What began as a minor infrequent ache soon escalated into persistent discomfort. Eventually, I found myself unable to move without feeling agonizing pain in my hip and groin. I refused to accept the possibility that I might have a severe injury. In my mind, I could still hear the raw and racist taunts of grade school bullies who made fun of my awkwardness at recess. As a 10-year-old, I stumbled into the world of soccer, and at first, I pursued it to prove the bullies wrong, but soon I fell in love with the game. Speed and agility coursed through me as if they were the very essence of my being. In my club, I played three or four matches every week with players three years older. I had double or even triple the practice sessions of most players. I did everything in my power to improve--and I did it with love for the game. Rising through the ranks, I found myself as captain of the most elite team in my club division. Desperately, I played through the pain–until I awoke one morning unable to walk. The diagnosis: a severely strained groin muscle. My season was over. Over the past year, as my leg healed, another dream came into sharper focus. Something my chemistry teacher said when I was a sophomore sparked my interest in nuclear fusion as a solution to global warming. He used the iconic movie “Back to the Future” to explain the science behind the Mr. Fusion device in the movie, which powered the DeLorean through space and time. What puzzled me was how a machine no bigger than a blender could fuel something so state-of-the-art. He explained the fusion process: two heavy isotopes of hydrogen—tritium, and deuterium—are put in a chamber hotter than four times the sun’s heat. They become volatile and rapidly crash into each other, forming a heavier atom—helium. The Collisions release an immense amount of energy, and the best part is the entire process produces zero emissions. Astonished by this phenomenon, I began my research, becoming convinced that nuclear fusion is no pipe dream. In English, I wrote research papers on nuclear fusion and made class presentations on its potential. While many obstacles must be overcome such as widespread funding, I believe nuclear fusion must happen in my lifetime, and I'll help make it happen. I plan to study mechanical engineering for my undergraduate degree, and then pursue a master's in the area of nuclear fusion. Of course, I’m still fixated on playing my best soccer this year, now thanks to a painful injury, my motivation is tempered by a balanced sense of purpose. “The true joy in life” George Bernard Shaw observed, is “being used for a purpose.” I want to contribute to the world by helping find a solution to global warming. Like Shaw, I believe “life is no brief candle” but “a splendid torch” which I want to hand to future generations by making life better on Earth.