“Participating in my first Orange County Science and Engineering Fair will forever be one of my dearest and most treasured memories. Not only did this event mark the beginning of my scientific journey/career but it also allowed me to expand on my realm of knowledge, and it helped me grow not only as a student but as a scientist, researcher, and fellow colleague. This experience was truly a journey full of obstacles and challenges from trying to figure out the exact ratio of calcium chloride to sodium alginate to modifying our procedure in order to embed copper oxide nanoparticles onto cotton fabric. Nevertheless, this experience was genuinely full of fun, joy, and laughter.”