However, with the support of my family and a few great teachers, I found my voice, learned to believe in myself, and proved that I belonged. In school, I learned about scientific studies that confirmed that human activities are leading to changes in the Earth's climate. School led me to volunteer work. I learned that I love engaging with people and at neighborhood and Earth Day cleanups and middle school science nights. My volunteerism led to an internship with a non-profit, the River Revitalization Foundation. Here I learned that microplastics are pervasive and difficult to filter out of water sources and food systems. Microplastics have only recently been identified as a widespread environmental and health concern; exposure's long-term effects are not fully understood. However, ongoing research indicates potential links to chronic health issues, including respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. Environmental issues feel immediate and pressing and are real threats to the community. This summer internship turned my admiration for the environment into a desire to study and educate others about the issues large urban cities face. My work involved data analysis, collaborating on rain garden installations, and attending community workshops. One impactful moment was collecting qualitative data by surveying people using public trails. Collecting surveys helped build my confidence in speaking, improve listening skills, navigate differing opinions, and step out of my comfort zone. I took this energy and confidence into this school year. I organized a student-led effort to provide information to educate students about the significance of voting and their role in shaping our democratic process. The goal was to empower students with knowledge about their voting rights, the electoral process, and the impact of their participation in elections. Becoming an environmental protector is also about advocacy. I was incredibly proud that the school administration shared my excitement. They supported the educational effort of the bipartisan voter information project and encouraged my desire to share resources with students. This experience deepened my commitment to studying environmental science and a desire to understand the root causes of our evolving climate crisis. I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering or Science with a minor in History. My passion for the environment reflects a commitment to contribute innovative solutions to create healthier communities where pollution doesn’t lead to kids visiting emergency rooms. I want to ensure a livable world for future generations. From a young age, my fear of natural disasters and extreme weather sparked my curiosity and a desire to understand the impact of climate change. However fear changed to concern after hearing my brother wheezing and grabbing his chest as he was experiencing shortness of breath from playing outside on an ozone action day. How did the air we breathe trigger such an alarming reaction? My brother’s struggles with asthma and allergies made me contemplate the connection between environmental health and human health. My concern about my brother led me to learn more about environmental issues. I spent more time watching weather documentaries and reading “I Survived” books. I also got excited about science. The challenge with science in high school is group work. In school I felt out of place. In science class I was overlooked. My freshman year I felt isolated and discouraged and wondered if I would survive, let alone excel. Few wanted to work with me and those I partnered with often fact checked my answers. The experience almost deterred me. With the support of my family and a few teachers, I found my voice, believed in myself, and proved I belong. In school I learned about scientific studies that confirmed human activities are leading to changes in the Earth's climate. To learn more about environmental science, I volunteered at neighborhood and Earth Day cleanups and middle school science nights. My volunteerism led to an internship with a non-profit, the River Revitalization Foundation. Here I saw firsthand how environmental issues like urban heat islands and air pollution disproportionately impact people living in urban areas and marginalized communities. I learned that microplastics are pervasive and difficult to filter out of water sources and food systems. Microplastics have only recently been identified as a widespread environmental and health concern, the long-term effects of exposure are not fully understood. However, ongoing research indicates potential links to chronic health issues, including respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. Studying environmental science is crucial for identifying and addressing pollutants that lead to chronic disease and unhealthy environments. These issues feel immediate and pressing and as real threats to the community. This River revitalization summer internship turned my admiration for the environment into a desire to study and educate others about the issues large urban cities face. My work involved data analysis, collaborating on rain garden installations, and attending community workshops. One impactful moment was collecting qualitative data by surveying people using public trails. Collecting surveys helped build my confidence in speaking, improve my listening skills, navigate differing opinions, and step out of my comfort zone. I took this energy and confidence into this school year. I organized a student-led effort to provide information to educate students about the significance of voting and their role in shaping our democratic process. The goal was to empower students with knowledge about their voting rights, the electoral process, and the impact of their participation in elections. I was extremely proud that the school administration shared my excitement. They supported the bipartisan voter information project educational effort and encouraged my desire to share resources with students. This experience deepened my commitment to studying environmental science or engineering and a desire to understand the root causes of our evolving environmental crisis. I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering or Environmental Science with a minor in History. My passion for environmental protection reflects a commitment to ensuring a livable world for future generations. This field will equip me with the knowledge and tools needed to understand the interactions between human activities and natural systems. I hope to contribute innovative solutions to halt the progression of climate change and create healthier communities.

Every generation has broken barriers; whether denied the right to learn to read and write or to fight to desegregate and access educational resources, the previous generation paves the way for the future. African Americans have a history of resilience, particularly in education. As a Black woman passionate about environmental science, attending and completing college is a personal goal and a continuation of that legacy. I strive to uphold the spirit of perseverance that my ancestors have defined by overcoming obstacles and inspiring others. Navigating majority white spaces in high school seems like a scene out of the 1960’s but it has been one of my most significant challenges. While I have achieved academic success, I have also experienced imposter syndrome. Self-doubt creeps in and I wonder if I truly belong in such a demanding space. However, I remind myself that Black women like Katherine Johnson and her contributions to NASA broke barriers in STEM—she also faced doubts and obstacles. Her determination, and that of other historical women, inspires me. Instead of being discouraged, I settle the knots in my stomach and share my angst with mentors to learn how to overcome my fears. The lessons learned are shared with younger classmates and friends, encouraging them to overcome their fears and apprehensiveness. Beyond academics, my participation in sports has taught me discipline, collaboration and perseverance. No matter how successful one is, there will always be someone stronger, faster, or more skilled. I've learned to accept constructive criticism, handle losses gracefully, and to face life's challenges with determination and integrity. Sports also reminds me that like many female athletes, double standards impact success. I want to help younger peers to stay positive when receiving negative feedback and managing stressful situations. Sharing my experiences with younger players about bouncing back and tips for balancing school work and athletics reminds me to stay motivated when experiencing moments of frustration. I encourage my teammates to remain committed and believe in their abilities, no matter their obstacles. Finally, I want to inspire change through my chosen career path in environmental science. My neighborhood is disproportionately affected by pollution, climate change, and chronic diseases. I am deeply concerned about these issues and believe that my education in environmental science can make a difference. As I do more research about this career path, Black women are noticeably missing. I see that there's a chance to make a difference by applying strategies and approaches implemented by environmental trail blazers like Hazel Johnson, who championed environmental justice in Chicago. I plan to use my education to create equitable solutions that uplift communities like mine and address issues plaguing community health. Notable women and their legacy of resilience, education, and service reminds me that overcoming challenges is only part of the journey—the true impact lies in uplifting others. Through my dedication to academics, mentorship, athletics, and environmental advocacy, I hope to inspire others to embrace education, break barriers, and persevere.

My generation is described as lazy, apathetic complainers who don’t want to work and are annoying because we want change, progress, and equality. I am far from these negative descriptions. This characterization motivates me to strive to do my best and dispel these stereotypes. Part of doing my best includes attending college. College is an opportunity to develop personally, narrow my academic focus, learn self-advocacy, and empower others. I plan to study Environmental Science and Engineering and minor in History in college. I recognize that the environmental issues we face today—urban heat islands, water quality, pollution, and increasing severe weather events—are not isolated incidents but are interconnected crises worsened by human activity. These issues feel immediate and pressing. Understanding that I cannot address them all, college will help to narrow my focus and identify my core academic and personal values. While all three of my interests are ways to address real threats to the world I will inherit, attending college will help increase my understanding and narrow my focus. While gaining academic knowledge is my primary motivation for attending college, I am also excited about learning to navigate the challenges adulthood brings. Independence, confidence, and making my own decisions are scary but necessary for personal growth. This is extremely important because people of color are often overlooked and excluded from conversations. I have experienced this many times in high school, where I was second-guessed and my contributions minimized. Attending college will provide opportunities to collaborate with others, expand my worldview, and find my voice. College also means learning to overcome obstacles and leading. College campuses are a place to engage in activism and advocate for oneself and others. Empowering others helps people realize their full potential and encourages them to take meaningful actions that contribute to positive change. I look forward to participating in activities that support diversity and inclusion and having access to mentors who will help me develop confidence, refine professional skills, and create a sense of belonging in spaces that might seem intimidating. College means gaining the confidence and skills to navigate those uncomfortable spaces, challenge stereotypes, and rise to positions of leadership. Finally, attending college means I’ll gain access to the tools necessary to demonstrate that my generation has a strong work ethic and is active, engaged, and determined to leave a lasting mark on the world. One of these marks is to make sure that members of BIPOC communities continue to contribute to the dialogue and have a seat at the table. As an African American woman, my goal is to study and educate others about environmental issues that impact the life outcomes of black and brown people. In reality, it impacts everyone, but it is important to note that ecological problems disproportionately affect the economically disadvantaged and people of color. My generation is far from lazy; striving for a healthy work-life balance, financial stability, and equality should be expected for all working people.

It is no secret that the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges driven by rapid technological advancements, capitalist pursuits, unchecked greed, and consumerism. I’ve watched countless documentaries about deforestation, plastic pollution, and extreme weather. But my summer internship inspired me to act. I usually spend summers riding bike trails, reading, and watching migrating birds, but this summer I spent time learning about environmental challenges in Southeastern Wisconsin. This summer internship turned my admiration for the environment into one of respect and a desire to study and educate others about the issues large urban cities face. I gained firsthand knowledge of how the conveniences we take for granted have a direct impact on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. I stumbled upon the internship after having a conversation at an annual Earth Day cleanup. This was my third year participating in the park clean up, but the first year picking up trash near the Milwaukee River. We found vaping cartridges, Styrofoam, plastic bottles, and a live mussel. Intrigued about the mussel, I spoke with a volunteer organizer about invasive species and learned about the overwhelming amount of microplastics in our water supply and an interesting internship. I recognize that the environmental issues we face today—urban heat islands, water quality, pollution, stormwater management, and increasing severe weather events—are not isolated incidents, but are interconnected crises worsened by human activity. These issues feel immediate and pressing and as real threats to the world I will inherit. Studying environmental science is crucial for combating these challenges. This field will equip me with the knowledge and tools needed to understand the interactions between human activities and natural systems. I hope to contribute innovative solutions to halt the progression of climate change. Another issue I noticed in environmental conversations is the role of capitalism and overconsumption. The drive for profit and growth has led to significant environmental deterioration, finding resources exploited beyond their capacity for renewal. This pursuit has resulted in problems including increased greenhouse gas emissions, widespread deforestation, and resource depletion. Addressing these root causes of environmental harm involves reevaluating and reforming these systems. In addition to systemic changes, addressing individual actions is critical. I have shared ideas with family and friends about reducing one’s carbon footprint. One suggestion is to eat less meat. Aside from supporting healthier life outcomes by lowering the risk of chronic diseases, the livestock industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water usage. By reducing meat consumption, we can lower our personal carbon footprints and lessen the environmental strain associated with animal agriculture. I also recommended making conscious choices about what we eat and where it comes from. My family now makes frequent trips to the farmers markets to support our local growers. We can all play a part in reducing environmental impact and promoting a healthier planet. I plan to study environmental science and/or engineering, while minoring in History. Understanding how we got to this point is crucial to making sure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. I am excited about using my studies to implement solutions that can reverse the damage done by previous generations and years of neglect. Ultimately, my passion for environmental protection reflects a commitment to ensuring a livable world for future generations. Through my studies, I will gain the education needed to address climate change and environmental damage. By advocating for system wide changes and encouraging practical, everyday actions, I hope to contribute to a broader movement toward sustainability. My commitment is not just personal, but a necessity for the broader well-being of our planet.