Having lived in the Caribbean for a few years, if anyone knows what a hurricane is like, it’s me. Every year, there was always a new tropical storm or hurricane which would sweep over the small island of the Commonwealth of Dominica and take out power for days or weeks. I specifically remember Hurricane Maria from 2017, the Category 5 storm that knocked out electricity nationwide for over a year. Luckily, countrywide power outages did not affect us as a family, and as a result, I became interested in alternative power sources to the electrical grid. From Dominica, my family then moved back to America, and in 2023, I took an Independent Research class in which I studied how four-dimensional shapes could be applied to solar energy production. From that research, and with help from my ever-wise Mom, I came up with an idea that both satisfies my curiosity and provides a potential solution for communities worldwide. The Tesseract Solar Box (TSB) is essentially a device that captures and stores solar energy and can power other (larger) devices like appliances or maybe even home electrical systems. TSBs can also be stacked to create the effect of multiple batteries working to power any given system. While still in the design stage, a TSB will be shaped like a tesseract, which is a 4-dimensional shape that can also rotate to efficiently capture solar energy no matter the position of the Sun. Scholarship funding will allow me to remain in school to study and further develop the TSB. My family is unable to provide funds, so a scholarship is essential to access the resources needed to complete a TSB model. In the future, I plan to develop floatable TSBs that can be used in riverine communities, during and after severe weather events and as an affordable source of energy in electricity-poor communities and countries around the world. I also hope to use a STEM degree to build other devices inspired by the fourth dimension of space that help with people’s physical needs. One potential idea that I need to research is the combining of an engineered replica of hyperspherical cross-sections with electromagnetic wave scattering for cancer research. Now that I’m in college, I’ve already met a teacher who is extremely knowledgeable about four (and higher) dimensions, and he’s been a great inspiration to me as I look for career fields that heavily utilize the concept of four-dimensional shapes. The only issue I face now is the burden of my school’s tuition. Being selected for the Bright Lights Scholarship would enable me to continue my college education, but also to continue my volunteer efforts (I have volunteered at the Salvation Army for the last 2 years), network with professionals, and give me the opportunity to one day interact with the communities that will be affected by my work. Lastly, my passion for gaining knowledge and using it to help others goes beyond mathematical research. In fact, I recently started a YouTube channel so as to spread awareness of four-dimensional shapes and hopefully earn some income from streaming revenue. I hope to also share my experiences with earning money through surveys, gig work and other ventures I currently participate in. My personal struggles with finances have inspired me to help others dealing with the same thing. And I don’t want to stop with what I’ve come to so far- there’s more to see, more to learn, and more to teach.

My future self reasons through situations with a mature outlook and they are the inventor of multiple 4D-inspired machines, a Vassar graduate, and a well-rounded, godly person who has fulfilled their purpose on Earth.

"Get Out Of Your Head," by Jennie Allen was a book that changed my life. I read it during my senior year of high school and it talks about how our thoughts shape our lives, how, if care is not taken to stop those spiraling (usually self-condemning) thoughts that most of us struggle with, then those things running through our heads will manifest themselves in our lives. Although that may sound very "deep" and insightful (and it is), it's also fairly obvious in hindsight. At the time, I was grappling with insecurity and putting way too much emphasis on the opinions of the people at school. And because I was constantly questioning where my relationships with people stood, I resorted to being reserved and, whenever I was in the presence of friends or classmates, I behaved in a manner that was unnecessarily awkward and shifty. And I found that a lot of people my age also struggled with that. Coming to college and finding out that people don't care that much made me love the novel even more; Jennie Allen was right that "it's all in your head." The book taught me that I have to stop thinking of myself as a "shy guy" if I want to stop being one in practice. And it's working! Now, I've started finding my people and I feel much more confident. The book showed me that by stopping spiraling thoughts like, "What does this person think? Do I look weird right now? Was that the right thing to say?", I could stop myself from arriving at the typical conclusion: "Gosh, I'm so weird." Furthermore, I love how the author used a variety of her personal experiences with anxiety to illustrate the principles she was describing. As a mom, minister, wife, coworker and more, she's had plenty of practice! Lastly, the book also spoke about faith as an anchor to encourage us when our thoughts have us feeling down, which deeply resonated with me. It showed me that by changing our entire reason for living, by choosing to shift the focus off of ourselves and be selfless, to live for the good of others rather than merely our own, we can stop the cycle of negative self-thinking. We can stop the depression and anxiety that are at sky-high rates among the people of my generation, and people can begin to experience true joy.

My career exploration has always been a choice between two: math and engineering. I’ve had a lifelong love of both mathematics which even I don't remember the origin of. But then, when I found out about the possibilities contained within mechanical engineering, to make cool machines, it also intrigued me. From there, the process of choosing between the two began and from there, my final decision was made this year as I prepare for college. But first, let's go back in time to when I was six. After playing Jetpack Joyride, I was inspired by the "Profit Bird" and decided to create my own cardboard replica of the device, thinking that it would fly just like the machine in the game. My replica was made to go around my waist, with wings on the sides. So I went outside when it was fiercely windy and jumped around, flapping the wings of my creation frantically, actually expecting to start flying. Hilariously, although it was disappointing at the time, my cardboard waist brace was just that and not a high-tech flight machine. However, in retrospect, that experience showed me just how much I love the idea of creative machine building. Fast forward to my latter years in high school. After taking a multivariable calculus course in my junior year, I became curious about the concept of higher dimensions. My teacher suggested I look further into it and I did. It turns out that the fourth dimension indeed existed, prompting the question, "What is it useful for, if anything?" So in my senior year, I took an Independent Research class and decided to study four-dimensional shapes. The concept of a fourth dimension of space is just "out there" enough to be an intriguing topic to many math nerds like myself, but because it's one dimension higher than ours, it's easily comprehended via analogy. I believe 4D can change the world, shown by the Tesseract Solar Box, or TSB. The Tesseract Solar Box (TSB) is a device that captures and stores solar energy and charges other (individual) devices or home electrical systems. TSBs can also be stacked to create the effect of multiple batteries working to power any given system. I’m working on a version that can float. I have drafted the general idea of the device. Although it is yet to be, it can be a viable option in developing countries where the lack of electricity can go on for weeks on end. One such place is Nigeria, where my mother was born. Nigerians always joke about the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) “taking their light”. I would love to be able to do something about that problem. Part of my fulfillment in my career is found in its potential to help the people around me. And as a plus, this idea is much more realistic than my video-game-inspired flappy bird. Math and engineering, what a dilemma it was. For the longest while, I thought I had to choose between these two fields, and I would occasionally think about which I loved more. However, when I realized that I could major in applied mathematics in college, I found out that it's possible to combine both of my interests into one career field. And then when I found out about the fourth dimension of space, I found exactly what I want to do in the future. And guess what? It's a perfect mix.

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact on the world? (400-600 words) I want to make a positive impact on the world through science and creativity. Having lived in the Caribbean for a few years, if anyone knows what a hurricane is like, it’s me. Every year, there was always a new tropical storm or hurricane which would sweep over the small island of the Commonwealth of Dominica and take out power for days or weeks. I specifically remember Hurricane Maria from 2017, the Category 5 storm that knocked out electricity nationwide for over a year. Experiences such as these left me very grateful that our house at the time was equipped with solar power, meaning that countrywide power outages did not affect us as a family. From Dominica, I then moved to America, and took several math courses in my high school, including one semester of multivariable calculus, which got me thinking about a possible fourth dimension. This was followed by an Independent Research class, in which I studied how four-dimensional shapes could be applied to solar energy production. And from that research, I came up with an idea that both satisfies my curiosity and provides a potential solution for communities worldwide. The Tesseract Solar Box (TSB) is a device that captures and stores solar energy and charges other (individual) devices or home electrical systems. TSBs can also be stacked to create the effect of multiple batteries working to power any given system. I’m working on a version that can float. I have drafted the general idea of the device. Although it is yet to be, it can be a viable option in developing countries where lack of electricity can go on for weeks on end. One such place is Nigeria, where my mother was born. Nigerians always joke about the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) “taking their light”. I would love to be able to do something about that problem. However, to bring these ideas into fruition, I need a solid grasp of topology and a good handle on engineering, which is why I was hoping to pursue an applied mathematics degree in the future, which would then enable me to impact the world. I’m also working on getting all of these ideas patented. It is my hope to make a positive impact on the world by creating machines, inspired by four-dimensional shapes, specifically designed to meet people's practical needs.

I hope to one day create the Tesseract Solar Box (TSB), a device that will revolutionize solar energy production, especially in developing countries. A tesseract (or 4D hypercube) is essentially a cube within another cube, with both connected at the vertices. The tesseract is also made up of eight (8) separate cubic compartments; that’s another way of describing the same shape. This is the shape of the TSB. The Tesseract Solar Box will be equipped with a solar panel on its topmost square face. The solar panel will rotate from the horizontal top face onto the vertical faces to the left and to the right. The rotation would collect solar energy, more than a fixed panel would. The energy gathered will be stored in the innermost cube of the TSB. Each compartment controls its section of the TSBs functions. For example, the rotating solar panel is controlled by the topmost “compartment” of the Tesseract. The equipment for the single-axis solar tracker can be put in that compartment, and the rotation of the solar panel can be controlled by maybe mounting a pole to a rotating wheel at the bottom of the innermost cube of the Tesseract, then mounting a solar panel on the other end of that pole. Then, the panel can rotate from the vertical square(s) of the tesseract to the top face and so on. One of the four vertical square faces of the TSB can be for the user interface, and the deformed cubic compartment directly behind it can contain the technology for the user interface, namely for controlling the on and off functions of the TSB and the rotation of the solar panel. Another one of the vertical square faces (directly opposite of the one intended for the user interface) can be a back access panel, allowing access even to the innermost cube of the tesseract. Should there ever be a problem with the technology, an expert can get into the device and fix it. The innermost cube can be used for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, arranged within the inner cube but around the rotating motor. The point of the TSB is to power buildings and not necessarily solar farms, though that is also an option. Therefore, TSBs can be mounted to the ground around people’s houses to power their homes or their appliances. That energy can then be rerouted to power devices or maybe even homes. My goal is to take the TSB to developing nations like those I spent some time in when I lived in the Caribbean, to provide electricity to places that either don't have a stable power grid or simply need a backup power source. And because certain ethnic groups and geographical regions in the world statistically tend to have less access to basic needs, including energy, it also simplifies the process of determining where these devices should primarily be sent to, because I know who needs them the most, in general. One major reason I even embarked on the research for the TSB in the first place is that I felt there was a consensus in the scientific and mathematical communities that the fourth dimension was an interesting but ultimately useless theoretical concept. Therefore, I sought to change that perception, blazing a trail of my own in that respect. I hope my research serves underserved communities in countries all around the world, but most especially those who don’t have access to one of the most basic human needs (these days): electricity. I’m currently in the process of getting this patented and creating a write-up for the assembly of this proposed device.

Having spent a sizable chunk of my childhood living in the Caribbean, I know what it’s like to be hit by a weather system every year, and have power go out for months. Thankfully, the house I lived in was equipped with solar power, which spared my family and I from the nationwide power outages that resulted. However, this showed me the value and potential of solar energy. When I later moved back to America, I started taking a GT Independent Research class. Being a major math nerd and a naturally curious person, I started researching how four-dimensional shapes can be applied to solve some practical problem people have. This was incredibly challenging, as four-dimensional shapes didn't seem to have many existing uses in practical life. I was considering changing course altogether, and just treating the fourth dimension as time, maybe looking instead into bioengineered shape-changing materials. But, when the idea of the TSB came to me one sunny afternoon in November, I realized it was possible to "do my own thing", in a sense. My research so far resulted in an object called the TSB, which is a tesseract shaped contraption. For context, a tesseract is a four-dimensional cube structured as a ‘cube within a cube connected at the vertices’. Therefore, the TSB would also come equipped with square faces on its exterior. I simply took the model of a tesseract and overlaid specific functions of the TSB onto different parts of its surface, and it shaped up really well! The Tesseract Solar Box will be equipped with a solar panel on its topmost square face. This enables the TSB to function like a rechargeable battery; the solar panel rotates to collect solar energy which is stored in the innermost cube of the TSB. That energy can then be rerouted to power devices or maybe even homes. My goal is to take the TSB to developing nations like those I spent some time in when I lived in the Caribbean, to provide electricity to places that either don't have a stable power grid, or simply need a backup power source. And because certain ethnic groups, and geographical regions in the world statistically tend to have less access to basic needs, including energy, it also simplifies the process of determining where these devices should primarily be sent to, because I know who needs them the most, in general. One major reason I even embarked on the research for the TSB in the first place is because I felt there was a general consensus in the scientific and mathematical communities that the fourth dimension was an interesting but ultimately useless theoretical concept. Therefore, I sought to change that perception, blazing a trail of my own in that respect. I hope my research serves underserved communities in countries all around the world, but most especially those who don’t have access to one of the most basic human needs (these days): electricity. I’m currently in the process of getting this patented and creating a write-up for the assembly of this proposed device.

I still remember the day I found out that my parents were going to get a divorce. At the time, we were fleeing from an island in the Caribbean where we’d spent the last six years of our lives. My mom had taken my older sister to the side and told her the news, and my sister was crying and hugging my mom. My brother and I could see her from across the airport but we didn’t understand what was going on. So I just decided to file that away and we went to catch our flight. From there, we embarked on a weeks-long journey up from Texas, through Mississippi, through to Virginia until we finally reached Maryland. We were leaving behind the past and the marriage my mom had to a manipulative man. From there, life started afresh for us, and we finally moved together as a family. But then, as part of the divorce, an international court battle over child custody began, taking place both in the U.S and in the Caribbean as well. By the judgment of that court, my siblings and I were separated from our mom to go live with the other parent, although we all wanted to stay with her. But then, a subsequent court case resulted finally in a favorable ruling; we were allowed to live with our mom in America. Although the split of my family really saddened me at first, I came to realize that it was, in a way, a blessing in disguise. Coming to America opened up a number of opportunities, such as the concept of AP and GT classes for example, which I didn’t have prior to my coming here. For example, I’m currently taking a GT Independent Research class, and I’m researching how four-dimensional shapes can be applied to solar energy production. I settled on an object called the TSB which can rotate a solar panel on its top face towards the Sun at any point of the day, leading to more efficient solar energy production. Also, the cube-within-a-cube shape of a tesseract would allow this contraption to be more than capable of housing all the mechanical components needed to make this feasible; it’s like having a room within a room, and different mechanical components can be put in each. Not only academically, my life has also grown in other ways too. I’ve grown closer to my faith since coming to America. My family bonds have also grown; whereas my siblings and I used to fight and argue all the time, nowadays we get along very well and our household is characterized by peace. Although tragedy struck my family, my coming to America enabled me to turn lemons into lemonade and start afresh, maybe even on a better foot this time. I hope my story shows me leading by example.

Having lived in the Caribbean for a few years, if anyone knows what a hurricane is like, it’s me. Every year, there was always a new tropical storm or hurricane which would sweep over the small island of Dominica and take out power for days or weeks. I specifically remember Hurricane Maria from 2017, the Category 5 storm that knocked out electricity nationwide for over a year. Experiences such as these left me very grateful that our house at the time was equipped with solar power, meaning that countrywide power outages did not affect us as a family. From Dominica, I then moved to America, and took several math courses in my high school, including one semester of multivariable calculus, which got me thinking about a possible fourth dimension. I then took an Independent Research class, in which I studied how four-dimensional shapes could be applied to solar energy production. And from that research, I came up with an idea that both satisfies my curiosity and provides a potential solution for communities worldwide. The Tesseract Solar Box (TSB) is essentially a device that captures and stores solar energy and can charge up/power other (larger) devices like appliances or maybe even home electrical systems. TSBs can also be stacked to create the effect of multiple batteries working to power any given system. It’s solar-powered and I’m working on a version that can float. It is of course in the shape of a tesseract, and it has not been built yet, but I have drafted the general idea of the device. I wanted to make the TSB portable as well and take it to developing countries, or places like the Caribbean where other houses lost power yearly, or Nigeria (another place of my heritage) where the national electrical system cuts electricity at random. Nigerians always joke about the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) “taking their light”; I’d love to be able to do something about that problem. I hope to use a STEM degree to build things like the TSB, specifically, other devices inspired by the fourth dimension of space that help with people’s physical needs. I was looking into combining hyperspherical cross-sections with electromagnetic wave scattering for cancer research. I also wanted to use the pentachoron to concentrate light. But to bring these ideas into reality, I need a solid grasp of topology and a good handle on engineering, which is why I was hoping to pursue an applied mathematics degree in the future.

So to be honest, I’ve always loved math a little bit more than the physical sciences. Since my earliest days, math class has been my favorite and science my second favorite. So when it came time to consider future career fields, although I initially chose engineering as my fallback, once I learned about applied mathematics, I settled on that instead. However, the one thing I love about applied mathematics is that with it, I can combine my love for math and my love for engineering into one degree. I’m currently independently researching four-dimensional shapes and their practical applications in everyday life. One way in which I want to apply 4D shapes is to use solar energy. This required me to research how solar panels work, how to create solar panel systems that can rotate to face the Sun, and so on. I settled on an object called the TSB which can rotate a solar panel on its top face towards the Sun at any point of the day, leading to more efficient solar energy production. Also, the cube-within-a-cube shape of a tesseract would allow this contraption to be more than capable of housing all the mechanical components needed to make this feasible; it’s like having a room within a room and different mechanical components can be put in each. It showed me just how engineering fits in for me as a field I’d like to pursue as an application for mathematics. As part of my research, I’m also exploring 4D printing. To me, it’s a potential overlap of construction and cool science, with a mathematical tinge to it. Specifically, I was researching how 3D printed materials could assemble themselves into basic four-dimensional shapes such as the tesseract and how that property could be very useful on a larger, architectural scale in cases of weather or climate events to promote resiliency. I’m working on a 4D printed structure that will mold itself into a tesseract when placed in hot temperatures to provide shelter from the Sun in warm climates. This 4D printed structure will unfold itself, and then makeshift walls can be inserted in between the spaces of the wireframe models. Furthermore, my research has caused me to fall in love with 3D modeling and look more deeply into 3D printing as well, both of which are vital components in engineering-related fields. I use software apps like Blender to model the geometric designs of products I one day hope to create. And that’s why I greatly respect fields such as engineering, architecture, and construction. To me, they are among the most important but also the most obvious outworkings of mathematical principles. I hope to be considered for this scholarship.

My mom has always been into extracurricular activities since her childhood. Therefore when she had me and my siblings, she insisted we take part in extracurriculars of our choice as well. It was actually at her gentle insistence that I started volunteering at the Salvation Army of Howard County. I’ve been going there since January 2021, and have since done over 130 hours of community service there. Although I initially went to fulfill my graduation service learning requirements, I fell in love with the community there and have been going ever since. The Salvation Army is within walking distance and it creates a sense of community. For instance, I remember a boy who I met in the summer of 2022. He came from Baltimore County to complete service hours because he was on probation. At first, given what I knew about him, I was suspicious. But as we worked together, we got to know each other better and I realized I’d misjudged him. I got to welcome him into my space and he did the same for me. The Salvation Army also organizes monthly food drives during the warmer months and these bring the neighborhood together. I get to see friends and meet new people who I later recognize. Not only that, it provides food to needy families and even those who aren’t in dire need can come and get a box or two of provisions. Plus, as a volunteer, I always get to take back food for my own family! I also participate in extracurriculars at my school. I’m a member of the school’s Rooted in Christ club. In addition to simply being a faith-based club, in Rooted in Christ we also do service activities. My participation in this club is motivated by my Christian faith but also by my interest in making friends, which comes naturally in this club. Earlier this year in February, we participated in Teens for Jeans, an initiative that provided, among other things, jeans for the needy in our community. We also wrote letters of gratitude to stationed service members. Furthermore, we hold in-school cookie parties every year, open to all students. Many non-members come to eat with us and socialize with their friends. It helps to bring all the students together. I’ve always had a passion for math, especially more complex mathematics. So when I learned that some of my friends were members of the Marriotts Ridge Math team, I joined the club as well. The math team benefits the school’s image, and encourages socialization but beyond that, encourages participation by students in mathematical endeavors. Students get to meet and compete against students in other high schools to win the number-one position countywide. I’ve struggled with some of the problems we have, even as practice, but I continue to work at solving them. Not only that, it’s always nice to work together with other club members in solving problems. Lastly, the math team encourages students to have an interest in math and to get better at it; it certainly inspires me.

My sister and I have been through a lot together, but I look fondly on the memories made in the summer of 2022 when we created an unofficial program called the Homeless Help initiative. For me, it was my way of fulfilling what the Bible says in James 2:14-16 about letting your faith be shown through your works. We planned out how to source for monetary donations (for now we’ve begun with asking aunties), where to buy food, and how to put together individual packages containing various types of food. We even planned out donation days! And especially during the summer months, we followed through with all of those plans, giving out our prepared food “packages” to people on the side of the street. Because we regularly used those routes, we were able to regularly give to some of the same people, although we of course encountered new people too. I’d be lying if I didn’t specify that my mom was also a major inspiration to me. She’s the one who insisted I offer to volunteer at the Salvation Army of Howard County, and I’ve since loved going there. Every month except winter months, the organization hosts a food drive open to anyone who comes. I always attend the food drives as a volunteer, and it makes me so happy to know I'm doing something to provide food for families that need it or simply could benefit from the additional provision. I know what it's like to appreciate a bit more food in your pantry that you didn't have to pay for, and I love doing the same for others. The Salvation Army thrift store is also one twice or thrice per week, depending on the week. And as I’ve volunteered there, I’ve also made memories. I recall an elderly female volunteer named Francis, and hearing her stories about her son changing college majors and how that was for them as a family, and some of her crazy tales about her preschool teaching days. Not only that, I’ve gotten more acquainted with regular customers myself. I regularly hear stories from another volunteer named Barbara, who once told me about her time as an army nurse, and then used that time to teach me a thing or two about nursing. Also, I meet with shoppers who will ask me about what school I go to, or what I hope to pursue in college. In a sense, my community also includes my school. I work to influence my school by participating in school events (such as the Multicultural Festival), which I primarily do through the school’s Rooted in Christ club. Not only because of my passionate Christian faith but also because of my great interest in making friends, I attend club meetings and help out in club events regularly. During the most recent multicultural festival, for example, I helped set up and also helped run activities for other guests. And in the process, I got to have a nice discussion with one of my classmates. After that time, I feel we grew closer. To me it demonstrates how actively being a part of community-oriented events builds bonds that can last a lifetime.

The more the merrier: diversity in STEM-related fields allows for a diversity of knowledge, and experiences. This creates more holistic research and results, leading to discoveries that better serve the whole of humanity. For example, I'm currently researching four-dimensional shapes and their application in solar energy production. While the fourth dimension is seen as time by physicists, I hope to demonstrate the usefulness of a fourth dimension of space in practical, everyday life. And there are thousands of others like me, who want to contribute something new to STEM fields and knowledge in those areas. Diverse representation in STEM careers allows students like myself to do so. The diversity of knowledge and experience leads to solutions that better serve a wider spectrum of people. My interest in energy production is driven by an experience of living through a category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean. What resulted was a nationwide power outage that lasted a year. I learned that affordable, portable energy is crucial for the redevelopment of communities and nations after a disaster. As weather-related catastrophes increase across the globe, math and science-based solutions will be increasingly essential to easing the impact of environmental change. Diversity in STEM fields also breaks many stereotypes about underrepresented groups. As an African-American male myself, I might be seen by some as less-qualified than my white peers based on inherent bias, for example. But by including Blacks and others from diverse groups in STEM, others learn that people who look like me can do just as well, if not better, as anybody else. Lastly, diversity serves as inspiration for aspiring STEM students when they see people like themselves in these fields. Statistically, women have been underrepresented in STEM-centered professions, often constituting less than 40 percent of workers in a given career field. Not only that, women are mostly underpaid by at least 15 cents per dollar less than their average male counterparts, which could seem discouraging. However, if more women were to be included in STEM fields, younger women would see STEM as a field where they could bring their perspective to complex problems. As a society, we would benefit from more equity. To me, minorities should be given equal opportunities in STEM fields as other groups. It sets a positive precedent for workplaces and for society as a whole, making the atmosphere more inclusive and conducive to teamwork. Considering the problems the world faces, people from all groups are needed to create solutions. All in all, it’s a benefit to have diversity in STEM fields because not only do the underrepresented groups in question benefit but so does all of society and by extension, all of humanity.

“Is that what they sent you to school for?!” shouted my Nigerian mother at the tv screen. We were watching a movie about a lovely Christian girl in college slowly being influenced by her friends and roommates to abandon the morals she grew up with. Entertaining though my mother's reaction was, the story struck me deeply, and it left me concerned for myself: “How will I make it through college without falling prey to the pressures and distractions contained therein?” Since then I’ve decided that the key to making it through college is staying focused. I’ve experienced some of what I saw in that movie in high school. My friends and peers have encouraged me to loosen up a little. While I’m comfortable being the “good” kid, it can be alienating at times, at least mentally. Some have advised me to go to parties, meet girls, and be a normal college student. However, I believe that I can enjoy college and stay focused on what I’m there for- studying as well as making a positive impact on those around me. With that approach, I will succeed in college. One benefit of a college degree is that I’ll get to pursue topics I’m passionate about, discover myself and discover my interests in a new way. For example, I’m currently researching how four-dimensional shapes such as the tesseract (or 4D hypercube) can be applied in a new and practical way to produce energy. I’ve enjoyed the research process, so much so that I want to pursue an Applied Mathematics degree in college. With that degree, I can not only take this project further but can also explore the overall topic of the fourth dimension in more depth. Also, an Applied Mathematics degree would allow me to continue studying mathematics, my favorite subject, as well as engineering, which has also been a fascination of mine for many years. Then I could pursue the job of my dreams in engineering with an emphasis on mathematics. A college degree prepares people to make a difference in today's world. By spending four years learning the details of a topic, one is better equipped to add to humanity’s total body of knowledge in that field. For example, a person with a degree in music could use their knowledge of how sound affects the human brain to design a product focused on music therapy for trauma victims, or people suffering from PTSD. In essence, specialized knowledge enables a person to solve problems that ordinarily wouldn't be solvable by a person lacking the same knowledge. I’m grateful to be considered for this scholarship.

Between math and physics, math wins every time. There’s not even a contest as far as I’m concerned. Math is logical and consistent. Numbers do as they’re told. They can be manipulated via equations or studied theoretically by pure mathematicians. They’re reliable, so to speak. Fractals are a great example of this; they start with one shape and then repeat, forming beautiful patterns as they do so. They are a picture of mathematics in its entirety. In addition, many of the processes involved in problem-solving have been around for centuries. But by continued use and reuse, important problems can be solved. To that point, mathematics has far-reaching real-world applications. Returning to the physics versus math debate, physics would not survive without math. Math is among the principal bases for physics and many other fields of study. Engineers, accountants, and architects all use math as well, whether to analyze trends or to predict the outcome of a situation. And as if that’s not enough, math is also not limited by “reality”. The topic of higher dimensions illustrates this beautifully. Living in a 3D world, the concept of a fourth dimension, for example, seems strange to the average person. Physicists generally consider the fourth dimension to be time, which is logical and works for their purpose. But to me, that’s boring! Mathematically, the fourth dimension is a space that exists by the same geometric rules as the third, making for much more interesting creative exercises. For instance, tesseracts, four-dimensional (4D) cubes, can only be understood only through mathematics. This is because such shapes do not naturally occur on a visible scale. Currently, I’m researching four-dimensional shapes with an emphasis on tesseracts. I hope to gather funds, and then create a portable tesseract-like structure that can rotate itself to face the Sun at any point along the Sun’s motion, thereby maximizing solar energy production. This structure could then be taken to developing countries and used there to produce cheaper environmentally-friendly power. Additionally, I've come to enjoy this topic so much that in the future, I hope to study other 4D shapes, such as pentachora and 4D hyperspheres. Math inspires wonder; it facilitates creativity. In and of itself, it is beautiful. This is regardless of the specific topic- higher dimensions, infinite series, tessellations, or multivariable calculus. To the right person, math can be fascinating. Sorry not sorry but science has nothing on it.