	Kayla Chapman is this year’s recipient of a Foundation Grosswirth – Salny Scholarship of $500. Kayla resides in Anaheim and will graduate from the Oxford Academy in that city. It is Kayla’s intention to pursue a career in architecture and she has already been accepted by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she will continue studies in that field.
Since the day I began drawing at age three, I have been fascinated by the notion of creating something from scratch, the ability to transform an idea into something tangible. That fascination has grown into a desire to design the space around me, utilizing my passions for art and solving problems. During my experience as an architectural intern, I realized that the field naturally complements my artistic values of originality and innovation, as well as my systematic values of structure and organization. Now that I am a high school senior ready to embark on her journey as an architecture major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo next year, it’s exciting to realize that I am considerably close to becoming the architect I have been dreaming about for years. I always knew I was different my other students my age, because whenever I would travel on family vacations or school fieldtrips, I’d first notice the landmarks around me. The French-inspired beach houses in Huntington Beach, the Googie Architecture of Palm Springs shops, the high ceilings of various museums, I noticed everything. My friends were oblivious. When I discovered that architecture combined math and art, I was ecstatic. Earning A’s in every math class since elementary school could finally amount to something other than letters on my report cards. In ninth grade, I enrolled in a course designated for career and college preparation. Under Mrs. Jensen’s instruction, I took several tests and surveys which matched me with ideal careers that fit my values, skills, and attributes. Design-related careers always topped the lists, including architecture. In that same course, I researched colleges to fit my personality and career choice and I came across Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a university on the beautiful coast of California with nationally ranked programs in architecture and engineering. I knew almost immediately after reading the campus profile that it was the college for me. Every activity and every grade mattered from that point forward, since Cal Poly’s acceptance rates were a mere 26% for architecture. My natural motivation and discipline allowed me to earn a position as an architectural intern for an independent architect in eleventh grade. A couple of times each week for six months, I performed administrative duties for PHA Architect, learning most importantly the process of how architects collaborate with contractors, engineers, and clients to construct an ultimate design. Coincidentally, my boss graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; I made a habit of asking questions about the campus, architecture program, and possible career routes after obtaining my Bachelor’s degree. With my grades from three AP classes in tact, a GPA of 4.57, several school activities, and this architecture internship, I prayed that Cal Poly would recognize my potential as a student. On December 7th , 2006, I had been officially accepted into Cal Poly’s architecture program for early decision. The moment I received that phone call, I realized that my self-discipline, focus, and motivation were worth the hundreds of hours of homework, studying, and extracurricular involvement. My dreams are unfolding before my eyes, and I will continue to achieve my architecture goals as a freshman next year, learning from talented artists and engineers how to transform my creativity into tangible designs which are both practical and aesthetically appealing.
	Other winning essays: Kristin Hinkley of Mission Viejo, Simone Jensen of Laguna Niguel, and Chelsea Maxwell of Mission Viejo. (Click on their names to read their essays.)