FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Kobe Miles. I was born and raised in Delaware and graduated from St. Georges Technical High School in May 2025, where I studied biotechnology. I have a huge passion for the STEM field, particularly chemical engineering. I’m a very outgoing person who enjoys socializing with friends, eating good food, and competing in track and field events. This fall, I’ll be pursuing a chemical engineering degree at North Carolina A&T University. After completing my degree, I plan to join a chemical production company.
FOSSI: What moment or experience sparked your love for STEM?
My grandmother inspired me to pursue a career in STEM. She would always ask what I wanted to be when I grew up. One day, she suggested I become a scientist. From that point on, I centered my mind around that goal. I fell in love with learning about scientific phenomena, asking questions, researching, and figuring out why things occur the way they do. As I moved through school, my love for STEM deepened and gave me the inspiration to pursue chemical engineering.
FOSSI: What did it feel like when you found out you received the FOSSI scholarship?
I felt incredibly blessed the moment I won the FOSSI scholarship. I had just gotten home from track and field practice, exhausted, when I received the call that I had been awarded the FOSSI scholarship. It made me feel so happy. I started to feel like my work and dedication were finally paying off. Being awarded the scholarship gave me even more motivation to keep putting effort into my academic journey.
FOSSI: Who inspires you, and what have they taught you about what’s possible?
One of my biggest inspirations is my track and field coach, Lansil Gordon. He taught me how to turn nothing into something. At the beginning of my track and field journey, my athletic skills weren’t well developed. Most people would have thought the sport wasn’t for me. But through countless days, endless seasons, and a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I was able to help lead my team to great achievements. Coach Lance showed me that with time, patience, and dedication, it's possible to eventually achieve what may seem impossible today.
FOSSI: What are some surprising or unique facts about you?
I have quite a few unique facts about me. For starters, I’m a triplet—I have a brother and a sister, and the three of us attended the same schools growing up. I’ve also competed at the USATF National Junior Olympics three times throughout my high school career. Freshman year, I ran the 4x100m relay in Greensboro. Junior year, I traveled to Texas A&M to compete in the 400m, 800m, and 4x400m relay. And senior year in New York, I ran the 400m and 4x400m. On top of track, I also competed in HOSA for forensic science.
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Hear more from Kobe about why he is pursuing a STEM degree.