My career goal is to work as an aerospace engineer at NASA, where I intend to design energy efficient spacecraft that produce little to no pollution. I believe the future of space exploration depends not only on how far we can travel, but on how responsibly we get there. As a mechanical engineering major at Tuskegee University, I am building the technical foundation needed to one day contribute to that mission. But before I can explain where I am going, it is important to understand where I come from. College is not a given in my family. It is a rare achievement. Out of all of my great grandmother's lineage, I am only the third person to pursue a college education. Of her seven children, only my great aunt earned a high school diploma. Of my grandmother's eight children, only my mother and my aunt went on to earn college degrees. I carry that history with me every single day. Going to college means breaking a cycle of generational poverty that has shaped my family for generations. It means that the sacrifices made by people who never had the opportunities I have will not go to waste. Every exam I pass and every semester I complete is a step toward a future my family has long been reaching for but could never quite grasp. The path to this dream has not been easy, and that is precisely why I am more committed to it than ever. During my first semester at Tuskegee, I survived a mass shooting following homecoming. The trauma of that night was immense, and in its aftermath, returning home would have been the simplest and most understandable choice. Eleven months later, I survived a trampling accident. Twice, circumstances beyond my control could have ended my journey before it truly began. Yet I remain at Tuskegee because I refuse to let fear determine my future. Adversity has not weakened my resolve. It has sharpened it. I now understand in a deeply personal way that purpose is not something handed to you. It is something you fight to protect. My purpose is engineering, and specifically, using it to solve problems that matter on a global and even universal scale. Clean propulsion technology is one of the most pressing challenges in aerospace today, and I want to be among the engineers who solve it. I have taken concrete steps toward that goal beyond surviving. I currently serve as a summer bridge counselor for the Fastrec engineering program, where I help incoming freshmen transition into the rigors of college level engineering. I also volunteer with local school STEAM programs, bringing hands on science and engineering activities to young students who may not yet see themselves as future engineers. Representation matters, and I want every child I work with to believe that a career in science and technology is within their reach. Tuskegee University has a historic legacy of producing engineers who change the world, and I intend to honor that legacy. My goal is not simply to earn a degree. It is to prove that where you start does not have to define where you finish, and to use every skill I build along the way to push the boundaries of what aerospace engineering can achieve for both humanity and our planet.

My career goal is to work as an aerospace engineer at NASA, where I intend to design energy efficient spacecraft that produce little to no pollution. I believe the future of space exploration depends not only on how far we can travel, but on how responsibly we get there. As a mechanical engineering major at Tuskegee University, I am building the technical foundation needed to one day contribute to that mission. The path to this dream has not been easy, and that is precisely why I am more committed to it than ever. During my first semester at Tuskegee, I survived a mass shooting following homecoming. The trauma of that night was immense, and in its aftermath, returning home would have been the simplest and most understandable choice. Eleven months later, I survived a trampling accident. Twice, circumstances beyond my control could have ended my journey before it truly began. Yet I remain at Tuskegee, in my classes, in my labs, and in my community, because I refuse to let fear determine my future. Adversity has not weakened my resolve. It has sharpened it. I now understand in a deeply personal way that purpose is not something handed to you. It is something you fight to protect. My purpose is engineering, and specifically, using it to solve problems that matter on a global and even universal scale. Clean propulsion technology is one of the most pressing challenges in aerospace today, and I want to be among the engineers who solve it. I have taken concrete steps toward that goal beyond surviving. I currently serve as a summer bridge counselor for the Fastrec engineering program, where I help incoming freshmen transition into the rigors of college level engineering. I know firsthand how overwhelming that first year can be, and I am committed to ensuring other students feel supported and seen in ways that keep them on track. I also volunteer with local school STEAM programs, bringing hands on science and engineering activities to young students who may not yet see themselves as future engineers. Representation matters, and I want every child I work with to believe that a career in science and technology is within their reach. These experiences have also made me a better engineer in training. Working with students at every level has reinforced my communication skills, deepened my understanding of foundational concepts, and reminded me why the work matters beyond the classroom. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial support. It would mean that my family can breathe a little easier. My parents have sacrificed greatly to help me pursue this degree, and in an economy that grows more uncertain by the day, that sacrifice weighs on all of us. Easing that financial burden allows me to stay focused on my studies and my goals rather than the weight of what this education costs our household. It is an investment not just in me, but in everything my family has given to get me here. Tuskegee University has a historic legacy of producing engineers who change the world, and I intend to honor that legacy. My goal is not simply to earn a degree. It is to earn a seat at the table where the next generation of sustainable spacecraft is being designed, and to use that seat to push the boundaries of what aerospace engineering can achieve for both humanity and our planet.

My career goal is to work as an engineer at NASA, where I intend to design energy efficient spacecraft that produce little to no pollution. I believe the future of space exploration depends not only on how far we can travel, but on how responsibly we get there. As a mechanical engineering major at Tuskegee University, I am building the technical foundation needed to one day contribute to that mission. The path to this dream has not been easy, and that is precisely why I am more committed to it than ever. During my first semester at Tuskegee, I survived a mass shooting following the homecoming game. The trauma of that night was immense, and in its aftermath, returning home would have been the simplest and most understandable choice. Eleven months later, I survived a trampling accident. Twice, circumstances beyond my control could have ended my journey before it truly began. Yet I remain at Tuskegee, in my classes, in my labs, and in my community, because I refuse to let fear determine my future. Adversity has not weakened my resolve. It has sharpened it. I now understand in a deeply personal way that purpose is not something handed to you. It is something you fight to protect. My purpose is engineering, and specifically, using it to solve problems that matter on a global and even universal scale. Clean propulsion technology is one of the most pressing challenges in aerospace today, and I want to be among the engineers who solve it. I have taken concrete steps toward that goal beyond surviving. I currently serve as a summer bridge counselor for the Fastrec engineering program, where I help incoming freshmen transition into the rigors of college level engineering. I know firsthand how overwhelming that first year can be, and I am committed to ensuring other students feel supported and seen in ways that keep them on track. I also volunteer with local school STEAM programs, bringing hands on science and engineering activities to young students who may not yet see themselves as future engineers. Representation matters, and I want every child I work with to believe that a career in science and technology is within their reach. These experiences have also made me a better engineer in training. Working with students at every level has reinforced my communication skills, deepened my understanding of foundational concepts, and reminded me why the work matters beyond the classroom. Tuskegee University has a historic legacy of producing engineers who change the world, and I intend to honor that legacy. My goal is not simply to earn a degree. It is to earn a seat at the table where the next generation of sustainable spacecraft is being designed, and to use that seat to push the boundaries of what aerospace engineering can achieve for both humanity and our planet.

My desire to pursue a career in STEM was not born in a classroom. It was shaped by lived experience, a deep love for my community, and a belief that engineering is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change. From organizing sock drives in sixth grade to surviving a life-threatening accident in October 2025, every chapter of my life has pointed me toward a future where I use science and innovation to serve others. Even after the accident, I refused to let my recovery become a reason to withdraw from my community. As soon as I was physically able, I found ways to continue giving back within my school because service is not something I do when it is convenient; it is who I am. That same sense of purpose extends into my professional aspirations As a mechanical engineering student, I am driven by an urgent question: how do we build a sustainable future, both on this planet and beyond it? Rising greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and others, are warming Earth's atmosphere and threatening ecosystems worldwide. I want to be part of the generation that engineers our way out of this crisis. My goal is to design aircraft and renewable energy systems that minimize environmental harm without sacrificing performance, drawing inspiration from nature and complex systems to improve airflow, fuel efficiency, and power usage in aerospace design. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to push the boundaries of what sustainable spacecraft can look like, from more efficient commercial aviation to the foundations of civilian space travel and, ultimately, human life on Mars. But my vision for STEM extends well beyond the laboratory. I plan to be more to my community by remaining deeply rooted in community service throughout my career. My commitment to giving back started early, through peer tutoring, food pantry distributions, city-wide clean-ups, and community drives. That spirit does not stop at the laboratory door. I will continue to mentor young students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, who may not yet see themselves as future engineers. Representation matters. When a student who looks like me sees that aerospace engineering is an achievable path, it expands what they believe is possible for their own life. I also want to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility. Too often, the most advanced technologies remain out of reach for the communities that need them most. As I grow in my field, I want to advocate for engineering solutions that are not only cutting edge but also equitable and cost effective. Whether that means contributing to open-source research, partnering with nonprofits, or designing systems that serve under-resourced communities, my goal is to ensure that progress is shared widely. To pursue a career in STEM is to accept a responsibility that goes far beyond solving equations. It means asking who benefits from the solutions we create and making sure the answer is everyone. My education will give me the technical tools; my values will give me the direction. I plan to use both to uplift the people around me and protect the world we all share. I am a survivor, a servant, and an engineer in the making. I am ready.

"Quitting would have been easy. Quitting would have made sense. But easy has never been my story." Growing up in a quiet Dallas suburb, I heard those words my entire life but I never understood their true weight until life forced me to. In early October 2025, what began as a joyful celebration at the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic turned into a moment that would redefine everything I understood about strength. Caught in a crowd surge, I was thrown into a glass cabinet. The injuries were life-threatening. I underwent emergency surgery to remove embedded glass shards, repair my inferior vena cava, treat a damaged lung, and have my gallbladder removed due to surgical complications. In an instant, I went from celebrating in the stands to fighting for my life. About 4 weeks later, I returned to school carrying the weight of that experience. I had missed nearly a month of class. My body was still healing. My mental health was shaken. My grades had taken a hit. Every reason to walk away was sitting right in front of me, and I chose to stay anyway. That is not just resilience. That is courage. The kind of courage that does not make headlines, but quietly rebuilds itself day after day, assignment after assignment, until the impossible becomes achievable. I refused to let one of the darkest seasons of my life define my destiny. Instead, I let it fuel it. This semester, I am proud to carry a 4.0 GPA, earned on the other side of the hardest chapter of my life. The person who helped me find that strength was my mother. She was built on the belief that barriers are not the end of the story. They are the beginning of one worth telling. She did not raise me to quit when the odds were stacked against me. She bet on me when it would have been easier not to, and her example taught me to bet on myself. My life was spared on my mother's birthday. Now, each year on that day, we celebrate something far greater than survival. We celebrate purpose. I do not carry that lightly. Every goal I set, every obstacle I push through, and every standard I refuse to lower is my way of honoring the second chance I was given. Education has been the compass that gave my purpose a direction. Long before my life was turned upside down, the classroom was the place where I first discovered what I was capable of. It was in my physics and math courses that I began to see the world differently, not as a set of fixed limitations, but as a series of problems waiting to be solved. Education taught me how to think critically, how to persist through difficulty, and how to turn curiosity into ambition. When I was recovering in that hospital bed, it was the vision of my future education that kept me anchored. I knew that every lesson I had learned, every concept I had mastered, and every standard I had pushed myself to meet was preparing me for something greater. School did not just teach me subjects. It taught me who I was and who I was determined to become. That purpose has a direction. My goal is to become a mechanical engineer at NASA. I want to be in the rooms where the impossible is engineered into reality, designing systems, solving problems that have never been solved before, and pushing the boundaries of what humanity can achieve beyond this earth. I did not arrive at that dream by accident. Lying in a hospital bed, I had time to think about what my life was for. The answer was clear. I was meant to build things. I was meant to reach higher. Space does not scare me. Neither does hard work. I have already survived both. But my ambition does not stop at my own career. I want to use my education to open doors for others who look like me, young people from quiet suburbs and loud circumstances who have been told, in a hundred different ways, that spaces like NASA were not built for them. I intend to prove otherwise. Every breakthrough I contribute to, every young engineer I mentor, and every barrier I dismantle will be a testament to what is possible when you refuse to let your worst moment become your final chapter. Select me not because my story is painful, but because of what I chose to do with that pain. I chose to rise. I chose to fight. I chose to prove that when quitting seems like the only logical answer, strength finds another way. That is who I am. And I am just getting started.

To "Be More" in engineering means refusing to see my degree as simply a personal achievement. It means using every skill, every breakthrough, and every platform my education gives me to lift others and protect the world we share. For me, engineering is not just a career; it is a calling rooted in service. My plan begins with purpose-driven design. As a mechanical engineering student, I intend to focus my research and career on developing sustainable aircraft and renewable energy systems that address the growing threat of greenhouse gas emissions. The decisions engineers make in the design room have consequences that reach millions of people, from the communities living near polluted air corridors to future generations inheriting a warming planet. I take that responsibility seriously. By designing cleaner propulsion systems, improving fuel efficiency, and exploring the use of materials sourced from asteroids and other planets, I hope to help make aerospace one of the most environmentally responsible industries in the world rather than one of its largest polluters. Beyond the technical work, I plan to "Be More" by being present in my community. My commitment to service started long before college, from organizing sock drives in middle school to volunteering at food pantries and city clean-ups. That spirit does not stop at the laboratory door. I intend to mentor young students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, who may not yet see themselves as future engineers. Representation matters. When a student who looks like me sees that aerospace engineering is an achievable path, it expands what they believe is possible for their own life. I also plan to use my education to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility. Too often, the most advanced technologies remain out of reach for the communities that need them most. As I grow in my field, I want to advocate for engineering solutions that are not only cutting edge but also equitable and cost-effective. Whether that means contributing to open-source research, partnering with nonprofits, or designing systems that serve under-resourced communities, my goal is to ensure that progress is shared widely. Ultimately, to "Be More" is to understand that the measure of an engineer is not only what they build, but who benefits from what they build. My education will give me the tools; my values will give me the direction. I plan to use both, every single day, to create a lasting and positive impact on the people around me and the world we all depend on.

Quitting would have been easy. Quitting would have made sense. But easy has never been my story. Growing up in a quiet Dallas suburb, I heard those words my entire life, but I never understood their true weight until life forced me to. In early October 2025, what began as a joyful celebration at the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic turned into a moment that would redefine everything I understood about strength. Caught in a crowd surge, I was thrown into a glass cabinet. The injuries were life-threatening. I underwent emergency surgery to remove embedded glass shards, repair my inferior vena cava, treat a damaged lung, and have my gallbladder removed due to surgical complications. In an instant, I went from celebrating in the stands to fighting for my life. In the fall of 2026, I returned to school carrying the weight of that experience. I had missed nearly a month of class. My body was still healing. My mental health was shaken. My grades had taken a hit. Every reason to walk away was sitting right in front of me and I chose to stay anyway. That is not just resilience. That is courage. The kind of courage that does not make headlines, but quietly rebuilds itself day after day, assignment after assignment, until the impossible becomes achievable. I refused to let one of the darkest seasons of my life define my destiny. Instead, I let it fuel it. This semester, I am proud to carry a 4.0 GPA earned on the other side of the hardest chapter of my life. The person who helped me find that strength was my mother. She was built on the belief that barriers are not the end of the story. they are the beginning of one worth telling. She did not raise me to quit when the odds were stacked against me. She bet on me when it would have been easier not to, and her example taught me to bet on myself. My life was spared on my mother's birthday. Now, each year on that day, we will celebrate something far greater than survival. We celebrate purpose. I do not carry that lightly. Every goal I set, every obstacle I push through, and every standard I refuse to lower is my way of honoring the second chance I was given. Select me not because my story is painful, but because of what I chose to do with that pain. I chose to rise. I chose to fight. I chose to prove that when quitting seems like the only logical answer, strength finds another way. That is who I am. And I am just getting started.

In early October 2025, what began as a joyful celebration at the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic turned into a moment that would redefine everything I understood about strength. Caught in a crowd surge, I was trampled and thrown into a glass cabinet. The injuries were life-threatening. I underwent emergency surgery to remove embedded glass shards, repair my inferior vena cava, treat a damaged lung, and remove my gallbladder due to surgical complications. In an instant, I went from celebrating to fighting for my life. Yet even in recovery, my purpose never wavered. If anything, it sharpened. The moment I was stable enough to think clearly, I set a goal: I would not allow this accident to define my trajectory. My GPA had dropped during recovery an expected consequence of fighting for my life, but I refused to accept that as my story's ending. Rebuilding my academic standing became one of my first missions post-recovery, a quiet, determined act of reclaiming what the accident had temporarily taken. Even after the accident, I refused to let my recovery become a reason to withdraw from my community. As soon as I was physically able, I found ways to continue giving back within my school because service is not something I do when it is convenient; it is who I am. That same sense of purpose extends into my professional aspirations. As a mechanical engineering student, I am driven by an urgent question: how do we build a sustainable future, both on this planet and beyond it? Rising greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and others, are warming Earth's atmosphere and threatening ecosystems worldwide. I want to be part of the generation that engineers our way out of this crisis. My goal is to design aircrafts with NASA and renewable energy systems that minimize environmental harm without sacrificing performance, drawing inspiration from nature and complex systems to improve airflow, fuel efficiency, and power usage in aerospace design. Looking further ahead, I envision using resources found in space, such as minerals from asteroids and materials from other planets, to reduce reliance on Earth's finite supply chain. I want to explore whether greenhouse gases could be safely removed from our atmosphere or even repurposed off-planet. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to push the boundaries of what sustainable spacecraft can look like, from more efficient commercial aviation to the foundations of civilian space travel and, ultimately, human life on Mars. My engineering degree will give me the technical tools to make these ideas a reality through rigorous research, innovation, and collaboration with others who share this vision. None of this will come without challenge. But my perspective on struggle has been fundamentally transformed, especially after surviving what I did in October 2025. I no longer see obstacles as reasons to stop. I see them as evidence that I am growing. Choosing to rebuild my GPA after the accident, choosing to show up for my community while still healing, those were not small decisions. They were declarations that no circumstance, however devastating, would redirect my purpose. Instead of telling myself "I'm not good enough," I choose to say, "I will learn how to master this in time." Failure is not a destination; it is redirection. I am a survivor, a servant, and an engineer in the making. I am ready.

In early October 2025, what began as a joyful celebration at the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic turned into a moment that would redefine everything I understood about strength. Caught in a crowd surge, I was trampled and thrown into a glass cabinet. The injuries were life-threatening. I underwent emergency surgery to remove embedded glass shards, repair my inferior vena cava, treat a damaged lung, and remove my gallbladder due to surgical complications. In an instant, I went from celebrating to fighting for my life. Yet even in recovery, my purpose never wavered. If anything, it sharpened. The moment I was stable enough to think clearly, I set a goal: I would not allow this accident to define my trajectory. My GPA had dropped during recovery an expected consequence of fighting for my life, but I refused to accept that as my story's ending. Rebuilding my academic standing became one of my first missions post-recovery, a quiet, determined act of reclaiming what the accident had temporarily taken. Even after the accident, I refused to let my recovery become a reason to withdraw from my community. As soon as I was physically able, I found ways to continue giving back within my school because service is not something I do when it is convenient; it is who I am. That same sense of purpose extends into my professional aspirations. As a mechanical engineering student, I am driven by an urgent question: how do we build a sustainable future, both on this planet and beyond it? Rising greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and others, are warming Earth's atmosphere and threatening ecosystems worldwide. I want to be part of the generation that engineers our way out of this crisis. My goal is to design aircrafts with NASA and renewable energy systems that minimize environmental harm without sacrificing performance, drawing inspiration from nature and complex systems to improve airflow, fuel efficiency, and power usage in aerospace design. Looking further ahead, I envision using resources found in space, such as minerals from asteroids and materials from other planets, to reduce reliance on Earth's finite supply chain. I want to explore whether greenhouse gases could be safely removed from our atmosphere or even repurposed off-planet. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to push the boundaries of what sustainable spacecraft can look like, from more efficient commercial aviation to the foundations of civilian space travel and, ultimately, human life on Mars. My engineering degree will give me the technical tools to make these ideas a reality through rigorous research, innovation, and collaboration with others who share this vision. None of this will come without challenge. But my perspective on struggle has been fundamentally transformed, especially after surviving what I did in October 2025. I no longer see obstacles as reasons to stop. I see them as evidence that I am growing. Choosing to rebuild my GPA after the accident, choosing to show up for my community while still healing, those were not small decisions. They were declarations that no circumstance, however devastating, would redirect my purpose. Instead of telling myself "I'm not good enough," I choose to say, "I will learn how to master this in time." Failure is not a destination; it is redirection. I am a survivor, a servant, and an engineer in the making. I am ready.

Diversity in STEM is not simply a matter of fairness, though it is certainly that. It is a matter of survival, innovation, and the kind of progress that actually serves everyone. When the people designing our future do not reflect the full range of human experience, the solutions they create will inevitably leave someone behind. That is not a risk the world can afford, especially not now. As a mechanical engineering student, I have already felt the weight of walking into spaces where people who look like me are rare. There is a particular kind of pressure that comes with being one of few, the unspoken sense that you are not just representing yourself but carrying the hopes of everyone who looks like you and was told this path was not meant for them. That pressure can be isolating. It can be discouraging. And it is completely unnecessary, because the only thing keeping more people like me out of these fields is a lack of access, representation, and belief. Representation matters because it reshapes what people believe is possible. When a young girl from a single parent household in Texas sees a Black woman engineer contributing to sustainable space travel, something shifts in her. The ceiling she had quietly accepted begins to crack. That moment of recognition, seeing yourself reflected in someone who has achieved what you dream of, is one of the most powerful forces in human motivation. I want to be that reflection for someone else, just as others have been that reflection for me. Beyond inspiration, diversity in STEM produces measurably better outcomes. Research consistently shows that diverse teams solve problems more creatively and effectively than homogeneous ones. When engineers, scientists, and researchers bring different cultural contexts, lived experiences, and ways of thinking to a problem, they ask questions that others would never think to ask. They catch blind spots. They design with a wider range of users in mind. A medical device designed without diverse input may fail to work correctly on certain skin tones. An algorithm trained without diverse data may perpetuate bias at scale. These are not hypothetical concerns. They are documented failures with real human consequences, and they happen when the people building our world do not reflect the full breadth of it. In aerospace, the stakes are just as high. As I work toward a career designing sustainable aircraft and renewable energy systems, I want to bring not only technical skill but also the perspective of someone who grew up understanding what it means when environmental burdens fall unevenly on low income and minority communities. Pollution does not affect everyone equally. The communities living closest to airports, manufacturing plants, and high traffic corridors are disproportionately communities of color. An engineer who understands that reality from the inside is more likely to design with those communities in mind, not as an afterthought but as a priority. Diverse representation in STEM also creates a pipeline of mentorship and possibility that compounds over time. Every student I mentor, every door I hold open, every young engineer I encourage adds another voice to a field that desperately needs more of them. Diversifying STEM is exactly that, a daily act of uplifting human dignity by ensuring that the next generation of problem solvers looks like the world they are trying to fix. The challenges facing our planet are too vast and too urgent to be solved by any one kind of mind. We need everyone. We need every perspective, every background, and every story. That is not idealism. That is simply good engineering.

Growing up, I had a front-row seat to one of life's most important lessons: family is not defined by biology, but by presence. My biological father was there in the beginning for the photo opportunities, the award ceremonies, and the moments worth posting on social media until he stopped coming around. But the man who truly raised me, the man I call Poppy, was there for everything else. Every scraped knee, every awards show, every college tour, he showed up. When he married my mother, he brought me before the altar and vowed to be the best father figure he could be, and he has never broken that promise. It was Poppy who helped me overcome my fear of people in masks and costumes, something that kept me from pictures with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and even Chuck E. Cheese as a child. He encouraged me to look past the costume and remember that underneath was simply a person, just like me. I did not fully understand the depth of that lesson until I was older. Costumes are projections of who we want people to believe we are. He taught me to be resilient in my own skin, to look beyond surfaces, and to lead with empathy. That single lesson has shaped the woman I am becoming more than I can fully express. His influence is the reason giving back has always felt less like a choice and more like a responsibility. In sixth grade, I organized a sock drive for the homeless community through my school and collected over 1,000 pairs of socks donated to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, Texas. Since then, I have volunteered through peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, and community drives. My poppy taught me that goodness is not about waiting for ideal circumstances. It is about uplifting human dignity through daily action, and I carry that belief with me everywhere I go. That same conviction drives my pursuit of a career in mechanical engineering. Beyond the technical work, I want to use my platform to remove barriers for others. Too often, the most advanced opportunities remain out of reach for people facing economic hardship or systemic injustice. Wherever my education takes me, I want to mentor young students from underrepresented backgrounds, advocate for equitable access to STEM, and ensure that the progress we make as engineers is shared widely. When a student who looks like me sees that engineering is an achievable path, it expands what they believe is possible for their own life. When college feels daunting, but I return to my Poppy's example whenever doubt creeps in. He did not wait for perfect conditions to show up for me, and I will not wait for perfect conditions to show up for others. This scholarship would lighten the financial burden as I work toward a career eliminating emissions and other pollutants in space travel, and it would allow me to continue paying forward the generosity that has been poured into my life. The world can feel cold and disheartening, but I want others to see that it still holds enough warmth to sustain hope. My stepfather's lessons wake me each morning asking who I can uplift. I am a survivor, a servant, and an engineer in the making. And if I am ever fortunate enough to be honored for the work I plan to do with NASA, my poppy will be beaming with pride, because he always knew I would do it.

My desire to pursue a career in STEM was not born in a classroom. It was shaped by lived experience, a deep love for my community, and a belief that engineering is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change. From organizing sock drives in sixth grade to surviving a life-threatening accident in October 2025, every chapter of my life has pointed me toward a future where I use science and innovation to serve others. As a mechanical engineering student, I am driven by an urgent question: how do we build a sustainable future, both on this planet and beyond it? Rising greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and others, are warming Earth's atmosphere and threatening ecosystems worldwide. I want to be part of the generation that engineers our way out of this crisis. My goal is to design aircraft and renewable energy systems that minimize environmental harm without sacrificing performance, drawing inspiration from nature and complex systems to improve airflow, fuel efficiency, and power usage in aerospace design. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to push the boundaries of what sustainable spacecraft can look like, from more efficient commercial aviation to the foundations of civilian space travel and, ultimately, human life on Mars. But my vision for STEM extends well beyond the laboratory. I plan to be More by remaining deeply rooted in community service throughout my career. My commitment to giving back started early, through peer tutoring, food pantry distributions, city-wide clean-ups, and community drives. That spirit does not stop at the laboratory door. I intend to mentor young students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, who may not yet see themselves as future engineers. Representation matters. When a student who looks like me sees that aerospace engineering is an achievable path, it expands what they believe is possible for their own life. I also want to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility. Too often, the most advanced technologies remain out of reach for the communities that need them most. As I grow in my field, I want to advocate for engineering solutions that are not only cutting edge but also equitable and cost effective. Whether that means contributing to open-source research, partnering with nonprofits, or designing systems that serve under-resourced communities, my goal is to ensure that progress is shared widely. To pursue a career in STEM is to accept a responsibility that goes far beyond solving equations. It means asking who benefits from the solutions we create and making sure the answer is everyone. My education will give me the technical tools; my values will give me the direction. I plan to use both to uplift the people around me and protect the world we all share. I am a survivor, a servant, and an engineer in the making. I am ready.

In early October 2025, what began as a joyful celebration at the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic turned into a moment that would redefine everything I understood about strength. Caught in a crowd surge, I was thrown into a glass cabinet. The injuries were life-threatening. I underwent emergency surgery to remove embedded glass shards, repair my inferior vena cava, treat a damaged lung, and remove my gallbladder due to surgical complications. In an instant, I went from celebrating in the stands to fighting for my life. Yet even in recovery, my purpose never wavered. If anything, it sharpened. My drive to serve others did not begin in a hospital room. It began in sixth grade, when my mother encouraged me to organize a sock drive for the homeless community through my school. That small idea grew into something powerful: over 1,000 pairs of socks donated to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, Texas. It was my first lesson that ordinary people can create extraordinary impact. My mother did not just teach me empathy; she showed me how to live it. Since then, I have volunteered through peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, and community drives. Each experience reinforced what I believe: that giving back is not a seasonal act, but a way of life. I am continuing that commitment at Tuskegee University and well beyond, finding ways to serve even within the demands of a rigorous course load. That same sense of purpose extends into my professional aspirations. As a mechanical engineering student, I am driven by an urgent question: how do we build a sustainable future, both on this planet and beyond it? Rising greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and others, are warming Earth's atmosphere and threatening ecosystems worldwide. I want to be part of the generation that engineers our way out of this crisis. My goal is to design aircrafts with NASA and renewable energy systems that minimize environmental harm without sacrificing performance, drawing inspiration from nature and complex systems to improve airflow, fuel efficiency, and power usage in aerospace design. Looking further ahead, I envision using resources found in space, such as minerals from asteroids and materials from other planets, to reduce reliance on Earth's finite supply chain. I want to explore whether greenhouse gases could be safely removed from our atmosphere or even repurposed off-planet. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to push the boundaries of what sustainable spacecraft can look like, from more efficient commercial aviation to the foundations of civilian space travel and, ultimately, human life on Mars. My engineering degree will give me the technical tools to make these ideas a reality through rigorous research, innovation, and collaboration with others who share this vision. None of this will come without challenge. College brings heavy workloads, difficult exams, and moments of doubt. But my perspective on struggle has been fundamentally transformed, especially after surviving what I did in October 2025. I no longer see obstacles as reasons to stop. I see them as evidence that I am growing. Instead of telling myself "I'm not good enough," I choose to say, "I will learn how to master this in time." Failure is not a destination; it is redirection. Community matters in this journey, too. Study groups, writing centers, and mentorship programs are not just resources. They are reminders that no one succeeds alone. My family, my friends, and the countless people I have had the privilege of serving have all shaped who I am. I am a survivor, a servant, and an engineer in the making. I am ready.

The moment I watched Hidden Figures and read about Mae Jemison's journey to space, I felt a pride I had never experienced before. I saw myself in their stories, in these brilliant Black women who had shattered every barrier in their path to reach the stars, and I knew I had a fierce determination within me to become the next generation of Black women making history at NASA. Yet I've discovered that with every dream comes a reality, one filled with obstacles that test whether your aspirations are simply wishes or unshakeable convictions. My journey has proven that the path to greatness is paved not with ease, but with trials that demand every ounce of strength and resilience you possess. Transitioning from the quiet suburban life I knew in Texas to Tuskegee was challenging enough. Leaving behind the familiar comfort of home, adjusting to a new environment, and navigating the rigorous demands of a mechanical engineering program already pushed me outside my comfort zone. But during my first semester, I experienced something that changed me forever, something that no amount of academic preparation could have readied me for. I was present during the 2024 homecoming mass shooting that tragically claimed a life and left countless others wounded, both physically and mentally. The sound of gunfire, the screaming, the panic remain vivid and haunting. Many students left Tuskegee after that tragedy, and no one would have blamed them for seeking safety and peace elsewhere. But despite the trauma, despite the nightmares and the fear that gripped me every time I walked across campus, I stayed. TU had become my home away from home, a place where I found community, purpose, and belonging. I refused to let violence steal my future or destroy the community I was building with my fellow students, professors, and mentors. Just as I began healing from that experience, processing the trauma with the help of therapy and the support of my Tuskegee family, I faced an even more devastating challenge one year later. Following a football game in Montgomery, Alabama, I was caught in a crowd surge and trampled, then violently thrown into a glass cabinet. The impact shattered the glass, and 3 inch shard pierced deep into my back, causing internal injuries that would change my life forever. The damage was catastrophic. My inferior vena cava was damaged and I lost my gallbladder entirely. Everyone urged me to withdraw from school and focus solely on recovery. Lying in the ICU on my mother's birthday, watching her worry and cry over me when she should have been celebrating, I repeatedly told myself that quitting has never been in my nature. My mother raised me to be strong, to persevere, to never give up on my dreams no matter how difficult the road became. Every day required willpower I didn't know I had. Simply getting out of bed was a triumph. Walking to class felt like climbing a mountain. My grades dropped as I balanced physical recovery with coursework. Yet I fought through and completed the semester because I knew that giving up on my education meant giving up on myself and my dreams. However, throughout this ordeal, Tuskegee University stood by me with unwavering support—from professors who worked with me on missed assignments to administrators who ensured I had the resources I needed to continue. Their support reinforced why I chose to stay and why I continue to fight for my place here. These challenges have profoundly influenced my goals in ways I could never have anticipated. My dream of working for NASA is no longer just about personal achievement or fulfilling a childhood aspiration—it's about honoring everyone who supported me through my darkest moments and proving that a young Black woman from Rowlett, Texas, who survived unimaginable trauma, deserves a seat at the table where humanity's greatest achievements are designed. I want to become the Mae Jemison or Katherine Johnson for the next generation, showing them that no obstacle is too great when you refuse to surrender, and that setbacks can become stepping stones to greatness. I am a walking testimony to the power of perseverance. Every day I attend my engineering classes and work toward my NASA dreams is a victory over circumstances that could have ended everything. My story will one day encourage others to push forward when life is unkind, proving that resilience and determination can triumph over even the most devastating challenges. These experiences have taught me that setbacks are not endpoints. They are opportunities to build resilience that can be shared with others. These setbacks tested me in ways that went far beyond physical pain. They shook my mental and emotional foundation to its core. After the shooting, I sought therapy to process the trauma and fear that haunted me, learning to manage anxiety and rebuild my sense of safety in the world. When I was trampled and nearly lost my life, I returned to therapy once again, recognizing that healing my body wasn't enough; I needed to heal my mind and spirit too. These experiences have shown me that seeking help is not weakness—it's strength. It takes courage to admit you're struggling, to ask for support, and to do the hard work of healing emotionally and mentally. Now, as I pursue my NASA dreams, I am committed to advocating for mental health awareness in STEM fields, where the pressure to excel often silences those who are suffering. I want to use my story to encourage others, especially young Black women, to prioritize their mental wellbeing while chasing their goals. If my journey can help even one person understand that it's okay to struggle, to seek therapy, and to keep moving forward despite setbacks, then every painful moment will have served a greater purpose.

The moment I watched Hidden Figures and read about Mae Jemison's journey to space, I felt a pride I had never experienced before. I saw myself in their stories, in these brilliant women who had shattered every barrier in their path to reach the stars, and I knew I had a fierce determination within me to become the next generation of women making history at NASA. Yet I've discovered that with every dream comes a reality, one filled with obstacles that test whether your aspirations are simply wishes or unshakeable convictions. Transitioning from the quiet suburban life I knew in Texas to Alabama was challenging enough, but during my first semester, I was present during the 2024 homecoming mass shooting that tragically claimed a life and left countless others wounded, both physically and mentally. The fear and chaos of that moment left deep scars. But despite the trauma, I stayed. TU had become my home away from home, and I refused to let violence steal my future or the community I was building. One year later, I faced an even more devastating challenge. Following a football game in Montgomery, Alabama, I was trampled and violently thrown into a glass cabinet. A 3 inch shard of glass pierced my back, requiring emergency surgery. My inferior vena cava was injured and I lost my gallbladder. Lying in ICU, everyone urged me to withdraw from school and focus solely on recovery. Quitting has never been in my nature. The pain was excruciating, and every day required willpower I didn't know I had. My grades dropped as I balanced recovery with coursework. I fought through because giving up on my education meant giving up on myself and my dreams. However, throughout this ordeal, Tuskegee University stood by me with unwavering support. These challenges have profoundly influenced my goals. My dreams are no longer just about personal achievement. It's about honoring everyone who supported me through my darkest moments and proving that a young woman from Rowlett, Texas, who survived unimaginable trauma, deserves a seat at the table where humanity's greatest achievements are designed. I want to become the Mae Jemison or Katherine Johnson for the next generation, showing them that no obstacle is too great when you refuse to surrender. I am a walking testimony to the power of perseverance. Every day I attend my engineering classes and work toward my NASA dreams is a victory over circumstances that could have ended everything. My story will one day encourage others to push forward when life is unkind, proving that resilience and determination can triumph over even the most devastating challenges. These experiences have taught me that setbacks are not endpoints, they are opportunities to build resilience that can be shared with others. These setbacks tested me in ways that went far beyond physical pain—they shook my mental and emotional foundation. After the shooting, I sought therapy to process the trauma and fear that haunted me. When I was trampled and nearly lost my life, I returned to therapy once again, recognizing that healing my body wasn't enough; I needed to heal my mind and spirit too. These experiences have shown me that seeking help is not weakness—it's strength. I am committed to advocating for mental health awareness in STEM fields and using my story to encourage others, especially young Black women, to prioritize their mental wellbeing while chasing their goals. If my journey can help even one person understand that it's okay to struggle, to seek therapy, and to keep moving forward despite setbacks, then every painful moment will have served a greater purpose.

The moment I watched Hidden Figures and read about Mae Jemison's journey to space, I felt a pride I had never experienced before. I saw myself in their stories, in these brilliant Black women who had shattered every barrier in their path to reach the stars, and I knew I had a fierce determination within me to become the next generation of Black women making history at NASA. Yet I've discovered that with every dream comes a reality, one filled with obstacles that test whether your aspirations are simply wishes or unshakeable convictions. Transitioning from the quiet suburban life I knew in Texas to Tuskegee was challenging enough, but during my first semester, I experienced something that changed me forever. I was present during the 2024 homecoming mass shooting that tragically claimed a life and left countless others wounded, both physically and mentally. The fear and chaos of that moment left deep scars. Many students left Tuskegee after that tragedy, and no one would have blamed them. But despite the trauma, I stayed. TU had become my home away from home, and I refused to let violence steal my future or the community I was building. Just as I began healing from that experience, I faced an even more devastating challenge one year later. Following a football game in Montgomery, Alabama, I was caught in a crowd surge and trampled, then violently thrown into a glass cabinet. A 2-3 inch shard of glass pierced my back, requiring emergency exploratory surgery. The damage was catastrophic. My inferior vena cava was injured, and I lost my gallbladder. Everyone urged me to withdraw from school and focus solely on recovery. Lying in ICU on my mother’s birthday, I repeatedly told myself that quitting has never been in my nature. The pain was excruciating, and every day required willpower I didn't know I had. Simply attending class felt like climbing a mountain. I won't pretend it didn't affect me. My grades dropped as I balanced recovery with coursework. Yet I fought through and completed the semester because I knew that giving up on my education meant giving up on myself and my dreams. This experience has placed an unexpected financial burden on my family as we navigate insurance claims and disputes, adding stress to an already overwhelming situation. However, throughout this ordeal, Tuskegee University stood by me with unwavering support, reinforcing why I chose to stay. These challenges have profoundly influenced my goals. My dream of working for NASA is no longer just about personal achievement. It's about honoring everyone who supported me through my darkest moments and proving that a young Black woman from Rowlett, Texas, who survived unimaginable trauma, deserves a seat at the table where humanity's greatest achievements are designed. I want to become the Mae Jemison or Katherine Johnson for the next generation, showing them that no obstacle is too great when you refuse to surrender. I am a walking testimony to the power of perseverance. Every day I attend my engineering classes and work toward my NASA dreams is a victory over circumstances that could have ended everything. My story will one day encourage others to push forward when life is unkind, proving that resilience and determination can triumph over even the most devastating challenges. These experiences have taught me that setbacks are not endpoints. They are opportunities to build resilience that can be shared with others. As I work toward my NASA dreams, I am committed to giving back by mentoring young students, especially young Black women in STEM, sharing my testimony of survival and determination to show them that their circumstances do not define their destiny, and that they too can overcome and achieve greatness.

My journey to making a positive impact in my community began long before my graduation. Being the daughter of a social worker means, volunteerism and lending a hand was a constant force in our home. My mom would always say “We owe a debt of gratitude to those that nurtured us along the way”. I had no idea what she meant by that, but we always had somewhere to be helping out afterwards. It wasn’t until I began to lead my own volunteer efforts that I realized no one becomes successful through their own efforts - we all stand on the shoulders of the giants before us. The principle "to whom much is given, much is required" reminds me that with the privileges and blessings I receive, there is an obligation to pay it forward. My love for helping others truly started in 6th grade when my mother read about The Joy of Sox in Essence Magazine. She gave me the idea to organize a similar sock drive for the homeless community at my school. At the end of the drive, we collected over 1000 pairs of socks to be donated to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, TX. Since then, my passion has been giving back to the community. I have volunteered over 40 hours each of my high school years through peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, community drives, and more. Thanks to my mom, I have learned empathy firsthand through volunteering and wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond. Throughout my high school years, I have volunteered over 40 hours each year. Each club I am involved in has its own set of required hours. As a North Garland High School MST Magnet student, one of the requirements is 75 hours of community service throughout my time in the program. In addition, I also have to volunteer 30 hours of community service per year for the National Honor Society and Cachet Youth Group. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. I wish to continue this passion for volunteerism throughout college and beyond. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my commitment to giving back and making a positive impact in my community. While in college, I have continued to channel my passions into improving my community and working collaboratively to prepare the next generation of volunteers. I have participated in campus clean ups and local community food banks. My ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of girls of color to pursue STEM careers as I advance further along in my mechanical engineering major. When we give back through volunteering, we strengthen the threads that unite us as a society. Volunteering is an act of service, but one that rewards the giver just as much as the recipient. It fosters a sense of community and connectedness, reminding us that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. By dedicating our time and efforts to causes we care about, we not only make a tangible difference but also gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges others face and the resilience of the human spirit. Volunteering allows us to step outside our own perspectives and gain a broader understanding of the world around us, cultivating empathy and compassion. Ultimately, when we give back, we invest in a better future for all, one act of kindness at a time.

I am currently a freshman mechanical engineering student at Tuskegee University in Alabama. My journey to this point has been shaped by evolving passions and discoveries. Initially, I aspired to become an anesthesiologist. The precision and care required in this field fascinated me, leading me to dedicate four years to a health sciences program in high school. However, during this time, I began to recognize that my true calling lay elsewhere. From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. This childhood fascination never truly faded, but rather grew stronger as I learned more about space exploration. As I completed my health sciences program, I realized that the allure of space had always captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. This revelation prompted me to pivot toward mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering at Tuskegee University. I believe this educational path can provide an exciting and rewarding avenue to transform my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. While my initial interest in medicine taught me valuable lessons about precision and human care, my heart truly belongs to the stars. I aim to apply the same dedication and attention to detail toward the ultimate goal of advancing human exploration, perhaps even contributing to establishing human life on Mars one day. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a woman in engineering, I can actively promote gender diversity and inclusivity within the field, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Furthermore, by bringing unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, women can drive innovation and foster a more well-rounded approach to engineering challenges. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender. What truly excites me about STEM is its boundless potential to transform our understanding of the universe and improve human lives. The intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics creates a powerful framework for innovation that continually pushes boundaries of what's possible. In information technology specifically, I'm fascinated by how complex systems can be designed to process vast amounts of data, revealing patterns and insights previously hidden from view. As a woman in STEM, I believe I can make a positive impact through information technology in several meaningful ways. First, I can contribute unique perspectives to technical challenges, approaching problems with different viewpoints that often lead to more creative and comprehensive solutions. The diverse thinking I bring to the table can help develop technologies that better serve all segments of society. Information technology offers unprecedented opportunities to address global challenges. Through developing sustainable systems, designing accessible technologies, or creating platforms that connect underserved communities to vital resources, I can leverage IT to create tangible positive change. I'm particularly interested in applying data analytics to environmental conservation efforts and developing systems that optimize resource allocation. Additionally, I can serve as a visible role model for younger generations, especially girls interested in technical fields. By breaking down gender barriers and actively mentoring others, I can help create a more inclusive STEM community. I envision using my career to both innovate solutions to complex problems and inspire diverse voices to join the field, creating a ripple effect of positive impact that extends far beyond my individual contributions. The pandemic presented me with the most significant challenge of my young life. As lockdowns began and schools closed, I found myself increasingly isolated from peers during a formative period of my development. What began as a temporary inconvenience quickly evolved into persistent anxiety—not only about my own health but about potentially transmitting the virus to vulnerable family members. The weight of this constant worry, coupled with the sudden loss of normal social interactions, became overwhelming. Rather than allowing anxiety to dictate my experience, I sought creative outlets to regain a sense of control. I discovered crochet through online tutorials and began teaching myself this intricate craft. What started as a simple distraction evolved into a passionate hobby that provided structure, accomplishment, and mindfulness during uncertain times. Each completed project—from simple scarves to complex figures—became tangible evidence of my resilience. Through crochet, I developed dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance that transcended the craft itself. These skills now serve me well in my engineering coursework and will continue to benefit my future career. As restrictions eased, I channeled my renewed confidence into community service, volunteering at food pantries and homeless shelters. These experiences fostered compassion and perspective that further helped manage my anxiety. This challenge taught me that personal growth often emerges from difficult circumstances. By transforming pandemic anxiety into creative expression and community engagement, I discovered inner resources I never knew I possessed—resources that now fuel my academic pursuits and dreams of contributing to space exploration. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind on Mars, through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown - just as with learning crochet - I strive to contribute to expansion into new frontiers.

In the moments between her long workdays and community commitments, my mother often reminded me, "We owe a debt of gratitude to those that nurtured us along the way." As a child, these words seemed like just another of her many sayings as we got into the car for another volunteer activity. But as I've grown, these words have become the foundation of how I understand my place in the world and my responsibility to others. My mother raised me single-handedly while working as a special education teacher and then a school social worker—professions that require immense emotional resilience and compassion. Every day, she would return home after helping students navigate complex personal challenges, only to turn her attention to raising me with the same level of care and dedication. Despite the financial constraints of raising a child on a social worker's salary, she never allowed our circumstances to limit my vision of what was possible for my future. Volunteerism wasn't just encouraged in our home; it was woven into the fabric of our daily lives. My mom approached service not as an occasional activity but as a fundamental responsibility. Whether we were serving meals at homeless shelters, organizing clothing drives, or visiting elderly residents at nursing homes, she ensured that I understood service as an essential expression of our humanity rather than an optional addition to our busy lives. In sixth grade, a pivotal moment crystallized the values my mother had been instilling in me. She showed me an article in Essence Magazine about "The Joy of Sox," a nonprofit providing socks to homeless individuals. Instead of simply donating herself, she challenged me to organize a sock drive at my school. With her guidance but never her takeover, I coordinated my first independent service project. When we delivered over 1,000 pairs of socks to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, Texas, I witnessed firsthand how small acts of organization could create meaningful impact. This early success, nurtured by my mother's belief in my capabilities, ignited a passion for community service that has defined my academic journey. Throughout high school, I committed over 90 hours annually to peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, and various community drives. Each experience reinforced what my mother had been teaching me: that our success is meaningless unless it contributes to the wellbeing of others. Beyond service, my mother pushed me to excel academically with a persistence that sometimes felt relentless. "Average isn't in your DNA." Her unwavering belief in my potential made it impossible for me to doubt myself, even when faced with challenges that seemed insurmountable. She taught me that excellence wasn't about perfection but about consistent effort and resilience in the face of setbacks. Now, as I pursue higher education, the financial realities of college expenses present a significant challenge. The scholarship would allow me to attend summer school, accelerating my academic progress without creating additional financial burden for my mother, who has already sacrificed so much for my education. More importantly, it would honor the values she instilled in me. My mother's impact on my life extends far beyond the practical skills she taught me or the opportunities she created. She showed me that true success lies in using one's talents and resources to improve the lives of others. As I continue my education, I carry her wisdom with me: we all stand on the shoulders of giants, and to whom much is given, much is required. This scholarship represents not just financial assistance but an opportunity to continue the legacy of service that my mother has spent a lifetime building.

My journey to making a positive impact in my community began long before college. As the daughter of a social worker, volunteerism and lending a hand were constant forces in our home. My mom would always say, "We owe a debt of gratitude to those that nurtured us along the way." Initially, these words held little meaning as I accompanied her to various service activities, but their significance gradually revealed itself through experience. It wasn't until I began leading my own volunteer efforts that I realized no one becomes successful solely through their own efforts—we all stand on the shoulders of giants. The principle "to whom much is given, much is required" reminds me that privileges and blessings come with an obligation to pay it forward. In college, as a mechanical engineering student, I'm channeling my passions into pushing innovation and working collaboratively to inspire the next generation. My ultimate goal is to encourage girls of color to pursue STEM careers, addressing the significant underrepresentation in these fields. I've embraced opportunities to volunteer in local schools, leading interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities that make future possibilities tangible for young students. These moments plant seeds of interest that may blossom into passions for STEM fields. By partnering with teachers at schools and recreation centers, I'm helping build a pipeline of future STEM leaders. This work creates a win-win scenario—students gain exposure to relatable role models while I fulfill the values instilled by my mother.

Attending a Historically Black College has been a goal of mine since I attended my first college fair in 2022. Listening to the area representatives describe their unique and enriched educational experiences enticed me. Most spoke of achieving their academic goals and immersing themselves in an environment that celebrates Black culture, history, and excellence. My aunt and uncle are both alumni of Fisk University. They talked to me about the strong sense of community and belonging that HBCUs foster. My Aunt Dena, in particular, explained how HBCUs have a legacy of nurturing and empowering Black students by providing a supportive network from day one. She said Fisk was her "home away from home." You can imagine her disappointment when I told her I would not be attending Fisk University. Contrastingly, both of my parents attended a PWI. They often spoke of feeling lost and disconnected at their PWI throughout my college search, which solidified the notion that I must attend an HBCU. Even then, I still had no idea where to begin my college search after I applied through the HBCU Common App. From there, I narrowed down my prospective schools to those that offered Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering. My God sister, a North Carolina A & T graduate, shared that she benefited from the individualized attention, mentorship, and smaller class sizes, which allowed her to have relationships with the faculty. That level of personalized guidance is invaluable, and knowing I will have access to it relieves a lot of stress that comes with college. By January of 2024, I narrowed my search to Louisiana State University, North Carolina A & T, and Tuskegee University. My family and I attended a campus tour and an orientation with the engineering department at LSU, and there were so many people there that I felt lost in the crowd. Although I didn’t realize it while I was there, I came to the conclusion shortly after that if I felt lost just at the tour, then going to college there would be no better. I was back to square one with being unsure in my college pursuit. Thankfully, the following week, I was invited to Scholar’s Day at Tuskegee University. My dad and I traveled to Tuskegee with open minds. I was nervous because the HBCUs that I had toured so far were small and worn down, which is not where I envisioned myself being for the next 4-5 years. However, at Tuskegee, from the moment we stepped on the campus, I felt at home. The campus was a perfect size and looked well-kept. I went to one of the engineering buildings and sat in on a student panel and they were all so helpful in making my decision. It was as if I was listening to myself speak about why I belonged at TU. I eagerly called my mom during lunch to tell her I found my college home for the next four years, and once I returned home, we submitted the enrollment and housing fees. During my bout of excitement, I applied for the Aerospace Engineering Fastrec program and joined a Tuskegee 2028 group on Instagram to connect with other incoming freshmen. Even before coming onto campus as a student, I already feel the close community that being at an HBCU fosters. Attending Tuskegee University is providing me with an opportunity for unparalleled personal growth, academic excellence, and the chance to be part of a powerful legacy. This institution is empowering the next generation of leaders by creating inclusive spaces that celebrate Black identity and cultivate well-rounded scholars like myself equipped to make our mark on the world. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Furthermore, by bringing unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, women can drive innovation and foster a more well-rounded approach to engineering challenges. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender. What truly excites me about STEM is its boundless potential to transform our understanding of the universe and improve human lives. The intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics creates a powerful framework for innovation that continually pushes boundaries of what's possible. As a woman in STEM, I believe I can make a positive impact through information technology in several meaningful ways. First, I can contribute unique perspectives to technical challenges, approaching problems with different viewpoints that often lead to more creative and comprehensive solutions. The diverse thinking I bring to the table can help develop technologies that better serve all segments of society. Information technology offers unprecedented opportunities to address global challenges. Additionally, I can serve as a visible role model for younger generations, especially girls interested in technical fields. By breaking down gender barriers and actively mentoring others, I can help create a more inclusive STEM community. I envision using my career to both innovate solutions to complex problems and inspire diverse voices to join the field, creating a ripple effect of positive impact that extends far beyond my individual contributions.

I am currently a freshman mechanical engineering student at Tuskegee University in Alabama. My journey to this point has been shaped by evolving passions and discoveries. Initially, I aspired to become an anesthesiologist. The precision and care required in this field fascinated me, leading me to dedicate four years to a health sciences program in high school. However, during this time, I began to recognize that my true calling lay elsewhere. From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. This childhood fascination never truly faded, but rather grew stronger as I learned more about space exploration. As I completed my health sciences program, I realized that the allure of space had always captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I believe the engineering path can provide an exciting and rewarding avenue to transform my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. While my initial interest in medicine taught me valuable lessons about precision and human care, my heart truly belongs to the stars. I aim to apply the same dedication and attention to detail toward the ultimate goal of advancing human exploration, perhaps even contributing to establishing human life on Mars one day. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a woman in engineering, I can actively promote gender diversity and inclusivity within the field, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender. What truly excites me about STEM is its boundless potential to transform our understanding of the universe and improve human lives. The intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics creates a powerful framework for innovation that continually pushes boundaries of what's possible. In information technology specifically, I'm fascinated by how complex systems can be designed to process vast amounts of data, revealing patterns and insights previously hidden from view. As a woman in STEM, I believe I can make a positive impact through information technology in several meaningful ways. First, I can contribute unique perspectives to technical challenges, approaching problems with different viewpoints that often lead to more creative and comprehensive solutions. The diverse thinking I bring to the table can help develop technologies that better serve all segments of society. Additionally, I can serve as a visible role model for younger generations, especially girls interested in technical fields. By breaking down gender barriers and actively mentoring others, I can help create a more inclusive STEM community. I envision using my career to both innovate solutions to complex problems and inspire diverse voices to join the field, creating a ripple effect of positive impact that extends far beyond my individual contributions.

My journey to making a positive impact in my community began long before my graduation. Being the daughter of a social worker means, volunteerism and lending a hand was a constant force in our home. My mom would always say “We owe a great debt to those that nurtured us along the way”. I had no idea what she meant by that, but we always had somewhere to be helping out afterwards. It wasn’t until I began to lead my own volunteer efforts that I realized no one becomes successful through their own efforts - we all stand on the shoulders of the giants before us. The principle "to whom much is given, much is required" reminds me that with the privileges and blessings I receive, there is an obligation to pay it forward. My love for helping others truly started in 6th grade when my mother read about The Joy of Sox in Essence Magazine. She gave me the idea to organize a similar sock drive for the homeless community at my school. At the end of the drive, we collected over 1000 pairs of socks to be donated to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, TX. Since then, my passion has been giving back to the community. I have volunteered over 40 hours each of my high school years through peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, community drives, and more. Thanks to my mom, I have learned empathy firsthand through volunteering and wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. I wish to continue this passion for volunteerism throughout college and beyond. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my commitment to giving back and making a positive impact in my community. During my senior year, I experienced UIL for the first time. This brought on excitement and disappointment. That is until UIL grade checks loomed over my small team like a dark cloud. I learned more than half of the team was not passing which made us ineligible for the upcoming step show. After the initial disappointment, I set out to do my part for the team. I began tutoring some of my teammates afterschool. By the next step show we had enough eligible members and won the World of Step competition in Houston, TX. By donating my time, efforts, and academic skills, I became part of the solution to help those who have not been as fortunate as myself. The act of volunteerism made a tangible positive impact. My ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue STEM careers. As a mechanical engineering student, I will have the unique opportunity to volunteer in local schools and help inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. By visiting classrooms and leading interactive presentations, demonstrations, or hands-on activities related to their field of study, I can make future possibilities come alive for students. Planting seeds of interest will allow younger students to begin their own journeys and passion for STEM fields. Partnering with teachers and local schools and recreation centers creates a win-win - students get exposure to relatable role models, and I could continue to build a pipeline of future STEM leaders through volunteerism. When we give back through volunteering, we strengthen the threads that unite us as a society. Volunteering is an act of service, but one that rewards the giver just as much as the recipient

As "The Bear" has captivated audiences with its raw portrayal of life in a professional kitchen and the personal struggles of its characters, crafting the perfect ending requires a delicate balance of resolution and growth while maintaining the show's gritty realism. The ideal conclusion would tie up loose ends, showcase character development, and leave us viewers with a sense of satisfaction and hope for the future. The finale should begin with The Original Beef of Chicagoland thriving under Mikey's leadership. The staff, once chaotic, now functions as each member having found their niche and purpose. Sydney has grown into a culinary force. Once Carmy began to trust her abilities to create a menu he quickly realizes her innovative ideas have garnered attention from food critics and celebrities alike. The relationship between Carmy and Sydney should showcase a deep mutual respect and understanding, one that highlights their partnership and testament to the power of collaboration in the kitchen. Marcus has blossomed into a confident dessert virtuoso. His creations have become a highlight of the menu, earning him recognition in the Chicago culinary scene. This success has given Marcus a newfound sense of self-worth and purpose after grieving the passing of his beloved mother. Richie, initially resistant to change, has undergone the most significant transformation of all the cast mates. He's embraced his role as the front-of-house manager, his rough edges softened by newfound professionalism and pride in the restaurant's success. He has a great relationship with his ex, her new husband, and their daughter. He also has a heart felt talk with Carmy acknowledging his success in the rebrand. Tina and Ebraheim, the kitchen veterans, have found renewed passion in their work. Their experience and adaptability have proven invaluable in bridging the gap between the old Beef and its new path. Tina rises to the task. However, Ebraheim must leave The Bear due to health reasons and demands of the kitchen. As the series finale unfolds, a crisis should emerge – perhaps a poor review from a prominent food critic or Chef David – that threatens to unravel everything the team has built. This challenge pushes Carmy to confront his lingering demons of self-doubt and perfectionism. He must learn to truly trust his team, delegating responsibilities and allowing others such as Syd to shine. The resolution of this crisis should come not from Carmy's sole efforts but from the collective strength, dedication, and creativity of the entire staff. This moment transforms them from a group of individuals into a true family. The finale should also address Carmy's personal growth. His relationship with his sister, Sugar, has evolved into a supportive partnership, both in business and in healing their family's emotional wounds. Carmy's accepts his brother's legacy through a silent moment of reflection in the kitchen that once belonged to Mikey. As the final episode ends, we see The Bear bustling with satisfied customers. The camera pans through the dining room, capturing snippets of joy and connection among patrons, before moving into the kitchen. The final scene should focus on Carmy, standing at the pass, surveying his creation. The camera pulls back to reveal the entire team working in harmony. The chaotic energy that once defined the kitchen has been replaced by a focused intensity, punctuated by moments of camaraderie and shared purpose. As the episode fades to black, the last sounds we hear are the familiar calls of "Corner!" and "Behind!" – a reminder of the show's central themes: the power of perseverance, the importance of family (both blood and chosen), and the transformative nature of passion and hard work.

My step father, Poppy, is the person I admire most in my life. It wasn’t until I was older that I could truly appreciate the impact he has had on my life. I know my biological father, but it’s one of those situations where a person is absent in plain sight. If I was receiving an award or something where there was a photo-op, my biological dad was there front and center ready to post on social media. Any other time that required him to parent, he was much too busy. However, because of the constant presence, guidance, and nurturing from my Poppy, I know whence my values come from. I have the utmost respect for him because he is why I’ve matured into the young lady I am today. I am beyond grateful for the life lessons he has sown into the fabric of my life. When he married my mother, he brought me before the altar and vowed to be the best father figure and he has held true to that promise. When Poppy came into my life, I had an irrational fear of people in masks or costumes. I have no fond memories or pictures with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or even Chuck E Cheese due to masklophobia. He helped me to overcome my fears by encouraging me to peel back the layers to discover that underneath is a person just like you. I didn’t know it then but that lesson has helped shape who I am today and the woman I am to become. Costumes are projections of who we want people to believe we are. He has always encouraged me to be resilient in my own skin. Every scraped knee, every awards show, and even every college tour, he has been there to encourage and cheer me on, which is a huge part of the reason I’ve made it my life’s mission to help others. My love for volunteering started in 6th grade when I had the idea to organize a sock drive for the homeless community. At the end of the drive, we collected over 1000 pairs of new socks. Since then, my passion has been giving back to the community. I have volunteered over 200+ hours throughout high school through peer tutoring, city-wide clean ups, food pantry distributions, community drives, and more. I have learned empathy firsthand through volunteering and wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond, thanks to my poppy. As I look toward graduation, remembering my poppy’s vow to me helps me stay focused on setting an example of humbled courage. He taught me that goodness is about uplifting human dignity through daily action, not waiting for ideal circumstances. Wherever my education takes me, I want to help empower others facing economic hardships or injustices by removing barriers separating them from their goals. The world can feel cold and disheartening but I want others to see the world still holds enough warmth to sustain hope. My stepdad’s lessons wake me each morning asking who I can uplift. If selected as a scholarship recipient, I will continue to help, by paying it forward to smooth the way for those striving toward a better tomorrow. And if I am ever fortunate enough to be honored for the workI plan to do with NASA, don’t be fooled by the overly excited man cheesing for the camera. My dad will be the one standing stoic and unbothered, because he always knew I would do it.

From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. The allure of space has captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I am hoping a degree in aerospace engineering can provide an exciting and rewarding path to turn my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe, leading to human life on Mars one day. The prospect of being part of the team that designs and builds the spacecraft and systems that will carry humanity to new frontiers fills me with a sense of purpose and determination. I am driven by the desire to leave a lasting impact on space exploration, inspiring future generations to continue reaching for the stars. With each step forward, we inch closer to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, and I am committed to dedicating my skills and knowledge to this noble pursuit. Initially, I was advised to select mechanical engineering as it would broaden my employability. However, that is not where my passion lies. I am sure a mechanical engineering degree would have opened many doors, but would I be satisfied? I envision myself playing a vital role in aerospace engineering by designing and developing the cutting-edge spacecraft and rockets that will carry future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I will also affect the community around me by doing my part in bettering the greenhouse gas emissions put in the atmosphere by popular aerospace companies. As a future aerospace engineering college student, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a woman in engineering, I can actively promote gender diversity and inclusivity within the field, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Furthermore, by bringing unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, women can drive innovation and foster a more well-rounded approach to engineering challenges. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender.

From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. The allure of space has captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I am hoping a degree in aerospace engineering can provide an exciting and rewarding path to turn my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe, leading to human life on Mars one day. The prospect of being part of the team that designs and builds the spacecraft and systems that will carry humanity to new frontiers fills me with a sense of purpose and determination. I am driven by the desire to leave a lasting impact on space exploration, inspiring future generations to continue reaching for the stars. With each step forward, we inch closer to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, and I am committed to dedicating my skills and knowledge to this noble pursuit. Initially, I was advised to select mechanical engineering as it would broaden my employability. However, that is not where my passion lies. I am sure a mechanical engineering degree would have opened many doors, but would I be satisfied? I envision myself playing a vital role in aerospace engineering by designing and developing the cutting-edge spacecraft and rockets that will carry future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I will also affect the community around me by doing my part in bettering the greenhouse gas emissions put in the atmosphere by popular aerospace companies. My commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship will drive me to explore innovative solutions that minimize the ecological impact of space exploration. By pioneering cleaner propulsion systems and energy-efficient designs, I can contribute to a more responsible and eco-friendly approach to aerospace engineering. Furthermore, I aspire to inspire the next generation of engineers, particularly young women and underrepresented groups, to pursue their dreams in STEM fields and shape the future of space exploration. Through outreach programs and mentorship initiatives, I will strive to break down barriers and create an inclusive environment that nurtures diverse perspectives and talents. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a woman in engineering, I can actively promote gender diversity and inclusivity within the field, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Furthermore, by bringing unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, women can drive innovation and foster a more well-rounded approach to engineering challenges. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind on Mars, through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown. I strive to contribute to expansion into new frontiers.

My journey to making a positive impact in my community began long before my graduation. Being the daughter of a social worker means, volunteerism and lending a hand was a constant force in our home. My mom would always say “We owe a debt of gratitude to those that nurtured us along the way”. I had no idea what she meant by that, but we always had somewhere to be helping out afterwards. It wasn’t until I began to lead my own volunteer efforts that I realized no one becomes successful through their own efforts - we all stand on the shoulders of the giants before us. The principle "to whom much is given, much is required" reminds me that with the privileges and blessings I receive, there is an obligation to pay it forward. My love for helping others truly started in 6th grade when my mother read about The Joy of Sox in Essence Magazine. She gave me the idea to organize a similar sock drive for the homeless community at my school. At the end of the drive, we collected over 1000 pairs of socks to be donated to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, TX. Since then, my passion has been giving back to the community. I have volunteered 50+ hours each semester of high school years through peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, community drives, and more. Thanks to my mom, I have learned empathy firsthand through volunteering and wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. I wish to continue this passion for volunteerism throughout college and beyond. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my commitment to giving back and making a positive impact in my community. During my senior year, I experienced UIL for the first time. This brought on excitement and disappointment. As a member of my school’s step team, we would be participating in regional and state step competitions. That is until UIL grade checks loomed over my small team like a dark cloud. I sadly learned more than half of the team was not passing which made us ineligible for the upcoming step show. After the initial disappointment, I set out to do my part for the team. I began tutoring some of my teammates afterschool. By the next step show we had enough eligible members and won the World of Step competition in Houston, TX. By donating my time, efforts, and academic skills, I became part of the solution to help those who have not been as fortunate as myself. The act of volunteerism made a tangible positive impact. When we give back through volunteering, we strengthen the threads that unite us as a society. Volunteering is an act of service, but one that rewards the giver just as much as the recipient. It fosters a sense of community and connectedness, reminding us that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. By dedicating our time and efforts to causes we care about, we not only make a tangible difference but also gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges others face and the resilience of the human spirit. Volunteering allows us to step outside our own perspectives and gain a broader understanding of the world around us, cultivating empathy and compassion. Ultimately, when we give back, we invest in a better future for all, one act of kindness at a time.

From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. The allure of space has captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I am hoping a degree in aerospace engineering can provide an exciting and rewarding path to turn my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe, leading to human life on Mars one day. The prospect of being part of the team that designs and builds the spacecraft and systems that will carry humanity to new frontiers fills me with a sense of purpose and determination. I am driven by the desire to leave a lasting impact on space exploration, inspiring future generations to continue reaching for the stars. With each step forward, we inch closer to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, and I am committed to dedicating my skills and knowledge to this noble pursuit. Initially, I was advised to select mechanical engineering as it would broaden my employability. However, that is not where my passion lies. I am sure a mechanical engineering degree would have opened many doors, but would I be satisfied? I envision myself playing a vital role in aerospace engineering by designing and developing the cutting-edge spacecraft and rockets that will carry future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I will also affect the community around me by doing my part in bettering the greenhouse gas emissions put in the atmosphere by popular aerospace companies. As a future aerospace engineering college student, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a woman in engineering, I can actively promote gender diversity and inclusivity within the field, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Furthermore, by bringing unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, women can drive innovation and foster a more well-rounded approach to engineering challenges. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender.

From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. The allure of space has captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I am hoping a degree in aerospace engineering can provide an exciting and rewarding path to turn my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe leading to human life on Mars one day. Initially, I was advised to select mechanical engineering as it would broaden my employability. However, that is not where my passion lies. I am sure a mechanical engineering degree would have opened many doors, but would I be satisfied? I envision myself playing a vital role in aerospace engineering by designing and developing the cutting-edge spacecraft and rockets that will carry future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I will also affect the community around me by doing my part in bettering the greenhouse gas emissions put in the atmosphere by popular aerospace companies. As a future aerospace engineering college student, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As a woman in engineering, I can actively promote gender diversity and inclusivity within the field, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. By mentoring and supporting other women and girls interested in STEM, I can help create a supportive community that nurtures their talent and ambitions. Furthermore, by bringing unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, women can drive innovation and foster a more well-rounded approach to engineering challenges. Through our collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and dynamic engineering landscape that empowers individuals regardless of gender.

I miss the days when the newest Just Dance video was all I ever cared about. The days when I would worry about a spelling test, not wishing my skin was darker. I know most Black people wish their skin color were lighter, but those same people have a community of others like them where they can feel like they belong. Whether it is because of my skin tone, where I grew up, or my lack of knowledge about African culture, there will always be something that sets me apart from my Black peers. I have never felt like I belonged when around the Black kids in school, especially after the “white” jokes started around 6th grade when I attended the same school where my mixed race mom worked. At first, I just laughed along; I mean, they have always been funny. However, the jokes got tiring after every new Black person or group I would meet would say the same couple of jokes. I have heard so many remarks or questions about my race and my mom's. “Aren’t you white?” “But you’re not even Black!” I can not even count the number of times. It has gotten to the point where I sometimes feel uncomfortable calling myself or my mom Black in front of other people because I have been “corrected” one too many times. My skin tone is not the only thing that separates me from my Black peers. I would talk with my cousins from Louisiana, and I felt so out of touch with the other kids. They talked about shootings on their streets and fights at their school. The girls talked about getting their hair done. I could not relate to anything they were talking about. It made me feel less Black. In my eyes, that is what all Black people go through. My parents went through it, and their families went through it before that. Because I did not grow up in poverty and the "hood," I was not like them. I was "whitewashed" by my Black friends and family. Because my school is so diverse, it is enriched with all kinds of cultures - especially African. There is a huge percentage of African students at my school, and I have been jealous of them from day one. They are always so tight-knit and close with one another that I started longing for that type of connection. It did not help that I started befriending different people from within those groups, which just made me feel more disconnected from those around me. It almost seemed as if they were all one group, and I was the straggler wandering around school. It used to affect my sleep. I would go to bed wishing my family were more cultural or even that they had come from another country. Thankfully, I have since grown out of that. I have come to the realization that being insecure or hateful about my past gives me nothing but sadness. Although my feelings of disconnect will not change with age, I refuse to let the jokes and my past stop me from connecting to my culture. I will continue joining clubs such as the Black Student Union and researching my ethnic background. Learning more about it can raise my confidence about my "Blackness," which would prevent the jokes from having the effect that they currently hold on me. Also, through practicing introspection, I realize that I can not change the actions of others, but I can change my reactions. This will also allow me to have an increased connection with others. Considering other perspectives, listening, and compassionate responses to others creates effective communication and understanding for those with whom I wish to connect. I must also understand that being Black is not the same experience for everyone. We are not a monolith. We are multifaceted individuals with unique stories and lived experiences.

From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. The allure of space has captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I am hoping a degree in aerospace engineering can provide an exciting and rewarding path to turn my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe leading to human life on Mars one day. Initially, I was advised to select mechanical engineering as it would broaden my employability. However, that is not where my passion lies. I am sure a mechanical engineering degree would have opened many doors, but would I be satisfied? I envision myself playing a vital role in aerospace engineering by designing and developing the cutting-edge spacecraft and rockets that will carry future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I will also affect the community around me by doing my part in bettering the greenhouse gas emissions put in the atmosphere by popular aerospace companies. As a future aerospace engineering college student, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. At the core of my existence, I am committed to achieving my goal of becoming an astronaut and leading a fulfilling life dedicated to uplifting my community. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes, I can encourage more girls to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe.My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my academic goals and commitment to space exploration. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind on Mars, through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown.

My mother is the most inspirational person because of her boundless kindness and ability to uplift others no matter the circumstance. As a school social worker, she faces constant job-related stress and fatigue but always has an encouraging word for those she encounters. She always reminded me to put my crown back on when I faced disappointments or letdowns while growing up. It wasn’t until I was older that I truly appreciated her constant reminder of how I should view myself and the world around me. My mother is the epitome of a strong Black woman. She would always tell me these fascinating stories of her childhood and strength. With each story, my level of respect and admiration for her grew, especially after learning that she was born and raised in government housing by a single mom. I made the promise to her that I would never give up on myself or my goals. I hope to continue making my mother proud because, as she says, “I can’t wait to tell everyone my daughter is an aerospace engineering student at Tuskegee University.” From a young age, I had an innate curiosity about the world around me and a deep fascination with science and space. I loved learning about how things worked - whether it was the life cycle of stars, the forces that kept planets aligned, or the chemical reactions that caused volcanic eruptions. Science opened up an endlessly fascinating universe that I wanted to explore and understand. My mom recognized and nurtured this passion from the start. Whenever I bombarded her with a ton of questions about the natural world, she never brushed me off. Instead, she would patiently explain the concepts to me in terms I could comprehend. She showed me that science was everywhere around me and I wanted to learn all I could about it. My mom always went out of her way to foster my scientific interests. We spent a lot of time at the Perot Museum each time there was a new exhibit. We built rockets together and she always purchased National Geographic Science Experiment kits to explore chemical reactions with me. My favorite memory is constructing Rube Goldberg machines from random objects we found around the house. During my junior year, my mom encouraged me to apply to a summer space camp at Dillard University and High Ability at Grambling University. These two programs led me to consider aerospace engineering. Thanks to my mother’s encouragement and nurturing of my scientific interests, I will be able to transform my childhood passion into a deeply fulfilling career. My engineering program will give me the skills to improve environmental efforts in the spacecraft industry significantly. By using the latest technologies, like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to make spacecraft even more sustainable. At the core of my existence, I am committed to achieving my goal of becoming an astronaut and leading a fulfilling life dedicated to uplifting my community. The world can feel cold and disheartening but I want others to see the world still holds enough warmth to sustain hope. My mother’s lessons wake me each morning asking who I can uplift. If selected as a scholarship recipient, I will continue to help, by paying it forward to smooth the way for those striving toward a better tomorrow. And if I am ever fortunate enough to be honored for the work I plan to do with NASA, my mom will be the first one I thank because she always knew I would do it.

I am expecting my college years to be an exciting journey of personal growth and intellectual advancement. However, this new experience will also bring its fair share of challenges. I will be tasked with finding the right balance between my academic pursuits as an aerospace engineering student at Tuskegee University and a fulfilling personal life that is vital as I enter adulthood. Through planning and dedication to my studies, I will achieve success in both my personal and academic life. At the core of my existence, I am committed to achieving my goal of becoming an astronaut and leading a fulfilling life dedicated to uplifting my community. Last summer, I attended High Ability at Grambling State University and a space stem camp at Dillard University. One of the main focuses of these programs was establishing a consistent study routine. Regular class attendance, active participation, and note-taking was explained to be the foundation for understanding complex material. Equally important is the use of academic resources, such as professors' office hours, tutoring services, and study groups. Thanks to the weeks I spent at Grambling and Dillard University, I got valuable college experience and learned that these sources not only clarify concepts but also create a collaborative learning environment. While academic pursuits are significant, being a well-rounded college student will extend beyond the classroom. In high school, I am very active in extracurricular activities and organizations which has contributed to my personal growth. These outlets not only cultivated my interests and passions but also helped to develop my leadership abilities and a sense of belonging within my campus community. Maintaining a robust social life is equally vital for personal well-being. Building meaningful friendships and fostering a supportive network can alleviate stress, offer emotional support, and create lasting memories. Additionally, pursuing hobbies and exploring new experiences beyond the academic realm contribute to a balanced and enriching college journey. During covid, I, like many other teens, began to develop anxiety from being on lockdown, coupled with the fear of spreading the virus to my family. To combat this feeling, I self-taught crocheting through online tutorials and experimentation. What started as a hobby became a creative outlet for self-care. Through crocheting, I have learned dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance - skills I will apply to a future engineering career. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I plan to continue making a difference through volunteerism throughout my career. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my academic goals and commitment to space exploration. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind on Mars, through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown - just as with learning crochet - I strive to contribute to expansion into new frontiers.

From a young age, when I gazed up at the lights in the night sky, I was filled with awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. The allure of space has captivated my imagination and fostered a deep curiosity about the great unknown that lies beyond our planet. I am hoping a degree in aerospace engineering can provide an exciting and rewarding path to turn my passion into a career with NASA. My dream is to contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe leading to human life on Mars one day. Initially, I was advised to select mechanical engineering as it would broaden my employability. However, that is not where my passion lies. I am sure a mechanical engineering degree would have opened many doors, but would I be satisfied? I envision myself playing a vital role in aerospace engineering by designing and developing the cutting-edge spacecraft and rockets that will carry future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I will also affect the community around me by doing my part in bettering the greenhouse gas emissions put in the atmosphere by popular aerospace companies. As a future aerospace engineering college student at Tuskegee University, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. As a female in the STEM field, I would not only pursue my passion for space but also serve as an inspiration and role model for future generations. By breaking down gender barriers and shattering stereotypes for girls, I can encourage more girls of color to embrace their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. When girls of color see successful professionals who look like them, it can motivate the underrepresented minorities students to pursue diverse careers. This is what I experienced the first time I read Mae Jemison: A Kid's Book About Reaching Your Dreams to my little brother. This book ignited a passion inside of me and I have a duty to be a beacon of hope for the next generation. I envision a career for myself that has every discovery, every breakthrough, and every achievement as a testament to my passion, dedication, and commitment to unlocking the secrets of the universe.

As a future mechanical and aerospace engineering college student at Tuskegee University, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. Rising levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are causing the earth's atmosphere to warm by trapping more of the sun's heat. This is leading to rising surface and ocean temperatures around the globe. To help, I will use renewable materials found in space through asteroids and the other planets in our solar system and find creative ways to reuse spacecraft parts. I will also work to figure out a way to remove greenhouse gases from our atmosphere, which may include putting them on another planet. My engineering program will give me the skills to significantly improve environmental efforts in the spacecraft industry. In previous years, I was a shy kid. I got terrible anxiety when talking to people my age, and I used that as an excuse as to why I wasn’t fit for leadership roles. I used to hold my ideas in and put my complete trust in my fellow students who were more vocal than me. After a couple of years and group project let-downs, I realized I had great ideas and couldn’t just dim my light when it shined so brightly. Since my revelation, I have taken on more leadership roles, including president of the North Garland High School chapter of the National Honor Society. This year has shown me that I shouldn’t be afraid to put myself out there and that I have great ideas. I will use the qualities I’ve learned as a leader to give myself more opportunities to shine in the future. I am expecting college to present both academic and personal challenges—heavy workloads and daunting exams. No matter how difficult, each obstacle is an opportunity to build my perseverance and resourcefulness. By embracing challenges as chances for self-improvement, I will always emerge resilient. Changing the way I think is essential. For example, instead of “I’m not good enough,” I say, “I will learn how to master this in time.” Many people use failure as an excuse to quit when it should be a motivator to try harder. Overcoming each challenge transforms the meaning of the struggle into fuel for future success. While in college, I hope to continue channeling my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare the next generation of volunteers. My ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of girls of color to pursue STEM careers. I can make future possibilities come alive for students. Planting seeds of interest will allow younger students to begin their own journeys and passion for STEM fields. When we give back through volunteering, we strengthen the threads that unite us as a society. Volunteering is an act of service, but one that rewards the giver just as much as the recipient

I miss the days when the newest Just Dance video was all I ever cared about. The days when I would worry about a spelling test, not wishing my skin was darker. I know most Black people wish their skin color were lighter, but those same people have a community of others like them where they can feel like they belong. Whether it is because of my skin tone, where I grew up, or my lack of knowledge about African culture, there will always be something that sets me apart from my Black peers. I have never felt like I belonged when around the Black kids in school, especially after the “white” jokes started around 6th grade. At first, I just laughed along; I mean, they have always been funny. However, the jokes got tiring after every new Black person or group I would meet would say the same couple of jokes. I have heard so many remarks or questions about my race. “Isn't your mom white?” “But you’re not even Black!” It has gotten to the point where I sometimes feel uncomfortable calling myself Black in front of other people because I have been “corrected” one too many times. My skin tone is not the only thing that separates me from my Black peers. I would talk with my cousins from Louisiana, and I felt so out of touch with the other kids. It made me feel less Black. In my eyes, that is what all Black people go through. My parents went through it, and their families went through it before that. I was "whitewashed" by my Black friends and family. Because my school is so diverse, it is enriched with all kinds of cultures - especially African. There is a huge percentage of African students at my school, and I have been jealous of them from day one. They are always so tight-knit and close with one another that I started longing for that type of connection. It did not help that I started befriending different people from within those groups, which just made me feel more disconnected from those around me. It almost seemed as if they were all one group, and I was the straggler wandering around school. It used to affect my sleep. I would go to bed wishing my family were more cultural or even that they had come from another country. Thankfully, I have since grown out of that. I have come to the realization that being insecure or hateful about my past gives me nothing but sadness. Although my feelings of disconnect will not change with age, I refuse to let the jokes and my past stop me from connecting to my culture. I will continue joining clubs such as the Black Student Union and researching my ethnic background. Learning more about it can raise my confidence about my “Blackness,” which would prevent the jokes from having the effect that they currently hold on me. Also, through practicing introspection, I realize that I can not change the actions of others, but I can change my reactions. This will also allow me to have an increased connection with others. Considering other perspectives, listening, and compassionate responses to others creates effective communication and understanding for those with whom I wish to connect. I must also understand that being Black is not the same for everyone. We are not a monolith. We are multifaceted. My advice for anyone experiencing similar feelings would be to embrace those qualities that make the feel unique. Sometimes not fitting in is the freshest perspective.

As a future mechanical and aerospace engineering college student, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. Rising levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are causing the earth's atmosphere to warm by trapping more of the sun's heat. This is leading to rising surface and ocean temperatures around the globe. To help, I will use renewable materials found in space through asteroids and the other planets in our solar system and find creative ways to reuse spacecraft parts. I will also work to figure out a way to remove greenhouse gases from our atmosphere, which may include putting them on another planet. My engineering program will give me the skills to significantly improve environmental efforts in the spacecraft industry. By using the latest technologies, like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to make spacecraft even more sustainable. My college and career goals are to find new ways to design cutting-edge, eco-friendly spacecraft through ongoing research, which could lead to possible civilian space travel and even a future of human life on Mars. While in college, I hope to continue channeling my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare the next generation of volunteers. My ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. By visiting classrooms and leading interactive presentations, demonstrations, or hands-on activities related to their field of study, I can make future possibilities come alive for students. Planting seeds of interest will allow younger students to begin their own journeys and passion for STEM fields. Partnering with teachers and local schools and recreation centers creates a win-win - students get exposure to relatable role models, and I could continue to build a pipeline of future STEM leaders through volunteerism. When we give back through volunteering, we strengthen the threads that unite us as a society. Volunteering is an act of service, but one that rewards the giver just as much as the recipient. At 16, I self-taught crocheting through online tutorials and experimentation. What started as a hobby became a creative outlet for self-care. Through crocheting, I have learned dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance - skills I will apply to a future engineering career. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I plan to continue making a difference through volunteerism throughout my career. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my academic goals and commitment to space exploration. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind on Mars, through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown - just as with learning crochet - I strive to contribute to expansion into new frontiers.

The principle "to whom much is given, much is required" reminds me that with the privileges and blessings I receive, there is an obligation to pay it forward. Throughout my high school years, I have volunteered over 40 hours each year. Each club I represent has its own set of required hours. As a North Garland High School MST Magnet student, one of the requirements is 75 hours of community service throughout my time in the program. In addition, I also have to volunteer 30 hours of community service per year for NHS and Cachet Youth Group. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. I wish to continue this passion for volunteerism throughout college and beyond. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my commitment to giving back and making a positive impact in my community. While in college, I hope to continue channeling my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare the next generation of volunteers. My ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.

My journey to making a positive impact in my community began long before my graduation. Being the daughter of a social worker means, volunteerism and lending a hand was a constant force in our home. My mom would always say “We owe a debt of gratitude to those that nurtured us and provided the foundation for our success”. I had no idea what she meant by that, but we always had somewhere to be helping out afterwards. It wasn’t until I began to lead my own volunteer efforts that I realized no one becomes successful through their own efforts - we all stand on the shoulders of the giants before us. The principle "to whom much is given, much is required" reminds me that with the privileges and blessings I receive, there is an obligation to pay it forward. My love for helping others truly started in 6th grade when my mother read about The Joy of Sox in Essence Magazine. She gave me the idea to organize a similar sock drive for the homeless community at my school. At the end of the drive, we collected over 1000 pairs of socks to be donated to the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, TX. Since then, my passion has been giving back to the community. I have volunteered over 40 hours each of my high school years through peer tutoring, city-wide clean-ups, food pantry distributions, community drives, and more. Thanks to my mom, I have learned empathy firsthand through volunteering and wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond. Throughout my high school years, I have volunteered over 40 hours each year. Each club I represent has its own set of required hours. As a MST Magnet student, one of the requirements is 75 hours of community service throughout my time in the program. In addition, I also have to volunteer 30 hours of community service per year for National Honor Society. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. I wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my commitment to giving back and making a positive impact in my community. While in college, I hope to continue channeling my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare the next generation of volunteers. My ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. By visiting classrooms and leading interactive presentations, demonstrations, or hands-on activities related to their field of study, I can make future possibilities come alive for students. Planting seeds of interest will allow younger students to begin their own journeys and passion for STEM fields. Partnering with teachers and local schools and recreation centers creates a win-win - students get exposure to relatable role models, and I could continue to build a pipeline of future STEM leaders through volunteerism.

I miss the days when the newest Just Dance video was all I ever cared about, not wishing my skin was darker. I know most Black people wish their skin color were lighter, but those same people have a community of others like them where they can feel like they belong. Whether it is because of my skin tone, where I grew up, or my lack of knowledge about African culture, there will always be something that sets me apart from my Black peers. I have never felt like I belonged when around the Black kids in school, especially after the “white” jokes started around 6th grade. At first, I just laughed along; I mean, they have always been funny. However, the jokes got tiring after every new Black person or group I would meet would say the same couple of jokes. I have heard so many remarks or questions about my race. “Is your mom white?” “You aren't even Black!” It has gotten to the point where I sometimes feel uncomfortable calling myself Black in front of other people because I have been “corrected” one too many times. My skin tone is not the only thing that separates me from my Black peers. I would talk with my cousins from Louisiana, and I felt so out of touch with the other kids. They talked about shootings on their streets and fights at their school. I could not relate to anything they were talking about. It made me feel less Black. In my eyes, that is what all Black people go through. My parents went through it, and their families went through it before that. Because I did not grow up in poverty or the "hood," I was not like them. I was "whitewashed" by my Black friends and family. Because my school is so diverse, it is enriched with all kinds of cultures - especially African. There is a huge percentage of African students at my school, and I have been jealous of them from day one. They are always so tight-knit and close with one another that I started longing for that type of connection. It did not help that I started befriending different people from within those groups, which just made me feel more disconnected from those around me. It almost seemed as if they were all one group, and I was the straggler wandering around school. It used to affect my sleep. I would go to bed wishing my family were more cultural or even that they had come from another country. Thankfully, I have since grown out of that. I have come to the realization that being insecure or hateful about my past gives me nothing but sadness. Although my feelings of disconnect will not change with age, I refuse to let the jokes and my past stop me from connecting to my culture. I will continue joining clubs such as the Black Student Union and researching my ethnic background. Learning more about it can raise my confidence about my “Blackness,” which would prevent the jokes from having the effect that they currently hold on me. Also, through practicing introspection, I realize that I can not change the actions of others, but I can change my reactions. This will also allow me to have an increased connection with others. Considering other perspectives, listening, and compassionate responses to others creates effective communication and understanding for those with whom I wish to connect. I must also understand that being Black is not the same for everyone. We are not a monolith. We are multifaceted.

In previous years, I was a shy kid. I got terrible anxiety when talking to people my age, and I used that as an excuse as to why I wasn’t fit for leadership roles. I used to hold my ideas in and put my complete trust in my fellow students who were more “out there” than me. After a couple of years and group project let-downs, I realized I had great ideas and couldn’t just dim my light when it shined so brightly. Since my revelation, I have taken on more leadership roles, including president of the 2023-2024 North Garland High School chapter of the National Honor Society and 2022-2023 Junior Secretary. As president, I preside over all NHS chapter meetings and ensure that the organization's standards and constitution are followed. Some of my primary duties include leading the officer team in making decisions about chapter activities and community service projects; serving as a role model and motivating other members to be involved and meet their commitments; representing the chapter at regional or national NHS events; maintaining good communication with the chapter adviser and school administration to ensure chapter activities comply with school policies; and planning the end-of-year induction ceremony for new members. This year has shown me that I shouldn’t be afraid to put myself out there and that I have great ideas. I will use the qualities I’ve learned as a leader to give myself more opportunities to shine in the future. As a future aerospace engineering college student, I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. My engineering program will give me the skills to significantly improve environmental efforts in the spacecraft industry. By using the latest technologies, like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to make spacecraft even more sustainable. My college and career goals are to find new ways to design cutting-edge, eco-friendly spacecraft through ongoing research, which could lead to possible civilian space travel and even a future of human life on Mars. As a North Garland High School MST Magnet student, one of the requirements is 75 hours of community service throughout my time in the program. In addition to the MST requirement, I also have to volunteer 30 hours of community service per year for NHS. At 16, I self-taught crocheting through online tutorials and experimentation. What started as a hobby became a creative outlet for self-care. Through crocheting, I have learned dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance - skills I will apply to a future engineering career. I involve myself in my community, volunteering at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I plan to continue making a difference through volunteerism throughout my career. My interests, skills, and experiences have driven my academic goals and commitment to space exploration. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind on Mars, through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown - just as with learning crochet - I strive to contribute to expansion into new frontiers.

My step father, Poppy, is the person I admire most in my life. It wasn’t until I was older that I could truly appreciate the impact he has had on my life. Because of his constant presence, guidance, and nurturing from my Poppy, I know whence my values come from. I have the utmost respect for him because he is why I’ve matured into the young lady I am today. I am beyond grateful for the life lessons he has sown into the fabric of my life. When he married my mother, he brought me before the altar and vowed to be the best father figure and he has held true to that promise. When Poppy came into my life, I had an irrational fear of people in masks or costumes. I have no fond memories or pictures with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or even Chuck E Cheese due to masklophobia. He helped me to overcome my fears by encouraging me to peel back the layers to discover that underneath is a person just like you. I didn’t know it then but that lesson has helped shape who I am today and the woman I am to become. Costumes are projections of who we want people to believe we are. He has always encouraged me to be resilient in my own skin. Every scraped knee, every awards show, and even every college tour, he has been there to encourage and cheer me on which is a huge part of the reason I’ve made it my life’s mission to help others. My love for volunteering started in 6th grade when I had the idea to organize a sock drive for the homeless community. At the end of the drive, we collected over 1000 pairs of new socks which we donated to the Samaritan Inn of McKinney, TX. Since then, my passion has been giving back to the community. I have volunteered over 60 hours each of my high school years through peer tutoring, city-wide clean ups, food pantry distributions, community drives, and more. I have learned empathy firsthand through volunteering and wish to continue this passion throughout college and beyond, thanks to my poppy. As I look toward graduation, the rising cost of higher education sometimes feels daunting, even with scholarships. Remembering my poppy’s vow to me helps me stay focused on setting an example of humbled courage. He taught me that goodness is about uplifting human dignity through daily action, not waiting for ideal circumstances. Wherever my education takes me, I want to help empower others facing economic hardships or injustices by removing barriers separating them from their goals. The financial assistance offered by this scholarship would lighten the financial burden as I work toward a career eliminating emissions and other pollutants in space travel. The world can feel cold and disheartening but I want others to see the world still holds enough warmth to sustain hope. My stepdad’s lessons wake me each morning asking who I can uplift. If selected as a scholarship recipient, I will continue to help, by paying it forward to smooth the way for those striving toward a better tomorrow. And if I am ever fortunate enough to be honored for the work I plan to do with NASA, my stepdad will be the one standing stoic and unbothered, because he always knew I would do it. My educational goal is to attend Tuskegee University majoring in aerospace engineering. I have always had a fascination with space travel. In my profession, I desire to be a part of a team responsible for finding new ways to design cutting-edge, eco-friendly spacecrafts through ongoing research, which could lead to possible civilian space travel and even a future of human life on Mars. In college, I would like to take a fashion design class to elevate my sewing skills. Crocheting is in my my self-care toolkit and I'd love to add fashion design to it.

My biological father was the first person to break my heart. Our relationship has been one of those situations where a person is absent in plain sight. In the beginning, if I was receiving an award or something where there was a photo-op, my biological dad was there front and center ready to post on social media. Any other time that required him to parent, he was much too busy but right on time for any accolades. Then came Covid. I went through depression and anxiety just as every other teenager across the world. It was during this time that I was able to sit back and reflect on my life. I realized that his absence was the reason for my low grades and behavioral issues at home. I was stuck in this phase of subtle outcries for his attention. My behavioral issues looked different from the average child back then. I was dishonest and my room reflected the inner turmoil I was battling. My mom tried to protect me as best she could, but this stage of my life was necessary to my growth. It was also during this time that he removed himself from my life even though there is less than 30 miles that separate us. During this reflection, my step dad was there along the way with his constant presence, guidance, and nurturing spirit. I have the utmost respect for him because he is why I’ve matured into the young lady I am today. I am beyond grateful for the life lessons he has sown into the fabric of my life. When he married my mother, he brought me before the altar and vowed to be the best father figure and he has held true to that promise. He helped me to overcome my fear of masks by encouraging me to peel back the layers to discover that underneath is a person just like you. I didn’t know it then but that lesson has helped shape who I am today and the woman I am to become. Costumes are projections of who we want people to believe we are. He has always encouraged me to be resilient in my own skin. Every scraped knee, every awards show, and even every college tour, he has been there to encourage and cheer me on which is a huge part of the reason I’ve made it my life’s mission to help others. The world can feel cold and disheartening but I want others to see it still holds enough warmth to sustain hope. My stepdad’s lessons wake me each morning asking who I can uplift today. My future career goal is to be an astronaut for NASA. I was inspired after watching Hidden Figures. To see other women persevering after adversity is inspiring. If selected as a scholarship recipient, I will continue to help, by paying it forward to smooth the way for those striving toward a better tomorrow. And if I am ever fortunate enough to be honored for the work I plan to do with NASA, My stepdad will be the one standing beside me beaming with pride, because he always knew I would do it.

My career goals include attending Tuskegee University to major in aerospace engineering, as I desire to be an engineer for NASA. I chose this profession because ever since I was a little kid, I've had a fascination with space and have admired astronauts. With this position, I will further develop and understand the future of humans in outer space. I began crocheting when I was 16, teaching myself the craft through online tutorials and experimentation. What started as a hobby has become a rewarding creative outlet for self-care. Through crocheting, I have learned dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance - skills I hope to apply to a future engineering career. I am also significantly involved in my community, volunteering regularly at the local food pantries, city-wide clean-ups, and homeless shelters. Contributing my time in service to others brings me joy and has shown me the importance of compassion. I look forward to continuing volunteer work throughout my studies and career to lift others and make a difference where I can. My diverse interests, skills, and experiences have driven my ambitious academic goals and commitment to space exploration. I hope to channel my passions into pushing innovation forward, tapping into my creativity to solve problems, and working collaboratively to prepare for the next giant leap for humankind through creativity, perseverance, and embracing the unknown - just as with learning crochet - I strive to contribute to expansion into new frontiers. I want a career designing green aircraft and renewable energy systems that efficiently use resources. I will use ideas from nature and complex system design to make sustainable spacecraft. My goal is to improve airflow, power use, and fuel in ways that protect the environment while keeping costs low. I also want to make manufacturing and operations in aerospace more sustainable. I will use renewable materials found in space through asteroids and the other planets in our solar system and find creative ways to reuse spacecraft parts. My engineering program will give me the skills to significantly improve environmental efforts in the spacecraft industry. By using the latest technologies, like hybrid jet engines and artificial intelligence, I plan to make spacecraft even more sustainable. My college and career goals are to find new ways to design cutting-edge, eco-friendly spacecraft through ongoing research, which could lead to possible civilian space travel and even a future of human life on Mars. As an out-of-state student from a middle-class background, I seek scholarships to cover over 60% of the costs stemming from non-resident tuition and fees, which have unexpectedly increased during this recession. Without substantial scholarships or grant assistance, the burden of out-of-state costs will either prevent my attendance or cripple me with overwhelming student loan debt in the future. This aid will allow a deserving student to enroll despite the financial hardships created by the current economic crisis. I hope to share my diverse perspectives with the school community. Still, I can only attend my first-choice college with a scholarship to cover expenses that have become unfeasible for my family struggling to stay afloat. As the daughter of a school social worker, funds are extremely tight in our household, especially with the added cost of out-of-state rates. My mother works tirelessly to help students in our district overcome challenges and thrive, yet her passion for serving our school community does not yield high pay. Thank you for considering my application.