Hailing from a third-world country where girls are often denied the basic right to education, my journey towards my dream of becoming a pilot is nothing short of extraordinary. My passion for aviation ignited during my childhood. Living so close to an international airport and watching the airplanes land and takeoff, I was always so excited to hear the planes fly over our home. I said to myself, “One day, that would be me flying those planes.” . However, growing up in a society where gender norms dictated that girls should not aspire to careers beyond domesticity, I faced numerous obstacles. Yet, my spirit remained undaunted. I fervently pursued my dream, despite the pressure from society, because I was unwaveringly determined to defy expectations and forge my own path. My journey into aviation began with humble beginnings. I had my first flight with the Young Eagles program with the Experimental Aircraft Association, and that flight was the confirmation I needed to prove to myself that I wanted to pursue a career in aviation. I seized every opportunity to learn about aviation, immersing myself in books and any resource I could find. My thirst for knowledge eventually led me to enroll in a local flight school, where I earned my private pilot license through sheer grit, determination, and financial support from EAA. I am a current senior at Southern Illinois University, where I am pursuing a degree in aviation management/ aviation flight. I am also a part time CFI, teaching other students to earn their aviation certificates. My short-term goals are to earn my multiengine rating, become a certified flight instrument instructor (CFII), graduate from undergraduate school, and start my graduate program with a concentration in business aviation and safety. These milestones are not just stepping stones but essential components of my journey towards excellence in aviation and, someday, owning a flight school where I can inspire others. My career goal is to be a professional pilot. The allure of soaring over the skies has captured my interest since I was a small child. I am ecstatic at the prospect of piloting an advanced aircraft and navigating the vastness of the sky. I want to be a pilot because I want to provide passengers with safe and effective air transport by combining technical proficiency, accuracy, and an in-depth knowledge of aeronautics. I picture myself piloting a variety of aircraft, from narrow-body aircraft to wide-body aircraft, visiting various locations, and getting to know many cultures. With unwavering determination, I am dedicated to pursuing my dream of becoming a professional pilot and embracing the boundless opportunities that await me in the sky. The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Women in Aviation, The Ninety-Nines, Experimental Aircraft Association, and Women in Corporate Aviation are a few of the organizations I am a member of and actively volunteer with. I am involved with the collegiate chapters of these organizations. I volunteer my time with my local EAA chapter for the Young Young Eagles Rally and with Women in Aviation by teaching young girls about aviation on Girls in Aviation Day. I serve as an aviation ambassador for my school, participating in fly-ins and airshows, and I also work as a tour guide for prospective aviation students. My aviation journey has been a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs, but I am determined to make it onto the flight deck with the support of friends, family, and people like Kyle Rairdan, whose legacy I intend to honor with the support of this scholarship. I pray you have forever blue skies and tailwinds!

Growing up, I was told I would not amount to much if I chose to pursue a career in STEM, the words "Girls can't be pilot" were almost always said after I would introduce myself as a pilot. Being told I was not good enough to be a pilot based on my gender and skin color made me even more determined to do and be the best. I am passionate about stem because it allows me to be creative, explore new things, and have a deeper understanding of our everyday world. Learning about aerospace, the physics behind flying, and the calculations that go into each plane that takes off daily makes me feel that I belong in the world of aviation. STEM makes the thought "impossible" possible, through experimentation, calculation, and a dare to dream attitude, mankind has reached boundless heights. I am even more passionate about STEM to prove to the naysayers that a "black girl" can be smart, be a scientist and become an astronaut. Kathrine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson (hidden figures) are role models and legends that inspire me to achieve great things in the world of aerospace. They faced hardship and segregation, but that didn't stop them from achieving their goals of putting man successfully in space. They remain an inspiration to women of color, that in a monotone and mono gender field of STEM, you can make a difference and achieve out of this world things. It is definitely hard being the only woman in a class full of men or the only person of color in an advanced physics class or your professor constantly unconsciously undermining your intelligence in front of your peers, but that only fired me up and made me work harder to prove that I know my stuff and I am as good maybe even better than the next person beside me. STEM teaches me to solve problems and be creative, it prepares me to work in fields that are poised for growth. It develops critical thinking skills and instills a passion for innovation. Science gives learners an in-depth understanding of the world around us and how to improve our everyday lives. The Wright brothers used STEM to invent, build, and fly the world's first successful motor-operated airplane. The brothers were also the first to invent aircraft controls that made the fixed-wing powered flight possible. All of this was to improve and make easier the means of transportation that humans used. The application of STEM has been a tremendous step for humans, and I can't wait to be part of the solution to our everyday problems.