College is a difficult adjustment for most freshmen, but for me, it felt like my life was ending. Going to Kent State meant leaving behind the version of myself I had always known. I expected growth to come from independence and excitement; instead, it came through grief, resilience, and learning how to navigate a new environment while carrying a loss I wasn’t prepared for. Kyle wasn’t technically my uncle; he was my dad’s cousin, but calling him anything else never felt right. He taught me how to hunt, tap maple trees, and solve problems with my hands. We shared a deep love for the outdoors, and many of my earliest engineering instincts came from watching him build and repair things on his maple farm. His influence is a major reason I fell in love with engineering and eventually chose aerospace. Kyle had been battling stage‑four renal cancer for two years. Ten days before I left for college, he was hospitalized for two surgeries. I visited him in the ICU between them. He couldn’t speak much, but he smiled, laughed, and whispered that he loved me, urging me to go to school and pursue my dream. The second surgery, the day before move‑in, went horribly wrong and left him on life support. I begged to stay home, afraid I’d lose my chance to say goodbye and feeling guilty about not being there for my family. Still, at everyone’s urging, I packed and left, carrying dread with me. Two nights after arriving at Kent State, we were told Kyle was brain dead. I was surrounded by strangers, processing the worst news of my life in a place that didn’t yet feel like mine. Less than a week later, on his 40th birthday, he passed away. It was only my third day of the semester. Barely functioning but determined not to fall behind, I attended all four classes. Because of the distance, I didn’t return home until the memorial service three weeks later. I grieved alone, struggling to eat and sleep yet still completing my work. Grieving away from home forced me to develop independence in the hardest way. The few friends I made early on had never experienced loss and didn’t know how to support me. We drifted apart, and I had to rebuild my support system from scratch. Who wants to be friends with the girl crying into her pancakes because she can’t look at maple syrup? My advisor and Flashes Forward professor checked in, offered guidance, and showed me that “Flashes take care of Flashes” is more than a slogan. By semester’s end, I had rebuilt friendships, found moments of joy, and earned a 3.7 GPA. Losing Kyle reshaped my goals and the way I see my future. Carrying his encouragement with me has made my dream of becoming an aerospace engineer feel less like an ambition and more like a promise. When classes get difficult, I remind myself that he wanted me to be here, not just surviving college, but thriving in it. Grieving far from home taught me that independence isn’t doing everything alone; it’s knowing when to ask for help, when to rest, and when to keep going. It taught me that resilience isn't loud. Sometimes it looks like attending class while your heart is breaking or choosing to stay committed to your goals even when life feels unrecognizable. It made me more empathetic, more patient, and more aware that everyone carries something unseen. Kyle’s memory continues to guide me, not as a weight, but as a source of strength shaping the person I am becoming.

Ever since I first saw Hidden Figures at the age of nine, I’ve been fascinated by NASA and the world of aerospace. Since then, I have taken every Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course available in both middle and high school, a total of eight. As I gained a deeper understanding of the industry through PLTW, I became more open to other opportunities within aerospace, including working with companies that support the industry. College is a crucial step in my journey toward becoming an aerospace engineer, where I aim to make a significant impact. As I strive to break into this male-dominated field, where only 11% of aerospace engineers are women, I am committed to overcoming gender barriers and inspiring other young women to pursue engineering careers. I am excited to be joining Kent State University’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE) where I will work toward a 4+1 master's degree in aerospace engineering. The fact that the CAE dean and many professors are women reassures me that I will be supported by strong, inspiring leadership. This is important as I prepare to enter an industry where women are still underrepresented. Additionally, the CAE offers active engineering clubs that excel at the national level, and provides program flexibility with various aeronautical majors, allowing me to pivot my focus if necessary. Throughout high school, I have become accustomed to being in the gender minority, as the only girl in AP Chemistry and one of just three girls in my PLTW courses. These experiences have made me resilient and determined to carve out a space in a field where women are underrepresented. I view my career as an opportunity to serve as a role model and encourage others to pursue a career in STEM. I plan to actively participate in organizations and mentorship programs dedicated to supporting women in STEM, creating a network of support that empowers future generations of female engineers. While my parents are doing everything they can to support me financially, they have four children to care for, two of whom are also in college. In addition to their support, I work a part time job and have a goal of earning enough to pay for at least 15% of my expenses over the next five years. I’m conscious of the financial challenges of obtaining an advanced degree and the importance of minimizing my debt. The Honorable Shawn Long Memorial Scholarship would greatly relieve some of the financial stress and allow me to focus more on my education. Pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering will allow me to build on my passion for math and science, while also developing the essential skills necessary for success in the workforce. The academic and hands-on experiences I’ll gain at Kent State will equip me to contribute to the growth of the engineering field, particularly in encouraging more women to enter the profession. A post-secondary education is essential to making my dream of being an aerospace engineer a reality, providing me with the expertise, leadership skills, and confidence to succeed in a field I have loved since I was nine years old.

Life circumstances can change drastically in a very short period of time. When I was confronted with a significant change in my physical abilities, I had two choices: either wallow in what could have been or allow my goals to evolve with the new reality I faced. I made a conscious effort to make my senior year positive and enjoyable, despite my physical limitations. After my freshman cross-country season, I was on track to become a competitive runner, setting new personal records at almost every race and steadily working my way up the team ranks. Unfortunately, injuries and a sudden asthma diagnosis put a halt to the steady progress I had been making. I spent much of my sophomore and junior year frustrated that my body was unable to perform at levels that used to be easy, and no matter how hard I worked, I could not build endurance. Heading into my senior season, I questioned whether continuing cross country would be worth the disappointment I was feeling. Ultimately, my love for my coaches and team overshadowed slower times and respiratory struggles. As captain and the only senior girl, it was my responsibility to set the tone for our team. Rather than focusing on personal records, I found joy in completing a race, getting through a workout, or using my inhaler less frequently. I also made a concerted effort to praise each runner’s victories daily, whether it was a good workout, a positive attitude, a return from injury, or a personal record. Each milestone, regardless of size, was celebrated with equal excitement, making our team stronger, more positive, and successful. A Senior Night tradition for the cross-country team is to leave a will for the underclassmen. I willed each runner an inside joke, bonding memory or words of encouragement. But I feel my true senior legacy is that I passed on my ability to stay positive and have fun, no matter what challenges the sport threw at me. Helping my younger teammates find joy in a sport many find grueling made this the most uplifting season of my four years on the team. As I move forward toward a rather demanding major in aerospace engineering, I hope to carry forward the lessons I learned in cross country: how to pivot, stay positive, and find strength in the face of struggles. These experiences have shaped my approach to challenges, both in academics and in life, and will continue to guide me in years to come.

"Hidden Figures," a popular blockbuster historical drama released in 2016, is about three powerful and incredibly brilliant Black women and their critical contributions to NASA’s early space program. I was nine years old when I first saw Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe portray Katherine Gobles, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson. It was January 21, 2017, the date of the nationwide Women’s Marches and protests. My mother and her two friends wanted to do something with their daughters, but didn’t feel comfortable taking nine- and ten-year-olds to a protest. Their alternative was to take us to a film that depicted women in the past successfully fighting to make space for themselves in a male dominated world. If they could succeed then, we, facing far fewer barriers, could succeed now. No one could have anticipated the impact that day would have on my life. Like all children, people often asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I never stuck with any one answer for long until seeing Hidden Figures. I was going to work for NASA! From that day forward I was obsessed with anything to do with NASA and space. I knew I loved math and was interested in working on rockets, but that was the extent of my NASA career knowledge; until my fifth-grade teacher introduced us to our new special, STEM. I grew to love that classroom, and the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programs that followed in middle and high school. My engineering teacher inspired me to excel in my PLTW engineering courses: Introduction, Principles, Product Design, Aerospace, Civil & Architecture, and Engineering Independent Study, with additional classes in Honors Physics AP Chemistry and AP Calculus. These courses allowed me to explore many different fields of engineering study, and helped me narrow my focus, prepare for college and reach for my dreams. Over eight years, my desire to become an aerospace engineer has never wavered. I am excited by the potential of the Mars Mission and the possibility of humans extending their reach into space. I hope to contribute to these endeavors, working with organizations like NASA, to extend our nation’s legacy of innovation. I hope to work a few years in the industry before returning for a master’s degree to increase my expertise and expand my career opportunities. Who knows, I may even become the first member of my family to earn a doctorate. I have now probably seen "Hidden Figures" more times than I can count, and it remains one of my favorite movies of all time. Hidden Figures showed me a way to apply my love for math and science, introduced me to the concept of engineering, the importance of standing up for myself, and what it means to be the first. Those women were the trailblazers for all young girls, and inspired me, at nine, to become an aerospace engineer. They taught me that if I work hard enough, I can be successful, despite any physical or metaphorical barriers in the way. I will forever be grateful for the adaptation of Kathryn, Dorothy, and Mary’s lives in "Hidden Figures." Unfortunately, while they broke the glass ceiling for women in the STEM industry, there is still a lot of progress to be made. Only 16% of mechanical engineers are women, even fewer, 11% are aerospace engineers. I want to contribute to breaking down the traditional gender barriers associated with engineering. Sadly, I am accustomed to being in the gender minority. I was the only girl in both my AP Chemistry and Athletic Conditioning classes. I am also one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way courses. These experiences have made me resilient and determined to carve out space for myself in a field where women are underrepresented. I view my future career as an opportunity to serve as a role model and encourage others to follow a similar path. I plan to actively participate in organizations and mentorship programs, such as Girls Exploring Tomorrow's Technology (GETT), dedicated to supporting women in STEM; creating a network of support that empowers a wave of future female engineers. And it all started on a rainy Saturday afternoon with my mom, sister, and their friends.

"Hidden Figures," a popular blockbuster historical drama released in 2016, is about three powerful and incredibly brilliant black women and their critical contributions to NASA’s early space program. I was nine years old when I first saw Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe portray Katherine Gobles, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson. It was January 21, 2017, the date of the nationwide Women’s March and protests. My mother and her two friends wanted to do something with their daughters, but didn’t feel comfortable taking nine- and ten-year-olds to a protest. Their alternative was to take us to a film that depicted women in the past fighting to make space for themselves in a male dominated world and succeeding. If they could do it, then we could do it now. No one could have anticipated the impact that day would have on my life. Like all children, people often asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I never stuck with any one answer for long until seeing "Hidden Figures." I was going to work for NASA! From that day forward I was obsessed with anything to do with NASA and space. I knew I loved math and was interested in working on rockets, but that was the extent of my NASA career knowledge. Then my fifth-grade teacher introduced us to our new special, STEM. I grew to love that classroom, and the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programs that followed in middle and high school. My engineering teacher inspired me to excel in my PLTW courses: Principles, Product Design, Aerospace, Civil, and Engineering Independent Study, with additional classes in Honors Physics and AP Calculus. These courses helped me narrow my focus, prepare for college and reach for my dreams. Over eight years, my interest in engineering never wavered, nor my desire to become an aerospace engineer. I would like to earn my bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. I hope to work a few years in the industry before returning for a master’s degree. Now that I have a better understanding of the industry, I have broadened my childhood dream of working for NASA to companies that support the aerospace industry. I have now probably seen "Hidden Figures" more times than I can count, and it remains one of my favorite movies of all time. "Hidden Figures" taught me how I could apply my love for math and science, introduced me to the concept of engineering, the importance of standing up for myself, and what it means to be the first. Those women were the trailblazers for all young girls, and inspired me, at nine, to become an aerospace engineer. They taught me that if I work hard enough, I can do it, despite any physical or metaphorical barriers I encounter. I will forever be grateful for the adaptation of Kathryn, Dorothy, and Mary’s lives in Hidden Figures. Unfortunately, while they broke the glass ceiling for women in the STEM industry, there is still a lot of progress to be made. Only 16% of mechanical engineers are women, even fewer, 11% are aerospace engineers. I want to contribute to breaking down the traditional gender barriers associated with engineering. Sadly, I am accustomed to being in the gender minority. I was the only girl in both my AP Chemistry class and Athletic Conditioning class. I am also one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way courses. I hope my career encourages a wave of new female engineers in the future. And it all started on a rainy Saturday afternoon with my mom, sister, and their friends.