Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

I'm writing this essay today in hopes to qualify for the scholarship you currently offer. I'd like to begin by sharing my background with you and why I think I would be a perfect frontrunner for this scholarship.

Going back as far as my great-grandfather, scouting has always been part of our family. My father, great-grandfather, and I are Eagle Scouts. My brother and sister are also with the Scouts. My family believes it to be a great organization that teachers respect to the environment and care for our magnificent planet Earth. During my years growing up as a Scout, I completed many projects, perspired through many hikes, enjoyed many star-filled camping trips and made life-long friendships. Of all my ventures, one endeavor stands above all the rest, and that is the Apprentice Ecologist Project I did on behalf of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project.

This project started as a simple clean-up, and ended up becoming a memorable undertaking. With the help of my Boy Scout friends and parents, I started collecting and recycling trash from a specific area. This area is about 14 miles from my home, in the city of Pompano Beach, Florida (38th Street between North Andrews and Powerline). We requested permission from Tommy Bishop (Realtor) and on February 6th we got the go ahead.

It took endless hours of summer heat, many jugs of water, some mosquito bites and several days of hard work, but we were triumphant. At the end, we collected over 23 pounds of recyclable waste and cleared nearly 45 pounds of trash. The area looked like a prairie when we finished. I realized the importance of caring for our environment more than ever before. Helping the ecosystem heal, provides a number of benefits, starting with promoting the balance of life, encouraging the growth of plants and support of living things. It reminds me how close we are all interconnected with the environment. We thrive, as long as the environment thrives in balance.

Using my skills as a Boy Scout to organize this project made me feel proud of my achievements and reminded me how good it feels to be a good citizen of our fragile planet. We returned several days later to see if our project had held up. We were happy to realize that everything was thriving. Seeing several children playing in the area, reminded me of how important this was to my community as well.

The Apprentice Ecologist Project enriched my life in many ways. First, it helped me realize that we all must make the commitment to maintain our beautiful planet clean and cherish the life it provides. Second, I learned that the good does not end with seeing the improvement in the area, but it continues with the many generations that can now enjoy this little patch of Earth. Third, there is no better way to make friends! I made lots of friends that will be a part of my life for a very long time.

I'm currently a sophomore in high school and upon graduation will pursue a career as a Biologist. Nothing comes close to the study of life itself in this planet. Words cannot describe the miracle that is seeing a delicate plant sprout, or witness the birth of a living animal. There is no greater height than to become a Biologist and dedicate my life the support and development of our precious ecosystem.