Living sustainably is the foundation of my daily routine: I wake up and take a quick shower in order to conserve water, I get dressed by the dim light of the sun to conserve the power that flows through my house from our solar panels, I cut my apple for a snack to eat at school and place the slices into a reusable container. All of these seemingly minimal activities make a difference in the longevity of our planet's health, but it is my belief that the most impactful way to live sustainably is to play a part in the creation of technology that will change our world's reality. It is my utmost dream to work on making hydrogen power a more viable and realistic source of energy. Diatomic hydrogen produces three times the amount of energy per gram when combusted than gasoline, and its only byproduct is water. This would mean a reduction of green house gases, and could even potentially be used to cure our looming shortage of clean, useable water. After learning all of these amazing benefits, it seems a wonder why the world hasn't switched completely over to Hydrogen. However, some companies are making an effort to pioneer the craft: the most prevalent are Toyota and Hyundai, who each have created a model of car powered by hydrogen gas, but some other automakers such as BMW, Audi, and Honda have started to dip their toes into this option for the future. Unfortunately, however grand the pros of hydrogen power are, the cons are equally weighted. First and foremost, hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and has to be kept in large, highly pressurized containers, making it both dangerous and difficult to transport. The cost of installation and repair of these fuel cells is also staggeringly high, making these vehicles unattainable for the vast majority of humanity. All of these aside, the most glaring issue preventing the world from shifting to hydrogen is that the entire world is already built around gasoline. There is a reason why oil is called "black gold"; coal and oil were the catalysts for the Industrial Revolution, leading to the entire world revolving around the use of these fossil fuels, and people being willing to pay anything for their use. Changing our entire planet's infrastructure will take trillions of dollars and the cooperation of all nations. In order to achieve global cooperation, we need people who are willing to sacrifice and take risks to speed up the scientific progress of hydrogen power, along with skilled diplomats who can convince other nations to open their minds to the reality of renewable energy. For example, Taylor Krause from season seven of Love Is Blind works to persuade and help companies to transition to greener, renewable energy sources. People like her are as equally instrumental in making this dream a reality as the pure scientists who work behind the scenes. The transformation, massive as it is, will be slow and arduous, but would ultimately result in a happier and more unified Earth once completed. I am distinctly motivated to be a part of this new era in any way possible, and to do my part to make the world a better place for all.

It is my utmost dream to work on making hydrogen power a more viable and realistic source of energy. Diatomic hydrogen produces three times the amount of energy per gram when combusted than gasoline, and its only byproduct is water, which could even additionally be used to cure our looming shortage of clean, useable water. After learning all of these amazing benefits, it seems a wonder why the world hasn't switched completely over to Hydrogen. However, some companies are making an effort to pioneer the craft: the most prevalent are Toyota and Hyundai, who each have created a model of car powered by hydrogen gas, but some other automakers such as BMW, Audi, and Honda have started to dip their toes into this option for the future. Unfortunately, however grand the pros of hydrogen power are, the cons are equally weighted. First and foremost, hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and has to be kept in large, highly pressurized containers, making it both dangerous and difficult to transport. The cost of installation and repair of these fuel cells is also staggeringly high, making these vehicles unattainable for the vast majority of humanity. All of these aside, the most glaring issue preventing the world from shifting to hydrogen is that the entire world is already built around gasoline. There is a reason why oil is called "black gold"; coal and oil were the catalysts for the Industrial Revolution, leading to the entire world revolving around the use of these fossil fuels, and people being willing to pay anything for their use. Changing our entire planet's infrastructure will take trillions of dollars and the cooperation of all nations. In order to achieve global cooperation, we need people who are willing to sacrifice and take risks to speed up the scientific progress of hydrogen power, along with skilled diplomats who can convince other nations to open their minds to the reality of renewable energy. Change advocates are as equally instrumental in making this dream a reality as the pure scientists who work behind the scenes. The transformation, massive as it is, will be slow and arduous, but would ultimately result in a happier and more unified Earth once completed. I am distinctly motivated to be a part of this new era in any way possible, and to do my part to make the world a better place for all.

At the age of 15, my freshman biology teacher, Mr. McVey, showed a documentary explaining how corn is used to make ethanol, and how it’s better for the environment than standard gasoline. My interest is piqued. One year later, in my global issues class with Mrs. McVey (yes, they are married), I connected to a video outlining all of the reasons why it’s imperative to find a better solution for renewable energy, as we will likely run out of oil within the next 50 years. Then, in December 2022, I read a headline story revealing that scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have yielded a net positive production of energy via nuclear fusion. When put together, all of these experiences lit a passion within me to be a part of the story of how clean energy will create a greener Earth. It is my utmost dream to work on making hydrogen power a more viable and realistic source of energy. Diatomic hydrogen produces three times the amount of energy per gram when combusted than gasoline, and its only byproduct is water, which could even additionally be used to cure our looming shortage of clean, useable water. After learning all of these amazing benefits, it seems a wonder why the world hasn't switched completely over to Hydrogen. However, some companies are making an effort to pioneer the craft: the most prevalent are Toyota and Hyundai, who each have created a model of car powered by hydrogen gas, but some other automakers such as BMW, Audi, and Honda have started to dip their toes into this option for the future. Unfortunately, however grand the pros of hydrogen power are, the cons are equally weighted. First and foremost, hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and has to be kept in large, highly pressurized containers, making it both dangerous and difficult to transport. The cost of installation and repair of these fuel cells is also staggeringly high, making these vehicles unattainable for the vast majority of humanity. All of these aside, the most glaring issue preventing the world from shifting to hydrogen is that the entire world is already built around gasoline. There is a reason why oil is called "black gold"; coal and oil were the catalysts for the Industrial Revolution, leading to the entire world revolving around the use of these fossil fuels, and people being willing to pay anything for their use. Changing our entire planet's infrastructure will take trillions of dollars and the cooperation of all nations. In order to achieve global cooperation, we need people who are willing to sacrifice and take risks to speed up the scientific progress of hydrogen power, along with skilled diplomats who can convince other nations to open their minds to the reality of renewable energy. For example, Taylor Krause from season seven of Love Is Blind works to persuade and help companies to transition to greener, renewable energy sources. People like her are as equally instrumental in making this dream a reality as the pure scientists who work behind the scenes. The transformation, massive as it is, will be slow and arduous, but would ultimately result in a happier and more unified Earth once completed. I am distinctly motivated to be a part of this new era in any way possible, and to do my part to make the world a better place for all.

“Five, six. Five, six, seven, eight!” Chappell Roan’s voice echoes through the enormous speakers of CHI Health Center Arena. Although she was only the opening act that night, Chappell Roan was so inspiring that after the concert, I listened to her music on repeat, rather than the headliner I originally went to see. The following day, after a quick Google deep dive, I found that Chappell and I share many similarities: our birth month (February), birthplace (the Midwest), and height (5’2”). However, these superficial similarities pale in comparison to the true effect that she has had on my life. Her unwavering confidence and perseverance has acted as a bright guiding light for me, and she has been my greatest inspiration through challenging times. Kayleigh Rose Amstutz was signed to Atlantic Records at 17 years old, after posting videos of her singing on Youtube. She promptly moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of 7,000 people, Willard, Missouri, to begin making music. At this point, you might expect her to be an overnight success. In reality, she was dropped by her label in April of 2020 after publishing only one song named “Pink Pony Club.” She moved back to Missouri and worked as a barista at Scooters Coffee, but she never gave up her goal. She knew in her gut that she had what it took to be a star, and that it would happen eventually, as long as she had faith in herself. She moved back to LA in October 2020, self produced her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, made all of her own costumes for music videos and album covers, and the rest is history. Chappell Roan’s success story is so impactful to me because it reflects my own unrelenting drive and commitment to succeeding. She believed so absolutely in her own potential that even when everyone around her gave up on her, she never gave up on herself. By applying the same concepts to my own experiences, I have been able to overcome enormous obstacles in my athletics and personal life, just as Chappell Roan pushed through treacherous times in her music career. When I experienced a mental block in gymnastics so crippling it reduced me to barely being able to do a back handspring, I took a step away to reflect on my missteps before starting back at zero and gradually gained back skills, just as Roan found her passion and direction for her project during her time back home in Missouri. I had seriously considered giving up and quitting the sport that has shaped me into who I am today, until I was inspired by Chappell Roan and reminded of my own strength and stubbornness. Overcoming such a colossal regression has instilled a deeper confidence and understanding of my own capabilities and resilience. Chappell Roan’s impression on me has also encouraged me to have an impact on others. I strive to be a leader and a role model, which I carry out by coaching gymnastics to young girls and sharing my experiences with them, as well as by tutoring my younger teammates. I impact my teammates by leading by example as well as celebrating their success and cheering them on through their hardships. My focus on teamwork is also found in the wider world, as I work to inspire group cohesion and understanding in collaborative settings to lead innovation. Chappell Roan's influence has filled me with confidence that I had previously lacked, enabling me to better make an impact on the world.