Category: College

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2025 Scholarship Winner Spotlight: Japteg Singh-Bamrah

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been spotlighting our 2025 Build A Better Future Scholarship recipients. Each of our winners worked hard to design and execute a project that bettered their community. Their determination, hard work, and perseverance was inspiring. You can read more about each of the projects here. 

Each year, we choose five projects that have been especially inspiring to receive a $10,000 scholarship. On top of that, one of those five projects is chosen as our top project, with the winner receiving an additional $5,000 grant to continue their project. This year’s top winner was Japteg Singh-Bamrah, whose project, The SolarMech Engine, aimed to help rural farmers obtain energy by harvesting the power of the sun, thus improving their livelihood and capacity to continue farming, even when the area’s power is out. 

Japteg is from Punjab, India, and recently moved here to the states. He will be attending Purdue University where he will be studying Robotics Engineering Technology. He loves science, and has been particularly drawn to physics. He finds great joy in building and creating, which he was able to use for his project. He said his favorite snack (and form of self-care) is a hot cup of noodles— which he likes to enjoy while sitting in a cold, dark room with Netflix on. 

The SolarMech Engine was born when Japteg was in 10th grade and was required to do a project that reflected his interests. His initial idea was to do something based around food and cooking, but after he spotted an old toy steam engine sitting on his bedroom shelf on night, his mind began to conjure up a new plan. He said, “If I had to describe it, I’d say the inspiration was like a tornado—many factors swirling together and creating something powerful. Just seeing [the steam engine] reminded me of how fascinated I used to be with moving mechanical parts and engines. That changed everything. I ditched the cooking idea and started researching different kinds of engines instead. As I read more, a new idea took shape in my mind: What if I could build an engine that used solar heat as its only fuel? It seemed like a crazy and ambitious idea at the time, but I felt so drawn to it that I decided to give it everything I had.”

Initially, the SolarMech Engine wasn’t designed with a particular need or demographic in mind; it was designed purely out of innovation and curiosity to see if it would actually work. However, it didn’t stay that way for long. He said, “Things changed when I switched schools after 10th grade… My new school was located in a more rural region, near the foothills of Badhani. That’s when everything started falling into place.
During my daily commute to and from school, I saw so many farmers using handpumps to draw water, old diesel-powered flour mills running in completely unhygienic conditions, and even in our school, the power supply was so unreliable that we had to rely on bulky, polluting diesel generators. I was seeing all of this every day, and it started to bother me more and more. That’s when it hit me—my engine could actually be useful here.
The SolarMech Engine, with its ability to generate both electricity and heat from solar energy, could be a game-changer for these communities. It could reduce their dependence on diesel, provide a cleaner way to run small-scale machines like flour mills, and even help with heating during the harsh winters in that area. And later, we even considered that the same engine could be used for cold storage applications, which would be very helpful for preserving harvested crops.
So yes, the connection to this demographic came after the idea was born, but once I saw the match between the two, I knew I had to pursue it.”

When Japteg first began bringing his idea to life, he didn’t have access to a lab, funding, or other materials he’d need. Rather than give up, he worked with what he did have access to: steel cans, balloons, and bicycle spokes. Japteg eventually realized that if he wanted to continue to push his project forward and create a useable machine, he would need funding and access to materials. His project paused for over a year, until he came across the Jigyasa EPIC Hackathon, which is a national-level innovation challenge put on by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Japteg was surprised when his project was chosen to be in the top 50 projects (out of over 1,500!). This gave him a confidence boost as well as access to the support he’d been needing to continue his project. 

He was paired with Dr. Nasir UI Rasheed at CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and the project took off from there. Now, with access to a research lab, funding from CSIR, as well as equipment needed to experiment with, Japteg was able to really push forward with his idea. About this, he said, “We tried five different engine configurations and three types of solar collector designs, testing them at various altitudes and temperatures. Eventually, we found that a vertical dual-piston, no-valve engine with a hexagonal center-cut collector plate gave the best performance.” In addition to Dr. Rasheed’s mentorship, Japteg’s mother, father, and brother were incredibly helpful and supportive. The project took first place in the Hackathon! You can read more about that here.

As with any project of this scale, there are bound to be setbacks. In addition to the initial lack of access to needed materials and funding, Japteg also experienced difficulty with time management, rejection from an engineering professor, and resistance from his mother when he first began his work. All of these problems were met with determination, and Japteg was able to work through them. 

One of the biggest concerns he faced was the fact that he was moving to the United States— he would need to find new support systems, teammates, and figure out where to gain lab access. Despite this challenge, Japteg is determined to continue his work on the SolarMech Engine while at Purdue. He is hoping to use resources available at the university as well as to gain the support and help of like-minded peers and professors. His goal is to move from a model to a field-deployable machine, and he has every plan to make that happen! 

Since the project is still in the works, it has not yet been deployed on a large scale. However, with the few machines that have been created, Japteg was able to demonstrate his SolarMech Engine to some farmers. Those that were able to see how the machine worked were excited and hopeful that they would soon be able to benefit from Japteg’s innovative idea. 

What an amazing idea that will no doubt change the lives of many, particularly the farmers who will be able to use the SolarMech Engine. We are excited to see the impact of Japteg’s work as he continues to move forward with his project!

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2025 Scholarship Winner Spotlight: Eva McIver-Jenkins & Ava Gonnella

Back in April, when our Build A Better Future Scholarship Applications were due, I was reading through submissions, finding myself very impressed with the caliber of projects that students had done. There were so many incredible projects submitted, and choosing winners was hard! A couple of projects really stuck out to me and the team, one of which was a project called “Laps for Philly”, and was spearheaded by Eva McIver-Jenkins and Ava Gonnella. 

First, a little about these two brilliant minds! Ava and Eva recently graduated high school in Pennsylvania. This fall, Ava will be attending Fairfield University, where she will be rowing and studying economics. She is the oldest of three, enjoys spending time outside, learning to play the ukulele, and ice cream. Eva will be attending Brown University, where she will be studying biomedical engineering. She has been swimming competitively for 12 years, loves math, and Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream (especially after a long practice).

Ava and Eva were given the opportunity to resurrect a project that had previously attempted to raise funds for swimming lessons at a community pool. The project, called Laps for Philly, was driven by the goal to provide swimming lessons for underprivileged kids. Ava and Eva felt passionate about this project because, as swimmers themselves, they understood just how important water safety is. They both noticed racial and economic disparities in access to swimming. Ava wrote, “I’ve seen firsthand how valuable swimming is—not only for safety but also for confidence, connection, and community. That realization inspired us to launch Laps for Philly, a project rooted in both equity and empowerment.” 

Eva began her swimming journey on a predominantly Black swim team. They practiced in a pool that was lacking in resources. This experience was part of the driving force behind Eva’s desire to provide accessible swimming lessons to children in similar circumstances. She said, “Laps for Philly serves young students in underserved Philadelphia communities who often lack access to affordable swim lessons, safe pool facilities, and consistent aquatic programming. These communities face systemic barriers to swimming access, including financial constraints, facility shortages, and historical underrepresentation in the sport. The project was created in direct response to this need, with the goal of providing swim education, promoting water safety, and building pathways for equitable participation in aquatics.” Ava also felt a pull to help young swimmers have the access they needed to succeed. 

Once they had the idea and goal of their project worked out, they needed to figure out the logistics— funding, locations, access to materials, and so on. They began by researching and learning how other organizations had approached the issue and looked into what resources were already available for them to use. From there, they began to network with their school, community members, coaches, and families. They developed a plan to raise awareness, raise funds, and even built a youth ambassador program. They raised money through a swim-a-thon and other creative events, encouraging community members to participate or donate to the cause. They reached out to their school for help as well, and used social media to spread the word about their cause. 

Eva and Ava didn’t let any roadblocks stop their dream from becoming a reality. Eva wrote, “One of our biggest challenges was finding space for our fundraisers and building partnerships with schools and pools. Coordinating with multiple organizations and aligning schedules took time and patience.” They learned to communicate, lean on each other, and to stay flexible. They also learned to adapt to needs as they changed or came up. These obstacles were learning experiences and eventually led to a stronger system and better leadership. 

Even both girls will be away attending college, Laps for Philly will continue to make an impact on young swimmers. Ava said, “we’ve been intentional about creating a structure that can grow with or without us. We’ve built a team that includes younger ambassadors who will carry on the mission, and we’re working on expanding our board and community roles so leadership is sustainable.” What a brilliant idea to structure the project to be able to continue to grow for years to come! 

The impact that has been seen through this project has been incredible. Ava wrote, “We also saw how the project helped people feel seen and valued, especially when they realized the work was being led by students who truly cared. This project has helped over 50 families learn to swim!” Involving the community is an excellent way to spread awareness and include all kinds of people. Eva wrote, “The community response was overwhelming in the best way. People wanted to help—through donations, volunteering, or signing their children up for swim lessons…. Laps for Philly became a movement that extended beyond our original vision.”

Not only did this project impact their community, both Eva and Ava said the personal impact was also great. They learned how to be leaders, work together, and work through challenges. They found that passion alone was not enough to sustain a project of this magnitude— they also needed community support and structure. Both girls found a sense of purpose through participation in this project, and are better people because of it. 

What an incredible, powerful project! You can tell that both Eva and Ava are passionate about water safety and proper swimming technique. They want to share that knowledge and passion with others who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Their impact has been great, and will continue to be so as their organization keeps growing and changing! Good work, girls!

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2025 Scholarship Winner Spotlight: Maria Avila-Silva

Today I’m spotlighting another one of our incredible Build A Better Future Scholarship awardees, Maria Avila-Silva. Maria’s project, called Pathfinders, was founded with the goal to help immigrant and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students like herself build confidence and find access to the resources needed for post-high school education.

Maria resides in Florida, where she recently graduated from high school. She also completed two semesters of the Innovation Academy Program at the University of Florida. She will be attending Santa Fe College this fall, with plans to major in economics on the pre-med track. Maria and her family immigrated to the United States from Venezuela when she was in middle school, and her favorite treat is Cri-Cri, which is a chocolate bar from Venezuela. 

When Maria and her family moved here to the US, she remembers feeling isolated, alone, and unseen. She didn’t know the language and felt intimidated. Because of her experience, she had the desire to help other immigrant students so they did not feel the same isolation and confusion she did. She told me, “I didn’t want anyone to feel as unseen or unsupported as I once did. I wanted to make sure that every student, no matter where they came from or what their background looked like, could have a fair and equal chance at going to college and pursuing something they love. I knew that without guidance, that dream could be out of reach for many so I became the person I once needed.” Thus, the idea of Pathfinders was born. 

Maria began by speaking with teachers to get their feedback, then researched strategies on how to teach and motivate students. She wanted to create a safe space for the students who would come through her program. While her project didn’t have any large expenses, there were some costs that needed to be covered. Maria wrote, “I… covered the costs myself, from snacks to materials, using money from a part-time job. I wanted students to know someone believed in them enough to invest in them personally.”

Projects like this don’t come without their difficulties. For Maria, that meant trying to balance her project with her own academic responsibilities. She quickly learned strong time management skills, learned to prioritize, plan ahead, and ask for help when it was needed. 

As she learned to balance it all, the project grew and so did its impact. Not only did Pathfinders make a difference for immigrant and ESOL students, the general student body began to take notice, bringing more understanding and respect for the immigrant ESOL students. The students involved with Pathfinders became more confident— asking questions, getting involved, and finding a place in their school community. With Maria’s guidance and help, students in Pathfinders were able to apply for (and some even received) scholarships, apply to college, and find the resources they needed to be successful. This program created a family of students, who came together from different backgrounds, all with a common goal— to feel seen, included, and successful.

Though she is preparing to begin her college courses, Maria plans to maintain contact with her students, and to continue to be available to answer their questions about college, scholarships, and housing, or to simply talk through their concerns. Maria’s goal was to help students find their way and purpose, and in doing so, she also found hers. She said, “I made lifelong friendships and learned the true value of showing up for others. It taught me that action speaks louder than words, and that change doesn’t have to come from a big organization or a massive budget, it can start with one person deciding not to stay silent. It deepened my love for community work and affirmed that my purpose lies in using my voice to empower others. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would, a thousand times over.”

What an amazing project, Maria! I have no doubt you made an incredible and lasting impact on the students you worked with and helped. Thank you for sharing your talents and passion with the students involved in Pathfinders, and for allowing us to get a glimpse into the amazing and powerful change you brought. We wish you the best of luck as you move forward with your college career!

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What I Wish I’d Known: College Edition

Remember when you were younger and you used to think about what life would look like after you graduated high school? You’d dream about setting up your college dorm, hanging out with your roommates, and living your best college life. You could hardly wait for the day to come! It seemed like you’d be stuck in high school for ever, but looking back now, it went by in the blink of an eye. And that day you so anxiously anticipated? It’s almost here. In fact, reality might be starting to set in as you get closer to your first day of college. It’s new and exciting, but also maybe a little bit scary. And that’s okay. You’ve never done this before, so of course there are going to be some hesitations and uncertainties.

But you know what? You can do this! You’ve got lots of people cheering you on and wanting you to succeed. Everyone’s college experience will be different and unique to them, but somewhere along the way, everyone needs help figuring out this new stage of life. Here are a few tips I wish I would have known before starting college!

1- It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to major in!

Start with your generals, and maybe take a class or two that focus on a couple of areas of study you are leaning toward. It’s also okay to switch your major part way through your schooling. I went into college thinking I wanted to be an elementary or early childhood educator, then switched to nursing, and then, ultimately, I decided secondary education was the best fit for me. Did it take me a tad longer to get through my degree because of that? Yep. But I don’t regret it one bit; I graduated knowing that I was getting a degree in what I wanted. I had explored other options, realized they weren’t for me, and found what was. 

2- Learn how to manage your time.

You’re an adult now— you’ve got to figure out a time management system that works for you. If you need to get a planner to organize assignments, study times, and social events, then get a planner. If you know you study best in the morning, make sure to set aside time for that. If you get going along and discover that something isn’t working for you, make adjustments as needed. Make sure you are getting enough sleep so that your mind is clear and ready to learn and focus. Balancing school, work, social, and other life responsibilities can be tricky. Be sure to prioritize what you need to and fill in the remainder of your time with the rest. But one thing is sure— don’t forget to schedule time for some self care and fun. You’ll burn yourself out if you hide away and only do school work. Your studies are important, but so are you— take time to take care of yourself!

3- Create a support system.

This is especially important if you have moved away from home to attend college. Find yourself a group of people who can support you and help you. You might have different groups for different needs— perhaps you will find one group of friends from within your major, and you all study together and help each other learn the content. Maybe you will find friends who are your go-tos during down time and fun times. Whatever the case may be, make sure you have people to lean on, and equally as important, make sure that you are that person for someone else! 

4- Have fun!

College is such a fun time of life. You have the chance to meet so many new and interesting people. Invest in relationships that will last a lifetime. Set boundaries for yourself and make sure you are safe in all the ways. Take time to slow down and relax when you can. Don’t be so focused on school that you forget how beautiful life is. Maintain your hobbies the best you can, and cultivate friendships with people you can do those hobbies with. Figure out who you are and where you stand with important political, social, and ethical issues. Get out and explore the area around you. Remember that your experience is what you make it— so make it a good one!

This is an exciting time of life for so many reasons. Take the chance, make the memories, and do your best— life is so much richer if you do!

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What I Wish I Would Have Known

It’s graduation season! It’s a bittersweet milestone, but is definitely one to be celebrated. I remember my graduation day, and remember feeling so anxious but excited. I had my whole life planned out, and I was just sure it was going to go exactly how I wanted it to: go to college with my best friend, find a good guy and get married by 23, graduate as a nurse, have some kids, and so on. Boy was I in for a surprise when my plans didn’t follow that timeline, nor did most of my plans actually happen. I went to a different college than my friend, switched majors from nursing to elementary education, back to nursing, then eventually got my degree in secondary education. I didn’t get married until I was 30, and the kids came soon after that. As I think back and reflect on how the last 23 years of my live have gone, I’m glad my original plans didn’t follow my timeline. I would have missed out on so many things that were crucial to me becoming who I am today. But man, sometimes I wish I could go back and tell my naive 18 year old self a thing or to to give her some advice and encouragement about the future.

I figured other people might feel the same way, and might have something to say to their 18 year old selves. I asked several people what they would tell themselves, if they knew then what they know now. The answers ranged from the silly and light hearted to the serious and profound. So seniors, this one’s for you– a little advice from people who have been there, done that, and want to pass on some words of wisdom!

  • Don’t rush growing up. You will never have it all figured out.
  • Trust your gut.
  • Travel more, work hard, don’t spend more than you earn, save, believe, and invest in yourself.
  • Every life event and breakup led me to my husband and life I have today, and I wouldn’t change that.
  • At 18, I didn’t know it would take me 10 more years to get married. Don’t worry about that.
  • Don’t open a credit card— save for what you want/need.
  • Love YOUR life. Don’t worry about what others say or do. Let them live the life they want. You choose you!
  • It’s okay to not know what you want to major in. It’s okay to switch majors— college is an investment. Make sure you are getting out of it what you want.
  • Not all friendships will last past graduation. That’s ok. There’s new friends out there.
  • You are worth it. You matter.
  • If college isn’t your thing, it’s ok. It doesn’t have to be. 
  • Spend time with those you love.
  • Never miss a chance to say thank you or I love you.
  • Take the risk— if it works out, awesome! If not, you learned from it and are better for it.
  • Make the effort to study and challenge yourself.
  • Advice given by others is second, learn to hear your own voice first and loudest.
  • It’s worth hanging around to see how the story ends.
  • The smart thing to do and the right thing to do are very rarely the same thing to do. But it never changes what the right thing to do is. Choose what is right. Always.
  • Take more pictures.
  • Always trust your instincts.
  • Apply for all the things! Enjoy everything!
  • Feeling dread all the time isn’t normal— it’s ok to get help if you need it.
  • Keep doing what makes yourself proud.
  • You’ll have so much more fun and peace if you don’t stress about dating. Don’t rush it!
  • Give yourself some grace.
  • You don’t have to have it all figured out at 18. The best is yet to come!
  • It’s ok to not know what you want.
  • Work on yourself— make yourself the kind of person you want to be.
  • Don’t be afraid. Go for it. If you fail, then try something else.
  • Try to save money.
  • Be smart with money.
  • Get the degree. Be able to support yourself.
  • If your friends are dragging you down, ditch them.
  • Don’t settle for less!
  • Be flexible— sometimes things don’t go the way you hoped they would, and you have to adapt and adjust. 
  • Look for the good in people.
  • Look for the good in every day. 
  • Be patient and the right partner will come when you are doing what you need to be doing.
  • Focus on figuring out what you want to do and work towards that goal.
  • Be gentle on yourself. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small.
  • You are doing amazing things.
  • You can do hard things.
  • Everyone you come across is fighting some kind of battle you know nothing about. Be kind.
  • Be patient with yourself and with others. We’re all doing the best we can.

Take a minute and reflect on your graduation day– what would you tell yourself?

Congratulations to the class of 2025! You did it!

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Build A Better Future Scholarship- Thank You!

The Build A Better Scholarship application deadline has officially passed! I’m excited to dive into the applications and read about the projects that you all have been working so hard on. I know it’s hard to wait, but please be patient with me as I make my way through the applications. The goal is to have winners chosen and notified by May 1, 2025.

Thank you again!

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Trade Schools– Anything but an Easy Out

I was talking with my friend and a teen girl in our neighborhood the other day, and the topic of jobs came up. My friend mentioned that her brother worked for our city doing various things such as snow plowing, clearing water lines, driving the city’s bigger trucks, etc. The young girl who was with us misunderstood and thought that meant he was also a garbage truck driver. Her immediate response was, “Ew! I wouldn’t want to do that!” We clarified that he didn’t drive the garbage trucks, explained again what it was that he did, then talked about how important all jobs are. Can you even imagine a world without our garbage workers, snow plow drivers, and sewer technicians? I don’t even want to think about what things would be like without hard working people who do those jobs. 

There are so many kinds of jobs out there— there is something for everyone— and not every job requires a bachelor’s degree or higher. Colleges and universities offer a wide selection of degrees and areas of study. While traditional colleges are great for some, they aren’t great for everyone. So what do you do if you want an education, but don’t really want to attend a traditional college or university? Perhaps a trade school might be a good fit!

Trade schools are so valuable! They provide education and opportunities to many people, and the jobs they train and educate people for are essential jobs in our society. Trade schools offer a wide variety of career training options— such as skilled trades, medical, business, automotive, digital arts, and more. These career fields are crucial! We need people who can properly and safely install the electrical wiring in a new building. We need nurse assistants and dental hygienists. If it weren’t for auto mechanics, a lot of us would be in heaps of trouble when our cars stopped working correctly. Imagine the chaos that could happen if your water lines burst— thank goodness for plumbers! Welders are crucial for creating the steel infrastructure of large buildings. Cosmetologists keep us looking our best. I’m especially thankful for HVAC techs who come fix my air conditioning when it breaks in the middle of a heat wave! 

Not only do trade schools provide the necessary education for these important jobs, they also provide hands on training and experience. Many offer apprenticeships, allowing students to dive right into the nitty-gritty of their chosen field. Experience is truly the best educator. I know I certainly wouldn’t be too excited about having a phlebotomist attempt to draw my blood without any prior practice, nor would I trust someone to properly install electrical wiring and components in my home who hasn’t had hands-on experience doing so. 

Other kinds of jobs have their own specific “trade” schools. Police officers, pilots, and others have specialized schools and academies that only offer instruction that is very specific to that particular career field. These schools are often separate from other programs and colleges. 

Traditional colleges and universities are valuable in their own right, and so are trade schools. They each have their value and place. It truly is an amazing thing to have so many kinds of education at our fingertips. There really is something for everyone. Trade schools are every bit as important as a four year college, master’s program, or doctorate program. They each provide specialized instruction for many career areas and allow for people of all walks of life to gain the necessary education for their interests.