Listening to the wave’s crash on the rocks, smelling the crisp air, and
watching the sunset are all part of the wonder and beauty of Michigan.
This state is an exceptional place to many people, primarily for its
beautiful scenery and abundance of fresh water. The picture above of Lake
Superior at sunset captures the divine tranquility of such massive bodies
of fresh water. Growing up in Michigan, I have grown to love this state.
After all, how many other states can you use your hand as a map? I love
this unique aspect of Michigan!

Currently, I attend Michigan Technological University. Even though this
university is nine hours away from home, I could not ask for a more
beautiful place to attend college. Watching the waves of Lake Superior
crash on the shore, catching snowflakes on my tongue, and hiking through
pristine wilderness are all experiences I wish more college campuses could
offer.

I am a third year student studying Environmental Engineering and I truly
have a passion for water. I am currently working on a project with
Engineers without Borders in Bolivia concerning point of use water
treatment systems, which has allowed me to learn more about the global
water situation. This has led me to become more concerned about the fresh
water surrounding Michigan. We need to keep our water clean, unpolluted
and in the Great Lakes! As fresh water around the world becomes scarcer,
people are going to continually look to the Great Lakes. They fluctuate
annually with snowmelt and rainfall, but there is no constant input of
water. If large quantities start being pumped out of the lakes, there
will be nothing to replenish them.

My vision for Michigan is to keep the sense of serenity throughout the
state as well as conserve our water in a sustainable way. After finishing
school, I would like to work to help Michigan by conserving one of the
most precious resources our state has. By doing so, I hope that everyone
will get the chance to experience the Great Lakes surrounding such an
extraordinary state.