It was a Tuesday morning like many others, until I turned on the TV and saw the news coverage of the Hawaii wildfires. Seeing the devastation caused by the wildfires, I was determined to help, and the Hawaii wildfire project and my path through the sciences solidified that night. Now, I am a senior at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City. I’ve used my time there to hone my interests, and I’m excited to explore the areas of plant science and microbiology in college.
For most of my life I’ve lived in a suburban area where there are not many other Native Americans. Sometimes it has felt challenging to connect with my culture, but I have made it a priority to find other Native people who live near me, and I have been fortunate to become friends with them. These friendships help me connect with my culture, something that has become very important to me.
In addition to my friends, my family has also helped shape and influence my current path. My mom is a professor at the University of Oklahoma, and I have greatly benefited from seeing that no matter where you are born or what you look like, you can always have a path in STEM. My dad has always supported my passion for science — and is always ready to step in and help me complete a last-minute project. Seeing people who look like me and who support my involvement in STEM has helped me believe in myself and my ability to be successful in this space.
At Heritage Hall, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a variety of classes, from AP physics to speech and debate. I think that pushing myself to take challenging courses has been crucial in helping me figure out my plans. I have also been fortunate to have support from teachers such as Mr. Ford, the school’s chemistry and horticulture teacher, who has sponsored me in the science fair for the past few years. Having the freedom and ability to test out lots of different things in an environment where people are supportive is one of the main reasons I have been able to fully explore my interest in science.
Even though science is my passion, English classes have been incredibly influential. They have taught me critical-thinking skills and introduced me to books that have changed my outlook. These skills and new ways of thinking have guided me through a number of projects and internships.
I was previously involved in the Summer Science Program (SSP), an intense, five-week summer internship where I worked with experts on testing a drug to treat the plant pathogen Claviceps purpurea (a fungus that grows on rye and other cereal plants). During that internship I learned how to work in a research lab, collaborate with other scientists, and problem-solve in a lab setting. This internship reinforced for me that plant science is my passion and something that I want to continue to explore at the college level and potentially beyond.
I’d love to one day get a PhD in microbiology and plant science research. I’ve seen firsthand how much influence these fields can have on our community, and I’d like to be a part of that going forward. My involvement as a member of AISES has helped shape my dreams, as I’ve attended many events, like national and regional conferences where I’ve been able to network with other students and professionals with similar goals. AISES has also helped me become more connected to my culture.
While my work on the Hawaii wildfire project has come to an end, my research at the intersection of microbiology and plant science has not. Attending a college prep school has allowed me to see what studying these subjects might be like at a college level, and I am ready for it!
