My Big Dream ( by Ethan )

       About two years ago, my mother showed me a gif of a sea turtle who had a straw stuck in her nose. I used to use straws all the time, and more than once a day, too. Immediately after watching the gif, I was struck with a whirlwind of emotions. I was extremely hurt by the gif of the turtle, so much so that I still remember it to this day. 

      I realized that plastic straws, while a convenient, durable method (that is, they don’t get soggy and break down like paper straws) of drinking things, can end up harming animals, like that turtle. Since then, I have stopped using plastic straws altogether. But, when I go to any restaurant, I still see people using plastic straws.

    And this is where my big dream comes in: Developing a new biodegradable straw that is as inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and versatile as a plastic straw.  Instead of cluttering our oceans and harming marine life, my biodegradable straw can decompose into compost which can then be used to plant trees.  

    There are four reasons why people use plastic straws despite the harm to the environment and animals, like sea turtles:

1. They are especially cheap, unlike those metal reusable straws, so people’s wallets stay happy.
2. They are appreciably durable, they don’t break like glass, and can also stand the test of time.
3. They’re easy to manufacture, because they do not need advanced equipment to produce.
4. They can withstand being submerged in liquids like water without getting soggy and turning into mush like paper straws. 

   To overcome these perceived benefits of plastic straws, my product will need to provide similar advantages while also protecting sea turtles and other ocean creatures.

     So what will I need to accomplish this? Patience, perseverance, and investing in lots of things: knowledge, health, money, and time to name a few, particularly the last two. Knowledge: I will need to know much advanced chemistry to make the chemical properties of this new material suitable for human use, and biology to make sure that it is safe for all species. Health: I cannot accomplish things with an ill body or mind. Money: Everything comes at a price. Time: Not all changes are immediate. This enterprise can take years to carry out.

    Now, I am in 7th grade. After ten years, I will be just graduating from college, so I can have a startup to make my dream reality. Here is a ten-year plan I made to cover the cost for developing a biodegradable straw. 

     Based on my online research, I am planning to ask for $500,000 seed money, which I will invest in the ten-year period. I have created a portfolio with 35% stocks, 30% bonds, and 35% mutual funds. Jimeet Modi, CEO of SAMCO Securities,  once said “From a ten-year perspective, investing in the consumption theme should pay off handsomely. Be it NBCFs and private banks, consumer durables, or consumer staples, all should perform well, irrespective of the ups and downs in the economy.” I researched some consumption funds and discovered that the best have a return rate of almost 15%. By choosing this type of investment, I can predict at least a 10% return for my portfolio. So after 10 years, my seed money will grow at least to $1,178,973.85.

     You have good reason to invest in me because I am very passionate about science and am very hard-working, and I have a clear vision about the environment. A straw might not seem like much, but keep in mind that 500 million are used every day in the US, and 8.3 billion pollute the oceans. When my dream comes true, we could save the oceans and no turtles will be harmed.