Growing up, one of my favorite TV shows was The Looney Tunes. While most people had an affinity for Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck, I had an unusually close connection to Porky Pig. My parents gifted me a Porky Pig stuffed animal on my seventh birthday, and he meant the world to me. Not only was Porky my favorite pillow, but he and I also shared the same speech impediment: a stutter. In middle school, Porky became my first audience. I rehearsed conversations, presentations, and even jokes in front of him, always leaving him speechless. With the help of Porky and speech therapists, I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone every day. Initially, it started out with me having casual conversations with strangers in the cafeteria line. And eventually, I gained enough confidence to be able to speak anywhere. I quickly realized that, similar to how Porky’s existence helped me voice my truth, I wanted to do the same for others. With this in mind, in high school, I began an initiative with a classmate to offer free public speaking workshops for inner-city Dallas youth. We brought together the speech captains and executive board of a dozen schools in local Dallas districts to organize a 12-week public speaking workshop for middle school students. Most of the students we worked with came from schools that were already lacking both middle and high school speech and debate programs. That’s why our goal was to encourage enough students to join their high school public speaking programs in order for their district to increase more funding for the public speaking programs. Beyond just the Debate teams, our students stepped into the school play, Model United Nations, teen court, and even Slam Poetry Club. It was an incredible feeling to be a part of the reason why nearly a hundred kids felt confident enough in their conviction. When I began my freshman year at the University of Michigan, I realized my interests lay at the intersection of finance and community impact. I became curious about who decides where funding goes and which programs endure. I wanted to be a part of the decision-making process to understand the root of various opportunity disparities. After working in finance internships over the past few summers, I specifically grew interested in real estate development. I wanted to focus on projects that increased access to quality housing and community spaces. Seeing how a school district responded simply from student participation showed me how far a small action can go to create institutional disruption. I hope to build that proof into the places people call home. Although Porky passed away months ago in the washing machine, I still think of him in small, fleeting moments. The workshops we led in Dallas were never just about teaching argumentation; they were about helping students find their voices, just as I once found mine. Pursuing higher education in business is my next step in scaling that impact. Just as Beatrice Dias championed higher education and worked to equalize the playing field, this scholarship would allow me to deepen my academic growth and engage with complex business and real estate idea. In turn, I hope to reinvest that growth into the communities that shaped me. Ultimately, I hope to ensure that future generations of youth feel equipped to claim their place in this industry.

Growing up, one of my favorite TV shows was The Looney Tunes. While most people had an affinity for Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck, I had an unusually close connection to Porky Pig. My parents gifted me a Porky Pig stuffed animal on my seventh birthday, and we shared the same speech impediment: a stutter. In middle school, Porky became my first audience. I rehearsed conversations, presentations, and even jokes in front of him. I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone every day, starting with small conversations in the cafeteria line. Eventually, I gained enough confidence to speak anywhere. I realized that, just how Porky helped me voice my truth, I wanted to do the same for others. With this in mind, during my sophomore year of high school, I began an initiative with a classmate to offer free public speaking workshops for inner city Dallas youth. We brought together speech captains and executive boards from over a dozen schools across local districts to organize a 12-week workshop for middle school students. We spent weeks developing curriculum that balanced academic rigor with interactive activities. Most of the students we worked with came from schools that were already lacking both middle and high school speech and debate programs. Our goal was to encourage enough students to join their high school programs so their districts would increase funding. The results surprised us. Not only did our students join speech and debate, but they also joined the school play, Model UN, teen court, and Slam Poetry Club. Nearly a hundred students chose to raise their hands. It was an incredible feeling to be part of the reason why so many felt confident enough in their conviction. Through these formative experiences, along with conversations with mentors and upperclassmen, I began to see a larger pattern: the same way my bedroom became a safe place to strengthen my voice, entire neighborhoods depend on spaces and systems that allow their people to grow. Behind those spaces are financial decisions that determine what gets built and what moves forward. When I entered the University of Michigan, I knew I wanted to explore finance early on. As a junior analyst for Michigan Stocks and Bonds, my first pitch came from the fixed income desk, where my team and I presented a catastrophe bond and highlighted its recession-proof qualities and high risk-adjusted yield. I was struck by how natural disasters, seemingly unrelated to finance, could alter a bond’s value. Last summer, at an energy-tech focused venture capital firm, I was entrusted with drafting a convertible note for one of the firm’s SPV investments and researching portfolio forecasting tools to improve exit planning. These experiences showed me how capital allocation shapes real outcomes. Although Porky passed away months ago in the washing machine, I still think about him often. Overcoming my stutter was one of the most difficult obstacles I faced in childhood, and even years later, those moments remain vivid. The workshops in Dallas were not just about teaching kids to speak, but about helping them build the confidence to be heard. After graduation, I hope to work in debt capital markets, helping fund the schools, hospitals, and local programs that quietly shape confidence in the next generation. Just as I once needed a safe space to find my voice, communities need financial backing to build theirs. Through finance, I hope to stand behind the decisions that create those spaces, ensuring that future generations of women feel empowered to claim their place in the industry.

"Ms. Mehta is currently in critical condition, fighting for her life after a devastating bicycle accident." The news of her accident spread through social media within our family circles. Everyone's reaction was, "How could this happen in a town like ours?" Plano is such a quiet suburban town. Ms. Mehta was hit from behind by a large SUV while cycling early on a Saturday morning. The incident occurred at a neighborhood bike crossing on higher ground with low visibility, making it difficult for our friend to be seen by oncoming traffic on the busier street. As an avid cycling enthusiast, I have gained a newfound appreciation for defensive driving and road safety. My family and I ride for more than 10 hours a week, and her situation has made me more aware of my surroundings. Cycling has always been a source of joy for me since I received my first mountain bike as a child, and I rode it every day for my 4.5-minute "commute" from home to the neighborhood elementary school. Over the years, I have made tons of cycling buddies, acquired tracking gadgets and gears. However, Ms. Mehta's accident has reminded me of the need to be vigilant while cycling and to prioritize safety above all else. FYI, I have upgraded to a carbon hybrid road bike since then. During middle school, I participated in volunteer activities that allowed me to use my bike even more. I even started selling girl scout cookies and popcorn door-to-door just so that I could bike in nearby neighborhoods. But for me, cycling is more than just a hobby. I believe it should be a way of life. Some folks sit in their cars and believe they become part of the machine. That's how I feel on my bike. It's me and the machine. Unlike cars, bikes have this magical nature of bringing people together. A hand wave to a fellow cyclist within the neighborhood, chatting about new trails, and discussing biking gear. When my family goes on vacation, my dad gets a rental car, and I'm the one insisting on getting a rental bike. Even today, I try to become involved in my local cycling community every few months. I participate in group rides and try to bring awareness whenever I can to what happened to Ms. Mehta. I was recently admitted to the University of Michigan, and I'm eager to explore the charming college town of Ann Arbor, which is reputedly more bike-friendly than my hometown. I plan to use my bike as a social vehicle (pardon the pun) to meet new people as well. While Ms. Mehta's accident was a sobering reminder of the importance of safety, I'm hopeful for the future of cycling. By promoting bike-friendly communities, we can create a much happier and healthier world for everyone. At the end of the day, there's nothing like being on a bike with the wind in your hair. Nothing comes close to giving someone that level of freedom and oneness with nature.

"There is no gene for the human spirit", that's the tagline for a very underrated 1997 science-fiction movie, Gattaca. The very phrase has etched itself into my psyche ever since I first watched the film with my dad. As a high school senior about to start college, I'm not entirely sure where my future will take me, possibly finance and banking for now, but I know that I want to live my life with that same indomitable spirit that Vincent, the Non-GMO hero of the movie displayed. FYI, I've watched the movie 7 more times since my first viewing. Vincent's story in Gattaca taught me that I don't need to be a genetically-engineered superhuman to achieve my dreams. Instead, I just need to have the determination and courage to pursue them. Vincent refused to let his limitations define him, and he showed me that I don't need to either. If he can achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut, then who's to say that I can't achieve mine, no matter how far-fetched they may seem? "Anton, I never saved anything for the swim back." those were Vincent's words to his genetically superior brother. Daring steps Vincent takes to achieve his dream and prove society wrong. I know that in my own future, whether it be in finance, investment banking, or something entirely different, I will need to be willing to take calculated risks and make bold moves in order to succeed. Every character in Gattaca has a story that contributes to the movie's "human spirit" tagline. Irene, Vincent's love interest, is searching for a genetic match, which leads her to challenge societal expectations and question the value of genetic perfection. Jerome, a former athlete, represents the human spirit's resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Despite being paralyzed, he uses his intelligence and knowledge to help Vincent achieve his dreams. Anton, Vincent's genetically "inferior" brother, embodies the negative effects of genetic discrimination and societal pressure to conform to genetic standards. Josef, the director of Gattaca Corporation, represents the dark side of genetic engineering and the potentially harmful effects of genetic discrimination. Lamar, Vincent's boss, tells Vincent "Did I ever tell you about my son, Jerome? He's a big fan of yours". Lamar knows that Vincent gives hope to his "in-valid" son. I could talk about this movie for hours and write essays about each character ad nauseum. The characters of Gattaca demonstrate the power of the human spirit to overcome limitations and achieve success despite societal expectations and genetic makeup. The movie inspires viewers to reject societal norms that limit their potential and embrace their individuality and inner strength. Ultimately, the movie reminds us that we are not defined by our genetics, but rather by our actions and the strength of our character.

As a High school student, I am constantly witnessing how 3D printing is one of the coolest technology like no other! The sheer potential of this tech to make a positive difference in the world is nothing short of mind-blowing. During my early years of high school, I listened to an NPR program on the market for used prosthetics. This was before 3D printing. Now Imagine, if we can use 3D printing to quickly print prosthetic limbs that can custom fit an amputee. That's the kind of innovation that could truly change lives. 3D printing can be used to create all kinds of personalized medical devices and implants, from hearing aids to dental crowns. The possibilities are endless! But it's not just about medicine - 3D printing has the potential to transform so many different industries. For example, in manufacturing, 3D printing can enable rapid prototyping and customized production, without the need for expensive tooling or large-scale facilities. This can level the playing field for small businesses and entrepreneurs, opening up new opportunities for innovation and creativity. And let's not forget the art world! 3D printing has already been used to create some truly stunning sculptures and installations, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of form and design. It's an exciting time to be an artist, and 3D printing is a big part of that. Of course, 3D printing is not without its challenges. As with any new technology, there are questions about safety, sustainability, and equity that need to be addressed. But I firmly believe that the potential benefits of 3D printing far outweigh the risks, and I'm excited to see how this technology will continue to evolve and make a positive impact on the world. So there you go, my passionate take on 3D printing. It's a technology that inspires me to dream big and think outside the box, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!