Major: Biochemistry
Year in School: Freshman
Hometown: West Point, Nebraska
Please describe your big idea in a few sentences.
I hope to establish a learning experience to incorporate into schools that would allow students to nurture a love for plants and how they can utilize that love in future careers to create their own impact. I will design a couple experiments that teachers can do to create a program that will accomplish my goal of getting students interested in the importance of plants, whether it is growing them, using them for medical purposes, or even looking into the genetics of plants. Students will not only learn about possible career paths, but they will develop leadership skills through the program, such as responsibility and communication. This will set them up to be successful down the road.
What impact do you want to have on the world?
I want to create the opportunity for students to be leaders within their schools and discover their passions, whether it be in the agriculture industry, medical field and more. By encouraging students to be leaders and seek out their passions, I think they will not only be able to grow, but also learn to use their talents and interests to create a way they can best impact the world in their own way.
How has the Change Maker scholarship and CASNR community helped you discover your passion and grow your skills?
The Change Maker scholarship has allowed me to find a purpose in college and create the impact I want to leave. It has not only given me an outlet to do that, but I have also met other driven students that have the same intentions and goals in mind. I have been able to meet professors that will help me succeed in not only my project goals, but my career goals as well.
How has your mentor/mentors shaped your experience thus far?
My mentors have been phenomenal in helping me design the best path for my ideas by helping me develop a plan with ways to accomplish the ideas and goals that I created. I have also received so much more than just help with my projects from them. They genuinely care about me as an individual and student. With being a freshman, they answered any questions that I had and made sure that I was adjusting to college smoothly. It has been very fun to get to know each of my mentors and the stories of their impacts and the ones they are still creating.
What advice would you have for someone who is not sure if they should apply/if their idea is big enough?
Do not doubt yourself. Some of the greatest ideas spur off of the smallest propositions or suggestions. Take time to brainstorm and design an impact that is very meaningful to you. If you are passionate about your topic, you will go on to achieve great things, no matter how insignificant or minor the idea may seem to be.