Compassion, Courage, a Little Grease, Learning to Speak Up by Grace

Compassion, Courage, a Little Grease, Learning to Speak Up by Grace - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

"Wow, I thought that was your son under the car, not your daughter."
I heard this almost daily while helping my father restore salvaged trucks. No one ever expected it to be his daughter with grease-covered hands and scraped knuckles, but it was. At first, those comments made me want to either hide further under the truck or try to prove that I belonged there. Over time, however, I learned to remain confident and compassionate in places where I was often underestimated.

That realization didn't happen all at once. It formed over time. I played on the boys' soccer team until I was no longer allowed. I enrolled in my high school's aerospace engineering program, where I am one of only four women. As an intern in the PROOF Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology, I am the only girl on my team. In each of these spaces, I stand out before I ever speak. For a long time, I believed that standing out was my weakness.

I had a defining moment that helped me realize that my viewpoint mattered, regardless of my gender. During a state engineering competition, my team, all men, and I had to build a structure capable of withstanding simulated hurricane-force winds. I had an idea that went against my male team's conventional design idea, but I held back from sharing it. Eventually, I spoke up. The silence in the room was terrifying, but I quickly saw that my idea sparked discussion and consideration. That was the moment I realized my viewpoint was an asset. While my idea was risky, it worked, and we advanced to nationals.

That moment reinforced my confidence and taught me to advocate for my ideas. I learned how to share my viewpoint. Continually proving myself has not been easy, but it has taught me how to communicate my ideas without diminishing others. These qualities did not come naturally; they were built through doubt, some failures, and a lot of persistence.

All of these experiences led me to pursue electrical engineering in college. I want to design technology that reflects who I am, not what I am: thoughtful, determined, and willing to take risks. I have seen how teams without representation often struggle to communicate effectively. Creating inclusive teams supports open dialogue and better solutions. Representation doesn't just change the landscape; it changes the perspectives and what is possible.

Inspiring other women to pursue careers in technology is personal to me. I know firsthand how intimidating it can feel to be the only woman in the room. Still, I know how important it is to continually show up, ask questions, and contribute my ideas. My goal is to mentor younger girls who may not yet see themselves reflected in STEM fields. Young women need to know that their ideas matter and are just as important as those of their male counterparts. From playing soccer to restoring vehicles to studying aerospace systems, I've learned that the strongest teams and ideas come from diverse groups working together, and I will inspire younger women to take risks and realize they belong.