Whenever the sun set, I hopped in a golf cart to gather the pins at River Crest Country Club. In the middle of my busy high school life, my job as a golf cart attendant felt therapeutic. It was a chance to breathe as the sky turned pink and orange above me.

I would race down the first fairway. The first three holes are narrow and unforgiving, just like my early high school years when my schedule left little room to breathe. Yet within that pressure I found where I truly belong, spending late nights designing and reprinting a prosthetic arm for an infant, the moment I fell in love with 3D printing. I found joy in the nitpicky, meticulous work where precision is the difference between failure and something life-changing. There’s something exhilarating about those moments, when all my skills come together and I have to perform. Much like the first three holes, I love to thrive in moments of tension. Looking back as the sun turned a warm orange, I felt motivated by the intensity of the first 3 holes because they reminded me of the accuracy and focus I thrive on.

Then, I make my way across the road and the next hole that truly sticks out is the beautiful hole 5. It is a par 5 with a huge fairway. Golfers can take a big swing here with more freedom off the tee. Taking a big swing can also mean reaching for an experience that changes how you see the world. I had the opportunity to volunteer on two brigades to Honduras to provide medical assistance and environmental support to rural communities. These experiences felt like a leap of courage. It reminded me to never stay close-minded and to give back in any scenario necessary. I especially loved helping build eco-friendly stoves for farmers to prevent hypercapnia and solve further respiratory issues. Seeing how one simple concept of ventilating smoke outside a room could change someone's life was very impactful. Hole 5 at sunset brings me back to Honduras, where I learned how rewarding it is to take action and explore the world through giving back.

By the time I reach holes 10–12, the sun has fully set, and the clouds glow with colors that make the hills feel like highlands. These are some of my favorite holes to drive, because they always make me think of my family’s stories. My grandfather used to tell me about his life in Malawi, Africa and the landscapes he described felt just as vast as the hills in front of me. My dad’s family is from India, and together those roots from Africa and Asia remind me that my story has always stretched beyond a flat, confined border. As I stroll through these holes, I reminisce on those stories and think back on the lessons of resilience, tradition, and perspective that guide me wherever I go.

As I finish gathering the pins on holes 16–18, I always feel a sense of closure. These last holes always remind me that every round leads to the next tee box, and every challenge opens the door to another. Watching the sky turn completely dark, I realize that even endings can be beautiful, because they promise a sunrise the next day. As I enter this new stage of my life, I take with me the lessons I’ve learned on and off the course: to embrace pressure, to give back, to honor my roots, and keep rising no matter what, just as the sun sets each night only to rise again the next morning. I’m eager for the next challenge, honored to be named a Forty Acres Scholar, and proud to represent my school with the same curiosity and drive that has carried me this far.

Major
Mechanical Engineering

Other Academic Interests
Business, Robotics, Statistics, Industrial Engineering & Management

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
I was drawn to the Forty Acres Scholars Program because of the chance to be part of a community that thrives on diversity of majors, mindsets, and perspectives. During finalist weekend, I was inspired by the way everyone carried themselves, they were motivated yet humble. I knew immediately this was the kind of group I wanted to belong to. What excites me most is the collaborative spirit, every scholar and staff member is invested in one another’s endeavors, creating a support system that feels both empowering and comforting. I am grateful to be surrounded by people who each bring something unique to the table, and together create a beautiful intellectual feast that will challenge and inspire me for years to come.