On one hand as I view it retrospectively, I see the version of me when I was lonely and isolated. Looking back, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. Everything seemed so easy, but so far and tough. I could not translate them into reality. I didn’t have a good home life or a good social or school life. I see a kid who was lost and needed to put their mind to use somehow. In those days, Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast. It caused 233 casualties, $50 billion in recovery efforts, and a changed mind. I watched as my own power went out. I watched as my house shuffled and creaked. I was mesmerized. I thought how a debatably weak storm wielded destruction. Over time, those ideas began to take shape into more concrete concepts. The storm had been a catalyst for change within me. Like Hurricane Sandy, my curiosity became a potent force, sweeping across the knowledge landscape, picking up insights and leading me to unanticipated discoveries. My vision, akin to the storm’s eye, provided a calm, focused point amidst the whirl of curiosity, guiding me towards the bigger picture. Post-storm, my imagination transforms the raw materials of knowledge into something unique, much like the transformed landscape left in the storm’s wake. I am a force of nature. Just as a storm impacts the physical world, I aim to leave a lasting impact on the world with knowledge and theory. As the winds howled and the rain lashed against the windows, I found myself drawn to the forces of nature and the science behind such a powerful event. It was as if the chaos outside mirrored the storm of curiosity within me. To many, Hurricane Sandy caused catastrophic destruction. Yet, amidst the destruction, it ignited a passion, a domino effect for my pursuit in environmental science. This passion has since guided my academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, like for example, I’m the current President of Computer Science Honors Society and I have a 4.4 GPA. The other day, I found a photo of myself from September 2012. In that photo, I see a child on the brink of discovery, unaware that a storm would soon steer him towards his life's purpose. It's a reminder that sometimes, it takes a shake-up of our world to reveal where our true passions lie.

Being a good citizen implies being an active and responsible member of the community. It involves a commitment to fulfilling duties such as abiding by the law, taking part in community projects, and contributing positively to society, in addition to merely enjoying rights. In the United States, a responsible citizen follows and keeps up with the current affairs, participates in discussions about issues that affect the public, and treats others with respect, no matter their race, gender, religion, or their sexual orientation. A good example would be Brown V. Board of Education, which displayed how segregation separated good citizens based on race, and was crucial in ending segregation in public schools. Voting, in my opinion, is one of the most important ways to fulfill that obligation. Voters have a direct say and right in who runs our communities and how policies are formulated because we live in a democratic republic. Voting keeps the democratic process alive and it keeps leaders accountable to the people. No matter what, the vote is stronger, as said by the Constitution, "We the People". The Constitution is essentially a living pledge of justice and liberty, and this is undoubtedly noted when Barack Obama became the first African American President in 2008. I see the Constitution as the foundation of our national identity, it is a living document and not just a historical document. The Constitution's adaptation of Judicial Review, Privacy, Civil Rights, and more, the establishment of the foundation for governance, defines the boundaries of authority and protects each citizen's fundamental rights. The fundamental principles of freedom and equality are upheld while directing the evolution of our society. A free country is built on this intent, and is why our founding fathers were the greatest political philosophers of their time. To drive the point home, there was a Supreme Court Case that is a perfect juxtaposition to this: Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969). The Case was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1969 that ruled students do not lose their First Amendment rights at school. A God-given right by the constitution. When students were aware of the current affairs of the Vietnam War, they wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, a peaceful and passive protest against leaders who were for the war accountable. The school suspended the students, their parents filed a lawsuit in District Court, which was upheld by the Court of Appeals, and it was argued in the Supreme Court, to which the suspension was deemed unconstitutional because it failed to prove that the protest disrupted school activities. Free speech endures; justice triumphs.

I have always believed that independence, leadership, and driving a car go hand in hand, you're in control of the wheel, you switch the lanes, you break and drive, I have worked hard to prove this in every aspect of my life. Serving as President of the Computer Science Honors Society and Secretary of the Tri-M Music Honor Society at my school has taught me how to lead, collaborate, and take responsibility for important projects. I also positions at school organizations and volunteer work like our local Horticulture club, Fitness club, and Chess club, as I try to push myself into becoming a more independent and more cooperative, empathic man. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA while taking challenging courses has been a little rough, currently taking AP Environmental Science however drives more of my interest than any other class. My knowledge of the natural world has grown as a result of this course. I started to envision a future in which science and technology collaborate to address the currently devastating issues during this class. As I became more knowledgeable about weather patterns and the need of precise forecasting, my interest in meteorology increased. In my opinion, we can give communities quicker, more accurate warnings about severe weather by reimagining weather forecasting using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, thereby saving lives and property. I have had personal difficulties that have strengthened my resolve. It has not been easy to be diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD, having my father pass away at the age of 13, being isolated socially, having problematic online relationships, I have always been dependent on others for feelings and motivation, and it has been a real struggle. But these experiences have taught me to be resilient and persistent. I've learned to deal with my difficulties by engaging with self-soothing mechanisms, asking for help when I need it, and keeping an optimistic outlook. I want to demonstrate that I am not all that different from other people and that overcoming challenges may make one stronger and more compassionate. I want to inspire people going through similar things and help dispel the stigma associated with mental health by sharing my experiences. My empathetic desires lead me wanting to reinvent weather forecasting is what motivates me to pursue a degree in meteorology. I know for sure that artificial intelligence can enhance weather forecasting and produce more precise predictions. Weather has an impact on every aspect of our everyday lives, from what we wear to how secure our cities are during storms, which is why I find this topic so vital. In my ideal future, better predicting will benefit society practically in addition to advancing scientific understanding.

My experiences support my long-held belief that service and leadership are two sides of the same coin. I have assumed positions that need both creativity and accountability, such as Secretary of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and President of the Computer Science Honors Society at Jose Marti STEM Academy in Union City, New Jersey. I've learned how to manage projects, work with a variety of groups, these roles are skills that I use to every part of my life. My experience delivering turkeys to the homeless at a Union City food drive last Thanksgiving shows my motivation to use my abilities and future wealth for philanthropy. In addition, I was able to add to the natural beauty of Union City's First Street Park through my work as a gardener with the Horticulture Club. In addition to giving me a sense of achievement, replanting and maintaining the park's ecosystem deepened my resolve to protect public areas for coming generations. I intend to obtain a Master's or Ph.D. in atmospheric science, and so I'm applying for financial aid. With this assistance, I intend to delve deeply into my research with the goal of discovering things that could improve society and the environment, but furthermore will be able to dedicate philanthropy since I see this ability of economic freedom as a means of giving back. In addition to enabling me to flourish academically, financial aid will enable me to make a significant contribution to my community and beyond. I am particularly interested in information security and cyber security. I have a unique viewpoint on protecting children and youth both in person and online because of my engagement in this industry. I really feel that multiple levels of support are necessary to keep kids safe. First and foremost, parents must keep a close eye on their kids' internet use. Beyond parental supervision, I've discovered that when children's safety is in jeopardy, proactive community action—which may involve actions like publicly denouncing abusers—may be required. Empowering children to speak up is essential; they must know that reaching out for help is not only acceptable but encouraged. In schools, counselors and the dean play a vital role in creating a safe space where every student feels secure. Finally, the support of friends is irreplaceable. When children have caring peers ready to help them, they are less likely to suffer from the effects of bullying, whether it occurs in person or through digital platforms. These varied experiences have given me a solid foundation in empathy, resiliency, and accountability. I am excited to carry on this journey in higher education, where I may advance my research and charitable activities and make sure that the knowledge and compassion I try to live up to serve society at large as well as the scientific community.