This fall, I will attend Morehouse College to pursue a dual degree in engineering through its partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology. The future of space exploration lies at the intersection of engineering, architecture, and environmental science. The dual-degree program will position me at the crossroads of these disciplines, preparing me to contribute to the next generation of innovations in space technology. I plan to utilize the education and experiences gained in college to assist scientists and engineers in making technological discoveries that advance interplanetary travel and enhance life for humankind. The camera phone and prosthetic limbs are technological innovations born from scientific research on space exploration. I want to make similar discoveries. As children, many of us wonder about space and how things work, but we are rarely taught which fields of study hold the answers or how those disciplines can be applied to improve our lives. I want to help make those connections relatable and accessible, especially for students who may not see themselves represented in STEM. My passion for aerospace engineering began when I was seven, watching Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. I was inspired because I saw myself in Dr. Tyson. Since then, I immersed myself in STEM by attending camps focused on propulsion, gravity, and aerodynamics. I also taught myself how to use a flight simulator, studied architecture for three years in high school, and completed a physics internship. In high school, I joined the Robotics Club, the Astrophysics and Cosmology Club, the Engines and Engineers Club, and most recently, Decatur High School’s NASA TechRise team. My NASA TechRise teammates and I collaborated with mentors, actual NASA aerospace engineers, to design a high-altitude sensor capsule that measures both ground conditions and atmospheric conditions. Our capsule is scheduled to launch into the atmosphere in June. Working with our NASA mentors was a pivotal moment in my life. Watching how they impacted my team and high schoolers from all across the country sparked my desire to be part of something similar. The NASA TechRise program serves students in grades 6 through 12. After our project concluded, we had the opportunity to meet other TechRise Challenge winners from around the country. I was inspired by how all engineers collaborated with students from Puerto Rico to Maine. Our TechRise group was the only one selected from Georgia, and I want to bring more opportunities like this to young scientists like me. After college, I envision participating in a similar program, possibly with NASA as an aerospace engineer, helping make opportunities in the field more accessible to all students. This program significantly increased my desire to pursue a career in aerospace, and I am committed to sharing my love for the discipline with young children from communities like mine. Being a role model for a student who may be interested, or for one who is unaware of the opportunities available in aerospace, is something I aspire to do after college. Due to my aspirations and background, I am confident that I can make a positive impact in my community after college. Community service is important to me because, many times in my life, I have benefited from the service of others. I plan to serve my community wherever I am. Jackie Robinson has a quote about service that resonates deeply with me. He says, “A life is not important except in its impact on other lives." I want to be someone else’s spark, like the engineers at NASA were for me, so that the cycle of positive impact and representation can continue.