When I chose to study civil engineering, I knew I wanted a career where my work would have a lasting impact on people’s lives. I have always been interested in solving problems, but what drew me to civil engineering was the opportunity to improve entire communities. Every bridge, road, stormwater system, and water treatment facility exists because someone chose to design something that would serve others for decades. I want to spend my career creating infrastructure that is safe, sustainable, and improves the quality of life for the people who depend on it. As I have continued through my education, I have become especially interested in environmental engineering, water resources, and sustainable infrastructure. I care deeply about protecting the environment, and I want my career to reflect those values. Outside of school, I regularly volunteer at community gardens and neighborhood trash cleanups because I enjoy taking care of the places people share. Those experiences have strengthened my sense of stewardship and shown me that even small efforts can improve a community. Engineering allows me to contribute on a much larger scale by designing systems that protect natural resources while serving the people who rely on them every day. My path to engineering has been anything but traditional. I left school while I was still in middle school after following the example set by my older siblings. Even after leaving, I continued teaching myself through online resources because I enjoyed learning and wanted to keep challenging myself. Eventually, I decided to return to high school, despite knowing I would have to catch up after years away from a traditional classroom. That decision became one of the most important moments of my life. By the end of my freshman year, I had earned the highest GPA in my school. That experience changed how I saw myself and gave me the confidence to pursue goals that once felt out of reach, including earning a degree in one of the most demanding STEM fields. Engineering has continued to challenge me, but those early experiences taught me that setbacks do not define what I am capable of accomplishing. When I struggled in Calculus II, I chose to retake the course instead of simply moving on with gaps in my understanding. Retaking it gave me a much stronger foundation, and I noticed that concepts in Calculus III and my engineering courses suddenly made much more sense. That experience reinforced something I have learned throughout my education: real understanding is worth the extra effort. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to spend more time focusing on my education instead of worrying about the financial demands of earning an engineering degree. Engineering courses require long hours in class, labs, and studying, leaving limited time to earn income while maintaining strong academic performance. This scholarship would help cover tuition and educational expenses while allowing me to continue participating in organizations like Engineers for a Sustainable World, where I serve as Vice President, and remain involved in the volunteer work that has shaped my goals. My goal is to become an engineer who improves communities while protecting the environment. This scholarship would help me continue pursuing that goal and give me the opportunity to turn my passion for service and sustainability into a career that makes a lasting difference.

Calculus is important in STEM because it gives us a way to understand change. Water flows at different rates, structures respond to changing loads, objects move, and environmental conditions shift over time. Calculus allows scientists and engineers to describe these changes, predict what may happen, and use that information to solve real problems. I learned the importance of calculus in a very personal way because I had to retake Calculus II. The first time I took the course, I was able to complete some of the work, but I did not fully understand how the concepts connected or why I was using certain methods. Since calculus builds on itself, those gaps made later material much harder. Retaking the course was discouraging at first, but it gave me the time and repetition I needed to understand the ideas instead of only trying to memorize enough steps to finish a problem. After taking Calculus II again, I noticed a major difference in my other classes. Concepts that had previously seemed unrelated began to connect. I had a stronger understanding of rates of change, accumulation, vectors, and the relationships between equations and physical systems. Calculus III became easier to follow because I had a better foundation in derivatives and integrals. I could also understand more of what was happening in physics and engineering problems instead of treating each formula as something separate that I simply had to memorize. That experience showed me why calculus is a foundation for so many STEM fields. It is a language that connects mathematics to real systems. In civil engineering, calculus is used to study forces, motion, water flow, structural behavior, and many other conditions that change over time or across an area. Engineers need to understand these relationships to design roads, bridges, drainage systems, water networks, and other infrastructure safely. I am especially interested in environmental engineering, water resources, stormwater management, and sustainable infrastructure. Calculus can be used to examine how quickly water enters a drainage system, how runoff accumulates during a storm, or how pollution moves through a river. These calculations help engineers determine whether infrastructure can handle changing conditions and how a project may affect the surrounding environment. Calculus has also taught me persistence. Retaking Calculus II required me to admit that I needed a stronger foundation and then put in the work to build one. Once I understood the material, I could see how much it supported everything I was learning afterward. The experience made me more comfortable asking questions, reviewing earlier concepts, and spending more time on material that does not make sense immediately. Calculus is important in STEM because it helps turn complicated, changing conditions into problems that can be studied and solved. My experience retaking Calculus II showed me that understanding the foundation matters far beyond one course. It improved the way I understood my other classes and gave me a clearer picture of how mathematical ideas apply to engineering. In my future career, I hope to use that understanding to help design infrastructure that is safe, sustainable, and useful to the communities that depend on it.

My long-term goal is to become a civil engineer whose work improves communities while protecting the environment. I am especially interested in environmental engineering, water resources, stormwater management, and sustainable infrastructure. I want to work on projects that solve real problems, such as flooding, aging water systems, pollution, and unequal access to safe and healthy public spaces. The values that drive these goals are service, responsibility, and stewardship. I have always been drawn to work that helps other people, which is why I have held service-based jobs and regularly volunteer at community gardens and neighborhood cleanups. Those experiences have shown me how much consistent effort can improve a shared space or make someone’s life easier. They have also strengthened my belief that we are responsible for caring for the places and resources that communities depend on. I also value dependability and honesty. Engineering decisions can affect people’s safety, health, and quality of life, so I want to be someone who takes that responsibility seriously and can be trusted to do careful, ethical work. Over time, I hope to grow into a leadership role where I can guide meaningful projects, support younger engineers, and help communities make decisions that are both practical and environmentally responsible. My goal is to build a career that allows me to serve others, contribute to healthier communities, and leave the environment in better condition for the people who come after me.

“Why does that sign say that the bridge ices over faster than the road?” I asked my dad as we drove over a local bridge not far from my house. I had seen the sign a million times and wondered the same thing every time. When my dad knew the answer, I was not shocked. He seemed to know the answer to everything. This became the template of me and my father’s relationship; I asked questions about why and how and he answered. Though I was often perceived as an annoying little kid asking a million questions every car ride, as I got older the fascination for how the world worked never diminished. My Junior year of high school I enrolled in Honors Physics. I found myself challenged like I had never been challenged before. Instead of dropping the class when I had received my first “bad” grade of my whole school career, I felt motivated to study more and redeem myself on the next test. Eventually, I had culminated in a small group of friends in class that were all equally motivated to succeed. We went back and forth reasoning through homework problems on FaceTime calls late into the night, explaining concepts to each other that just did not click, and fixing each other’s math mistakes. The next year, I signed up for another, harder Physics class without hesitation. I was determined to succeed, driven by the challenge itself and the desire to know more. Before I knew it, I could answer the questions myself that I had once asked my dad about years ago. When applying to colleges in my Senior year, I became enthralled with civil engineering. Civil engineering keeps the world afloat. While it seems like a large statement to make, it’s true. Every road or bridge you drive over is the work of a team of engineers who have devoted their time to creating smooth and efficient infrastructure. Not only do engineers design structures that are functional, they have to take into account the world around them. In the past few decades, sustainability has become a huge topic in engineering as people work to design things that are not only usable and efficient, but not actively harming the environment. To maintain this beautiful world we live in, it is necessary that the things we place on it are productive rather than destructive. To me, civil engineering is a crucial part of every moment of our lives. Every time someone leaves the house to run a simple errand, there are countless structures carefully designed to make that process as easy as possible. While most people do not think anything of it, it has always fascinated me. The complexity of each structure and system on Earth is extraordinary. This not only excites me, but also drives me to further my education so I can make the positive impact that I desire. With a career in Civil Engineering, I will be able to focus on sustainability within my community. I plan to achieve this by earning a degree in Civil Engineering and a certification in Renewable Energy Systems. I was beyond excited to pursue this major. However, I was running into the same deterring feeling. Each time a family member offered to introduce me to their engineering friend, so I could gain more insight on the topic, it was a man. Even my own inspiration, my dad, was a man. Moreover, my entire Physics class, composed of people interested in pursuing engineering, were males. I was one of about five women in the entire class of almost thirty kids. I was the only girl in my lab group in physics. When I interjected to offer my opinion or idea, it was shot down and dismissed immediately. It had become so extreme that my teacher, although a male, acknowledged that while I was often right, no one would listen to me. Eventually, I worked by myself to ensure that my ideas and work were being properly represented. My voice was being drowned out by men. Although it was frustrating to be constantly dismissed by my peers that I respected and to lack any close female role models in the field, I knew I could not let that determine my success. I applied to schools for Civil Engineering despite my concerns that my voice would once again, be tuned out. I have made it my goal to succeed in the field no matter what challenges I face. I refuse to let go of my curiosity about the world.

“Why does that sign say that the bridge ices over faster than the road?” I asked my dad as we drove over a local bridge not far from my house. I had seen the sign a million times and wondered the same thing every time. When my dad knew the answer, I was not shocked. He seemed to know the answer to everything. It was like he knew how everything worked. This became the template of me and my father’s relationship; I asked questions about why and how and he answered. Though I was often perceived as an annoying little kid asking a million questions every car ride, as I got older the fascination for how the world worked never diminished. I wanted to know how the world worked. When applying to colleges in my Senior year, I became enthralled with civil engineering. Civil engineering keeps the world afloat. While it seems like a large statement to make, it’s true. Every road or bridge you drive over is the work of a team of engineers who have devoted their time to creating smooth and efficient infrastructure. Not only do engineers design structures that are functional, they have to take into account the world around them. In the past few decades, sustainability has become a huge topic in engineering as people work to design things that are not only usable and efficient, but not actively harming the environment. To maintain this beautiful world we live in, it is necessary that the things we place on it are productive rather than destructive. To me, civil engineering is a crucial part of every moment of our lives. Every time someone leaves the house to run a simple errand, there are countless structures carefully designed to make that process as easy as possible. While most people do not think anything of it, it has always fascinated me. The complexity of each structure and system on Earth is extraordinary. I was beyond excited to pursue this major. However, I was running into the same deterring feeling. Each time a family member offered to introduce me to their engineering friend, so I could gain more insight on the topic, it was a man. Even my own inspiration, my dad, was a man. Moreover, my entire Physics class, composed of people interested in pursuing engineering, were males. I was one of about five women in the entire class of almost thirty kids. I was the only girl in my lab group in physics. When I interjected to offer my opinion or idea, it was shot down and dismissed immediately. It had become so extreme that my teacher, although a male, acknowledged that while I was often right, no one would listen to me. Eventually, I worked by myself to ensure that my ideas and work were being properly represented. My voice was being drowned out by men. Although it was frustrating to be constantly dismissed by my peers that I respected and to lack any close female role models in the field, I knew I could not let that determine my success. I applied to schools for Civil Engineering despite my concerns that my voice would once again, be tuned out. I have made it my goal to succeed in the field no matter what challenges I face. I refuse to let go of my curiosity about the world.

Civil engineering keeps the world afloat. While it seems like a large statement to make, it’s true. Every road or bridge you drive over is the work of a team of engineers who have devoted their time to creating smooth and efficient infrastructure. Not only do engineers design structures that are functional, they have to take into account the world around them. In the past few decades, sustainability has become a huge topic in engineering as people work to design things that are not only usable and efficient, but not actively harming the environment. To maintain this beautiful world we live in, it is necessary that the things we place on it are productive rather than destructive. To me, civil engineering is a crucial part of every moment of our lives. Every time someone leaves the house to run a simple errand, there are countless structures carefully designed to make that process as easy as possible. While most people do not think anything of it, it has always fascinated me. The complexity of each structure and system on Earth is extraordinary. “Why does that sign say that the bridge ices over faster than the road?” I asked my dad as we drove over a local bridge not far from my house. I had seen the sign a million times and wondered the same thing every time. When my dad knew the answer, I was not shocked. He seemed to know the answer to everything. It was like he knew how everything worked. This became the template of me and my father’s relationship; I asked questions about why and how and he answered. Though I was often perceived as an annoying little kid asking a million questions every car ride, as I got older the fascination for how the world worked never diminished. My Junior year of high school I enrolled in Honors Physics because it seemed like the most interesting of my choices. I found myself challenged like I had never been challenged before. Instead of dropping the class when I had received my first “bad” grade of my whole school career, I felt motivated to study more and redeem myself on the next test. Eventually, I had culminated in a small group of friends in class that were all equally motivated to succeed. We went back and forth reasoning through homework problems on FaceTime calls late into the night, explaining concepts to each other that just did not click, and fixing each other’s math mistakes. The next year I signed up for AP Physics without hesitation. I knew it would be challenging but I had fallen in love with the feeling of finally solving a problem after hours of working through it. Before I knew it, I could explain how things worked, just like my dad. That child-like wonder I had for the world drove me to pick my major early Senior year: Civil Engineering. As I stared at the list of majors on the Common App, I was overwhelmed with the possibilities. I had already decided that I wanted to pursue something in engineering but that did not narrow down my options very far. I knew I had to dig a little deeper into each one before making my decision. When reading through countless articles on what it meant to be a civil engineer, I was immediately drawn to it. I read through forums of people describing the absolute accomplishments of finally seeing the bridge standing that their engineering team had spent a year planning. I found websites detailing the process behind designing infrastructure including accounting for environmental impacts, considering traffic or other conditions in the area, and aesthetics among many other factors. Despite the countless positive things I found online, there were also people expressing their challenges within the field. I expected to feel dettered by this but I had only become more excited. I knew that I had struggled in the beginning of my physics class. However, I devoted myself to doing better and surrounded myself with people who would help me accomplish that. I found that the most helpful thing for me when met with challenges was to collaborate with peers for not only support but to bounce ideas off of. It was also crucial to my success that I was surrounded with people that lifted me up instead of weighing me down. Eventually, I was no longer struggling in school and things I once found challenging seemed simple. I plan on continuing this attitude through college and applying myself to the fullest when I am met with challenges. After delving into this field, I knew it was what I wanted to pursue. Since choosing my major, I have been so excited to finally learn more. I want to learn about the process of designing structures and the impact that they have on society. I want to finally see my creation standing tall after months of tedious work. I am excited to pursue this field and I am determined to work through any challenges I face.

Time seemed to slow, each minute growing longer than the last. My eyelids felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds. I had been staring at this problem for so long and yet nothing made sense. Then, like a dam breaking, everything rushing out at once, it clicked. My hand moved as fast as it could, struggling to keep up with my head. Everything had made sense. This was the nightly experience of working on my Physics homework. Each night I sat in bed staring at the problems and texting group chats full of other students trying to help one another understand the concepts. I would spend hours just trying to solve one 2 dimensional motion problem, waiting for it to click. Despite the tedious nature of this, that click was so satisfying that I did not mind my Saturday nights being fully taken over by packets of work and lab reports. I had finally found something that challenged me, and that feeling was addictive. I had never been challenged like this in any other class, even in an AP English class, it just felt simple. I enjoyed it, nonetheless, as I enjoy reading literature and writing, but it did not challenge me. I was never passionate about writing an essay and while I could do it fairly easily and quickly, it was monotonous to me. Physics was the first time I had to sit down and study the material. I had to ask friends for help. I had to stay after school to have problems explained to me. I had to spend hours studying for tests. For the first time in high school, I felt interested in something. There was room for improvement and growth and an ever-expanding basis of knowledge to learn and apply. I had finally understood what it takes to be passionate about something — to want to improve and build upon your knowledge. I decided that I wanted to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and pursue a career in that field after college. My family has always supported me in this endeavor until it came to looking at the cost of college, where I was urged to go to colleges that were on the inexpensive side but lacked the credentials in Engineering programs. My siblings dropped out of high school and eventually finished a degree online and additionally, I will be the first of my grandmother’s ten grandchildren to attend college. My dream has always been to walk graduation with her in the crowd — to make her proud. With the money from this scholarship, I will have a better chance of attending college and making mine, and my family's, dreams come true.

Light pink and yellow tulips popped up from the lush garden beneath my window. The air was crisp and fresh. The days seem to grow slightly longer each week — everything feels a little more hopeful. This is April. However, my curtains were shut, I could not see the flowers my mom spent hours tending to or feel the warm light hit my skin. My windows were closed, and locked, meaning that none of the fresh air could reach me as I was buried under a layer of blankets and heating pads. This is how I spent my Sophomore and Junior years of high school. Late into my Sophomore year, I woke up one morning with a dull ache in my lower abdomen. I thought nothing of it and I continued with my life like normal. Each day, I pushed it further back into my mind, hoping that the less I thought of it, the less I would feel it. Eventually, however, I was forced to confront the issue: running to my mom, and asking her to take me to urgent care. There, I learned I had an infection that would soon be resolved with antibiotics. That hopeful, spring feeling was festering in my head. However, it was soon drained from me when I was awoken by the feeling of small fuzzy dots all along the inside of my mouth and throat. Another infection. From that point, each infection becomes insignificant. Week after week I took rounds and rounds of antibiotics and yet nothing was ever resolved. I saw specialists and was recommended to make diet and lifestyle changes. I did just that. I went to the gym every day. I made myself each meal of the day, avoiding major food groups like dairy and gluten. I took vitamins and minerals. I was doing everything they told me to. Nothing worked. That dull, aching pain never diminished. It was embarrassing, to say the least. For the most part, I kept it a secret from my friends and teachers, until it became glaringly obvious that my attendance was slowly worsening. I made it to school a few times a week and I was usually late when I did make it. The pain and the constant upkeep of my health kept me from making it to school every day. Nonetheless, I was at the top of my class. With nearly 50 attendance codes, I still managed to rank 12th in my class. I still scored the highest on every test and held myself to the goal I made as a child: to be the first of my Grandmother’s ten grandchildren to attend college. So, with these many unanswered questions about my health, I dedicated myself to being the best version I could be. I let go of feeling embarrassed about my issues, telling my teachers and counselors that while I could not always make it to class, I was still determined to succeed. Staying after school to get extra help saved a lot of my test grades. Going to the library every day for hours helped me stay on top of my assignments. Forming study groups with my friends forced me to maintain social relationships and established support for me while I struggled. This, to me, is what success means. Success is doing everything you can, despite your circumstances or limitations, to complete your goals. My long-term goal has always been to earn a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering — to make my Grandmother proud as she watches me walk at graduation. Even though I could not always physically be in school, I made every effort and adjustment necessary to help myself reach my smaller goal of graduating high school with grades I can be proud of. Now, my long-term goal is within arms reach and I hope to achieve the same in college. My limitations are not always in my control, but my success is and will be. This scholarship will aid me in paying tuition costs in college and therefore help me achieve my goals and reach that success, despite financial limitations, in the next chapter of my life.