1. What do you want to do when you grow up? Why?

Despite the usual over dramatic response you tend to get when asking a teenager about school, I enjoy going. What most kids don't realize, I think, is how much of a privilege it is to even be able to attend a good school (or any school for that matter). There are kids all around the world who would give anything for the chance to get an education. That's why I intend to take advantage of what I've been blessed with. Besides, learning is fun. It's crazy how much I have learned over the years that I don't even realize. I now have a basic understanding of how the world works, which I think is very important. Sometimes you even find things that just fascinate you. Until freshman year, I never realized how much I enjoyed geometry. I find it so fun to be able to solve problems like that. And realizing how fun that was, I discovered my love for engineering. School is an amazing opportunity, and that's why I try not to complain about school. I am very lucky to be there.

2. Where would you use the $500 if you were granted the scholarship?

My plan for the future is to be an engineer. I'm not sure on the specifics, however, so for now I intend to go into general engineering. I've never found anything as satisfying as I do engineering. You find a problem, you think about it, design a solution, and fix it. It's a very hands on field and you get to work on all types of projects. You could be doing anything from building a robot to complete a simple task, to designing an energy efficient wind turbine, to designing and making a prosthetic limb for a wounded veteran. There are so many great things you can do as an engineer. It's an amazing way to make a difference, to be on the front lines fixing whatever problems you can. It's one of the few things that I get excited about when I think about my future and what I could do with my life. It's also a male dominated occupation. I could help begin to change that. Being an engineer would be my dream job, and fortunately for me, if I work hard, I can attain my goal.

3. Do you like going to School? Why?

If I were granted the scholarship, I would use the money for tuition. Tuition is what I am most worried about in terms of my future. I want to go to school and further my education, but unfortunately, now that means (usually) graduating with a great deal of debt. I will gladly take any help that I can get. I've known ever since I was little that I wanted to go to college, but it was later that I realized how much financial stress it would put on me and my family. My parents are already supporting two other children at college, and the last thing I want to do is raise their bills. I know that any amount of scholarship money I can get is that much less that my family and I have to come up with. So thank you for providing this opportunity for me, weather I am chosen or not, I do appreciate it.