In March of 2020, with COVID-19 shutting down school, and therefore my social life, I quickly realized that I could either sit at home and grovel in my worries (about what COVID-19 would do to the world, my world, and my family), or I could do something to make a difference, while also giving myself the peace of mind that I was doing all I could to prevent an undesirable outcome. I decided to start printing face shields (Personal Protective Equipment - PPE). Soon enough, I found a group in New York City to send them to. The day after I started printing, I reached out to my school district and asked if I could borrow their 3D printer to expand my production. In response, my school agreed and posted an article about what I was doing on their Facebook page. Thereafter, things skyrocketed. Within 24 hours, I was contacted by local robotics teams and businesses who were offering to loan their 3D printers to me, bringing the total number of printers to ten. However, things still didn’t slow down.

One of the teachers I talked to about borrowing equipment had let Fox News 29 know what I was up to, and they wanted to do a story on me! It was an experience I’ll never forget; I was partly terrified. It was go time! When I had first contacted the school, I had envisioned myself becoming a significant player in helping supply these essential pieces of equipment, but now, it was time to make that happen. It was the turning point, and it worked. The news story aired. (https://www.fox29.com/news/local-teen-uses-3d-printer-to-help-healthcare-workers-in-the-covid-19-fight) I watched it, intimidated and hopeful, but more than anything else, I was a little embarrassed, even though the news story was great! The next day, I woke up to find that the GoFundMe page I had started had raised over $1,000, a third of its goal. It was a great moment—but the pressure was on to make things happen.

With the donated funds and materials, I was able to repair and bring online 7 out of 10 printers, and immediately print 300 frames and fully assemble 200 shields for delivery to nurses and doctors desperate for the equipment. Five short days before, this had not even been imaginable. Ultimately, I was able to provide over 2,300 face shields to frontline workers. It’s easy for me to say that I had never been more tired or stressed in my life, but I can also say for certain I had never before felt more fulfilled. I had the feeling of being in the right place at the right time. I felt like a part of the civilization I had always looked up to—the people who for World War II built ships and planes in record time. I feel like I now have a small place among them in the history of manufacturing might, and the story of how the American people work together to survive. I had no idea what I could accomplish. All it took for me to find out was to say yes to my own ideas, to understand that someone had to do it, and realize there was no reason that that someone couldn’t be me.