I am Hispanic and moved to an all-white neighborhood in Virginia at 8 years old from Florida. Since I was younger I always knew I was different from some of the other students, but that's never deterred me from what I love. In my freshman year of high school, I was introduced to a public academy that is run by the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. During the first two years at this academy, I was taught computer-aided design. After my junior year, I wasn't sure what to continue with at the academy, but then my guidance counselor brought an idea to me joining the renewable energy technologies which was going to be the first year of the program. I realized that this could be exactly looking for to develop and use the skills that I was taught for the better of people and the environment. Since then I have developed a deep passion for energy and the different ways we can harness it. Even though this was the first time the school had offered this program my teacher has done a great job of creating meaningful volunteering opportunities for us to improve our local realliance on renewable energy. A normal tradition that Virginia Beach follows is setting up Christmas lights along the beach to be seen at night. As a class we developed and hybrid solar and wind energy system that produced power for the lights. I didn't know how much I would love building and installing for the real world to use. Since then my classmates and I have all found an interest in alternative and renewable energy sources. I have competed in multiple competitions developing wind turbines and building underwater foundations for the wind turbines to be developed offshore. I have also found a way to align my passion for cars with renewable energy. I have realized that I could be the next developer of electric cars, or developing ways to convert them into flex-fuel vehicles that could run on biofuels. My high school education has taught me the fundamental skills that I need for the next step. I am very interested in taking the next steps of enrolling in a college or university so I can use my knowledge to develop the next technologies that set up our energy. I don't want to work a regular 9 to 5 job when I could be developing the future of energy. I am going to work hard for a chance to develop biofuels, make electric cars, and or improve nuclear reactors for energy use. I'm excited to improve and use the skills that I have been taught for the better of the world.

I was 8 years old when I moved to Virginia from Florida. As a Hispanic it was difficult adjusting to the new life in an all-white neighborhood. My father and I stood out as we played Hispanic music from the backyard and had cookouts on the grill. I didn't realize that the time, however as I got older I realized the ignorant statements that people made, but I didn't let it affect me. I found a passion for STEM at a young age as I was passionate about science and math. I found joy in facts and solving problems that most others wouldn't. In my high school career, I have expressed my diversity and kept the same customs I was born with. Being accepted to the public academy I go to for school was the best thing that's happened to me, because I have gained a chance that most other high school students don't get. I'm excited for my future at a university because I will be able to use the skills that I have learned for the better of the earth. My passion for alternative energy and cars is my drive for higher education. Unfortunately, I am right at the border of not being able to receive financial aid from the government, but I still can't afford 4 years of college. However, I am still going to work hard, so I can develop my skills and achieve my goals. I am passionate about pursuing a mechanical engineering degree because it aligns with all of my hobbies and it's what I love. As a senior, I have been exposed to the world of energy and the developing technologies that are going to replace fossil fuels. I have found a passion in this as my hobby contradicts this as I am into race cars being fueled by gas the leading producer of greenhouse gasses. I have found that I need to do something to reduce the effects of these harmful gases and improve the world by producing clean energy. This scholarship will help me with achieving these goals in my college education. I have been working and applying to other scholarships, so I can make it possible to achieve the next step. It's my dream to achieve a job in STEM and this scholarship will get me closer to my goal of achieving that.

The sound of engines, the lines of a well-built chassis, and the exhilarating rush of speed have always captivated me since I was a child. My fascination with cars served has the main purpose for my journey into the automobile business. My ambition to work in this industry has been fueled by my desire to push boundaries, adapt to constantly changing circumstances, and continuously improve performance. I've always been drawn to the rush of speed, the feeling of operating an explosive vehicle, and the challenge of pushing the boundaries of what is considered normal. It takes more than just driving quickly to achieve milestone times, set new records, and expand the limits of what is possible on the road. This enthusiasm ultimately made me look for a way to combine my knack for invention with my love of adrenaline. My motivation for creating performance parts is not only the need for speed but also the quest for greatness. In the automobile industry, I see myself as a person who always questions what is already known and pushes what is thought to be possible. The foundation of my knowledge comes from my mechanical engineering gift which has given me the technical skills needed to disassemble, examine, and improve vehicle performance. I've also added several computer-aided design (CAD) certificates to my background in mechanical engineering. Being proficient in CAD is more than just a skill, but it's a tool that allows me to convert ideas into real functional equipment. I can use computer-aided design to model, simulate, and optimize each and every small detail of a car to make sure it not only meets but surpasses the needs of speed lovers. In the world of the automobile industry flexibility is essential, and I consider myself to be an adaptable individual who grows in a changing atmosphere. With the automobile industry moving more and more in the direction of efficiency. Environmental responsibility would need to be implemented, but also allow us the chance to drive the same that we used too. With the industry's transition to a more sustainable future, I hope to create vehicles that not only maximize the driving experience but also reduce their environmental impact through creating flex fuel plug-in play kits that allow cars to run on natural gas or e85. My drive to succeed in the automobile industry stems from my love of speed, my dedication to quality, and my persistent desire to innovate. With a background in mechanical engineering and proficiency in computer-aided design, I feel im well-positioned to lead the charge in expanding what's achievable in the automotive industry. I'm excited to be at the top of testing, refining, and contributing to the development of cars that change the very definition of automotive excellence while also setting speed records, as new models enter the market every year.