The Chemical Reaction That Is Nicholas A. Harris Nicholas Andrew Harris

In one hand you have a beaker filled with a diluted solution of hydrochloric acid, which is one of the strongest acids you can concoct. In the other, you have another beaker filled with one of the strongest bases, sodium hydroxide. If anyone would digest either of these chemicals, there would be severe consequences for them, but when mixed together under the right conditions, a chemist can create water and salt. Nothing is ingested more than water and salt. This is the fascinating part of chemistry, the ability to mix two things together to form a compound that is 100% different. I see this process evident in my own life. I hope the final product of my life is a successful engineer who has made a name for himself as a hard-working person, who balances his demanding job and his loving family, while still managing to give something back to the community whenever he has the opportunity.

My first reactant, the hardworking trait, began because I am the youngest of four boys in a family of seven. Each of my brothers had a unique personality. While this allowed me to experience all the trials and tribulations of my brothers’ paths of life, I needed to make my own path. I explored many different possibilities throughout my life, but I...