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Elaina Barbee

1,885

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

My life goal is to pursue environmental research and combine it with robotics. I've always been fascinated with plants and how they play a role in our ecosystem. Working with plants can benefit us and make our planet more efficient and healthy.

Education

Shades Valley High School

High School
2021 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Majors of interest:

    • Agricultural Engineering
    • Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
    • Botany/Plant Biology
    • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      To do environmental research

    • team member

      Micheals
      2023 – Present2 years

    Arts

    • National art honor society

      Illustration
      2023 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      The greater Birmingham humane society — volunteer
      2024 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Ryan Stripling “Words Create Worlds” Scholarship for Young Writers
    I love writing, it is therapeutic for me and I find enjoyment in creating my own little world, but it also allows me to vent my inner thoughts. I have anxiety, so my mind at times is constantly racing with worries and other ideas, so writing my thoughts down on a piece of paper is a release for me. This release is a rush or relief for me. I like to think I'm writing a script for a movie. It is easier to write in a screenplay format than to write a normal manuscript. Something about this style of writing feels more professional and makes my ideas flow easier. I plan to continue writing while I’m in college, maybe writing a series of short stories to publish, just for fun, even if it doesn't get any notoriety. I want to create a manga-based style-inspired comic series, as I love the combination of writing and art. The way the visuals can complement the literary layout in a storyboard gives a clear picture of how I express myself. Aside from the creative process, I keep a daily practice of journaling. Journaling is a coping method I use to help me with my anxiety as well as using it as a way to reflect. I have Asperger's so I have a hard time expressing myself verbally, which causes my anxiety disorder to flare up since I is hard for me to calm down. In a short way to explain anything that can be considered a small inconvenience to others, can at times be amplified in my mind, and my thoughts would start racing non-stop. Whenever my anxiety is like this, I experience a mental meltdown, creating a severe negative effect, making me feel physically sick to the point it feels impossible to get out of bed because of the lack of sleep, and at times it is hard. I have a habit of stress eating as a way to cope with my anxiety, or it just feels impossible to eat because of the state of my mental health. I started journaling to help manage my anxiety, along with other methods such as meditation, and retreat to a quiet space to calm myself down. Whenever I journal my thoughts down, I feel better and it feels like my mind is at peace because I found a way to directly express my worries so it doesn't feel like I am carrying a weight around with me everywhere. Journaling allows me to clear my mind of all my racing thoughts. Writing has become a way for me to express myself emotionally and artistically.
    Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship
    I advocate for doing small activities to build a small community for people who share the same interests, whether art or sport, and everyone should feel included. I need this scholarship to help pay for books and housing. Since I am a twin, it will be expensive for my parents to put us both through college. I try to build a connection with people so they feel like they have someone to confide in, and have a community network to watch over the neighborhood, to keep an eye on what is going on in the area, to help keep kids safe. One way to help keep them safe is to educate the parents and grandparents about the dangers of unmonitored time on the internet for younger kids. When it comes to the internet, parents and grandparents should be educated on the positives and negatives of what can happen online. Things such as cyberbullying, Phishing, and pop-up scams are issues that they should be made aware of, so they can help protect minor children from predators. The parents and grandparents should also be educated on how they can report these issues. Both the children and guardians should be made aware of the importance of limiting the amount of time spent on social media platforms. By limiting the time spent on social media, it can help protect the children's mental health and also allow them to take a break from technology to get outside and enjoy nature. By creating a space where people share the same interest as like-minded individuals, it helps them find friends they can bond and relate to. In-person bullying is also an issue, that needs to be addressed. In contrast to online bullying, you can see the people bullying others face to face. When witnessing bullying or being bullied, it is important to have someone to confide in. Someone that you trust will help stop the harassment. Understanding that there is a community or neighborhood network of friends you confide in, can build up the courage to report what is going on. Unfourntly, cyberbullying is something that can follow anyone anywhere, in contrast to in-person bullying, you can have a safe space. People turn to the internet to find people they can relate to, and they can be easily taken advantage. More often than not, people can fall victim to cyberbullying, because they are looking for someone to understand them or someone experiencing something similar they are going through. This is why it is important to have a good network or community around you at all times. Rather than searching for a stranger to speak with online, children can reach out to someone they trust that is close to them. If that doesn’t appear to solve the issue, then seeking professional help through therapy could be an answer as well. Either way, putting a child's mental health first should always be the priority. Surround yourself with people who care about you, whether it is your family, community, or friends, just talking to someone about your feelings can help.
    Elaina Barbee Student Profile | Bold.org