Sometimes, when I am kidding around with my family, and get to downplay the severity of some of my mental disorders, I call myself “a triple threat”. You see, I have been diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety. My adolescent psychiatrist said it best in her letter recommending that I be allowed more time for study and to complete tests. This is what she wrote... “[Dakota has] been a highly successful student, but suffers from inattention, distractibility, anxiety and low frustration tolerance. She met the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders. Now, through the course of her treatment, Dakota has clarified that she has a long term struggle with sequencing, perfectionism, writing and re-writing answers, redoing, labeling and ordering her possessions, and daily rituals. These behaviors are consistent with a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She has been trying to manage her struggles without intervention during middle and high school, but as the work volume and complexity increased, she found herself more overwhelmed and frustrated. Since starting treatment, she feels better and less anxious, but she finds that she gets stressed during exams and often does not complete the tests. She will fixate on a particular problem, unable to move on and will be stuck repeating the same questions or answers. This costs her time, creates frustration and leaves her emotionally drained.” Great, right? Through perseverance (and a bit of prescribed medication), I am able to put all of that psychoanalysis behind me and live up to my own higher standard. In high school, I studied, trained and became an FAA licensed pilot. I was the captain of two varsity teams and a member of a third, I received both the Distinguished Math and Distinguished Achievement Awards at my high school, and best of all at graduation, on our graduate walk, our Dean spent over a minute telling the school about my character in his remarks before he handed me my diploma. I came to CU Boulder to become an astronaut or at least critically involved in our nation’s space program. So far, I am on track, with a 3.55 GPA as an Aerospace Engineering Major with Minors in Space and Material Science. I made the Dean’s List this past semester as a Junior. Additionally, I work at the Fiske Planetarium, helping guests get the most out of their experience. Each day, I work hard to overcome my anxiety. I take a deep breath before entering each class, and force myself to raise my hand when I have an answer or a question. Doing these things will never be easy, but I have gotten better at them over time. It helps that I have made friends in my classes, plus knowing the coursework material gives me greater confidence. Often, in my classes, as I am performing equations to calculate optimal orbital paths, or working out the aerodynamic forces of specific types of aircraft, I think to myself I have such a long way to go. But importantly I am enjoying the ride, and very unlike my ADHD diagnosis, I am sticking with it! Being in college is key to my dream and using techniques to calm my anxiety is the way I will continue to get ahead. Anxiety is a curse, but it does not have to take over my life. I plan to keep working on being more socially confident throughout college and beyond. I will also help others along the way. Thank you for creating such a relevant scholarship. And thank you in advance for any support you may be able to provide me!

I've always loved math. Calculus is a building block for STEM, a key component of math and I am grateful for the answers and opportunities it brings. I am an Aerospace Engineering major at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I also have Minors in Materials Science and Space. I have a 3.55 GPA and made Dean’s List this past semester as a junior. I am also an FAA Licensed Pilot, and on my way to fulfilling my dream to become an astronaut or to be involved with our nation’s space program in a very critical way. While I will use my own words to espouse the virtues of Calculus to STEM, I did want to include the following quote from Wei Zhang, a renowned figure in the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) industry in Canada: “The Importance of Calculus in Aerospace Engineering Aerospace engineers rely on calculus to model and solve problems that involve change and motion. Fundamental principles such as derivatives and integrals allow engineers to predict how various forces affect an aircraft or spacecraft. For instance, calculus is used to calculate trajectories, optimize performance through analytical models, and understand how materials behave under different conditions. This analytical framework is crucial for ensuring safety and efficiency in engineering designs.” I’ve learned that Calculus is fundamental to developing the problem-solving skills key to STEM. It is a building block of everything I will be doing as an Aerospace Engineer, because it aids in critical thinking, analysis of complex problems, and how to find logical solutions related to aircraft or spacecraft situational needs. Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors are part of my everyday classes such as Aircraft Dynamics and Orbital Mechanics/Attitude Dynamics and Controls. I also solve differential equations in these classes. My first experience with Calculus was in high school. That year, I actually won the Department Award for Mathematics. It was an honor to win an award for something that I not only worked so hard in, but brought me such joy. I liked that nothing was open to interpretation; you were either right or wrong. Calculus will be part of my future for a long time. And for that I am grateful. As of this year, I have a brother who is in college too. My father constantly lets us know this is a huge, though important, financial burden. As such, your scholarship would really help me in my efforts to pay for school. Thank you for considering me for your scholarship. Long live Calculus!

I’m a Black and Native American woman with family roots in the Philadelphia area as well as the Rapahannock and Nanticoke tribes of the Mid-Atlantic. My father is white and I identify simply as a mixed race girl. More relevant to my academic history at CU Boulder, I am presently an Aerospace Engineering junior currently maintaining a 3.55 GPA at CU. I made the Dean’s list this past semester as well. I was admitted to the school in the fall of 2022 as an Aerospace Engineering major and I have since added two minors – Space and Material Science. I’m also an FAA licensed pilot and on my way to fulfilling my dream to become an astronaut or to be involved with our nation’s space program in a very critical way. I’m in the minority in almost every way at CU, but I love it! So far, I’ve joined Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics (WOAA) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE), plus National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Through these organizations, I’m making vital connections with other people who have similar interests and backgrounds at our nationally renowned Aerospace Engineering school. But I want to do more. During high school I logged over 500 volunteer hours, helping women and children in need, homeless families, teaching animal care and farming techniques to children and providing support to soup kitchens. I was able to accomplish this by being a part of a number of organizations and was proud to ultimately achieve a leadership role as I continued a personal commitment to helping others get a chance to thrive, regardless of present or past circumstances. While I enjoy being a part of WOAA and SWE, I wish I saw more BIPOC female students across campus and in my Engineering classes. I want CU to increase its reach to underserved communities and to be top-of-mind to women and BIPOC groups alike who would not have considered it otherwise. I want to be a part of this effort, through regional and national college fairs, volunteering at local public schools and leading by example so that young minds know there's a place for them at CU – especially in Engineering. CU has an opportunity to create a more diverse student body across majors and I’d be happy to help. I grew up in Los Angeles and then Connecticut as one of the few mixed race students in predominantly White towns and schools. Luckily, my parents enrolled me in Jack and Jill of America – a civic organization founded to advance the learning and achievements of Black children, and to turn them into future leaders. Through Jack & Jill, I befriended people with similar backgrounds and together we learned Black history, engaged in philanthropic, educational and social activities and thrived. Eventually, I stepped into a leadership role as the President of my Jack & Jill chapter and won the Distinguished Teen award. By representing CU, I can show and tell high schoolers not to be afraid of the low percentage of Black students and the small numbers of female Aerospace Engineers; I've found a way to connect with these groups and it's been one of the most beneficial decisions I’ve made thus far at CU. I'd also make young students aware of the many other benefits CU offers. It’s a step in the right direction, so one day people like me won't be such a minority. Ultimately, I want to help others, but also need to get scholarships whenever possible. So, thank you in advance for any support your scholarship may be able to provide me!

I’m a Black and Native American woman with family roots in the Philadelphia area as well as the Rapahannock and Nanticoke tribes of the Mid-Atlantic. My father is white and I identify simply as a mixed race girl. More relevant to my academic history at CU Boulder, I am presently an Aerospace Engineering junior currently maintaining a 3.55 GPA at CU. I made the Dean’s list this past semester as well. I was admitted to the school in the fall of 2022 as an Aerospace Engineering major and I have since added two minors – Space and Material Science. I’m also an FAA licensed pilot and on my way to fulfilling my dream to become an astronaut or to be involved with our nation’s space program in a very critical way. I’m in the minority in almost every way at CU, but I love it! So far, I’ve joined Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics (WOAA) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE), plus National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Through these organizations, I’m making vital connections with other people who have similar interests and backgrounds at our nationally renowned Aerospace Engineering school. But I want to do more. During high school I logged over 500 volunteer hours, helping women and children in need, homeless families, teaching animal care and farming techniques to children and providing support to soup kitchens. I was able to accomplish this by being a part of a number of organizations and was proud to ultimately achieve a leadership role as I continued a personal commitment to helping others get a chance to thrive, regardless of present or past circumstances. While I enjoy being a part of WOAA and SWE, I wish I saw more BIPOC female students across campus and in my Engineering classes. I want CU to increase its reach to underserved communities and to be top-of-mind to women and BIPOC groups alike who would not have considered it otherwise. I want to be a part of this effort, through regional and national college fairs, volunteering at local public schools and leading by example so that young minds know there's a place for them at CU – especially in Engineering. CU has an opportunity to create a more diverse student body across majors and I’d be happy to help. I grew up in Los Angeles and then Connecticut as one of the few mixed race students in predominantly White towns and schools. Luckily, my parents enrolled me in Jack and Jill of America – a civic organization founded to advance the learning and achievements of Black children 2-18 years old, and to turn them into future leaders. Through Jack & Jill, I befriended people with similar backgrounds and together we learned Black history, engaged in philanthropic, educational and social activities and thrived. Eventually, I stepped into a leadership role as the President of my Jack & Jill chapter and won the Distinguished Teen award. By one day representing CU at college fairs, I can show and tell high schoolers not to be afraid of the low percentage of Black students and the small numbers of female Aerospace Engineers; I've found a way to connect with these groups and it's been one of the most beneficial decisions I’ve made thus far at CU. I'd also make young students aware of the many other benefits CU offers. It's a step towards increasing awareness and enrollment of female and BIPOC students so one day people like me won't be such a minority. Thank you in advance for any support your scholarship may be able to provide me!

When I was 8 years old I watched the Space Shuttle Endeavor roll through the streets of Los Angeles on its way to be permanently sited at the California Science Center. As a young child I spent some time touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA - a world renowned center for the manufacture of deep space spacecraft. I was also fortunate to be able to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, AL in my teen years. As a high school senior, I made my first solo flight and ultimately secured my FAA private pilot’s license. Those experiences were no coincidence. At some point, along the way, I knew I wanted to become an astronaut. It may sound unrealistic, or against all odds, but it will remain my goal until it’s proven I can’t do it. Every day, the demand for astronauts grows with the dawn of commercial space travel. I know that CU is the place to make it happen - we’ve graduated 19 astronauts over the years and I plan on being the 20th at our great University! I was admitted to CU as an Aerospace Engineering candidate and have since added a Space Minor and Materials Science Minor. I’ve found this line of study to be well matched to my personal strengths as a student and it is extremely rigorous. Unfortunately, I have also seen many of my fellow AE candidates drop the major in my nearly three years here now. I am proud, especially as a young black woman, that I’ve been able to stick with it and even hold on to a 3.55 GPA. The AE major at CU has not disappointed. I’ve already learned aspects of space vehicle design as well as space flight experimentation. As a Freshman I was part of a team to launch experiments aboard a high altitude balloon, and as a Sophomore I built and tested aircraft designs in wind tunnels at the Pilot Lab. Now as a junior, I have joined the CERES research team which aims to remove CO2 on long duration space flights using ionic liquid. CU Boulder has invested a tremendous amount in making sure that students like myself get the best education and experience possible to successfully achieve our Aerospace career goals. I do not take that for granted. I work hard every day to seize this great opportunity and make it all the way, “against all odds”. Ultimately, I want to lead by example, but also to directly impact the dreams of young Black women like me so they too, can see the possibilities STEM brings this world and beyond. Thank you for considering me for your scholarship. It would really help!

Junior year of high school, I switched from my town’s public school to my ideal private school and had a wildly different experience. Growing up, my schools had always taught us that asking questions meant you weren’t smart enough to be in an advanced class. So, I learned to struggle in silence. At my new school, I went about the same routine -- struggling in silence. This time it was different; I had teachers constantly telling me that they cared about my learning and wanted me to ask for help whenever I needed it. This was hard for me at first. But soon I realized that showing my engagement was a way to prove that I not only wanted to learn, but that I respected their role as teachers. Ultimately, my grades not only improved, but my enjoyment of each class and my confidence continued to rise. I even won the Departmental Math Award in Calculus after a former teacher at my old school had told me not to “bother asking for help because I wasn’t going to understand any better.” The skill of asking for help has already been beneficial for me at CU Boulder and I know it will be a great skill the rest of my life. At the beginning of my first semester in college, I was really struggling in APPM Calculus 1 because it turned out I didn’t have the same fundamental Trigonometry background that most of my peers had. I wanted to drop down to a lower math level, but I knew that it would probably mean I’d need to do summer school or a fifth year. I stayed in APPM Calculus 1 but started to do most of my homework with Teacher’s Assistants during Office Hours. That way, if I had a question, I could instantly get an answer. To my surprise, I quickly started filling the gaps of my trig knowledge a little more each day. It turned out, the TAs loved having someone to help and they were pleased I was so eager to learn. My first exam, I got an 84 when the test average was a 70. I was so proud of myself and my ability to ask for help when I needed it. This wasn’t something I ever thought I’d be capable of so I’m excited for how far I’ve come. It’s funny, my mom always said that being smart doesn’t always mean you do well at first; it just means if you work hard you are more likely to ultimately succeed. Asking for help is the first step. Your scholarship will help me continue my studies in Aerospace Engineering. Please consider me so I can help the next generation.

I want to make a difference in my community, the world and ultimately space. Your scholarship would help me continue my studies as an Aerospace Engineer at CU Boulder. I am surviving this very rigorous discipline and I’ve been able to maintain a 3.55 GPA. I also made Dean's List this past semester. Alongside my studies, I’ve been able to achieve my FAA pilot’s license. Believe it or not, between my flight experience and my Aerospace Engineering education at CU, I am trying to become an astronaut. If I don’t fulfill that dream (although I know I will), a career in Aerospace will not be a bad “fall”. There are very few AEs at CU Boulder that identify as Black women. I’ve noticed there are even less as we proceed through the academic year. The requirements of the major make it difficult to stick with it. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one like me in my classes! While I enjoy being a part of NSBE, I wish I saw other Black students across campus and in my classes. CU Boulder is a great school and I love it but I wish other Black students knew about it and had access to the great opportunities that are here. Given my desire to pursue an AE degree, CU Boulder’s leadership in this area was a good fit. However, the University has an opportunity to create a more diverse student body across majors and I would be happy to help. I grew up in Los Angeles and then Connecticut as one of the few Black students in predominantly White towns and schools. Luckily, my parents enrolled me in Jack and Jill of America – a civic organization founded to advance the learning and achievements of Black children 2-18 years old, and to turn them into future leaders. Through Jack & Jill, I befriended people with similar backgrounds and together we learned Black history, engaged in philanthropic, educational and social activities and thrived. Eventually, I stepped into a leadership role as the President of my Jack & Jill chapter and won the Distinguished Teen award. I know many Black students may shy away from looking at CU Boulder since just 2.6% of us are Black. This makes me want to reach out and make a difference by helping to recruit more of us. I want to represent CU Boulder at Jack & Jill regional and national college fairs so I can show and tell high schoolers about our building community. I would also make them aware of ASA, BSA, and the other various Black organizations available. It may seem like a small act, but I know it’s a step in the right direction towards increasing awareness of our community. I found a way to connect with the Black community at CU Boulder by joining NSBE and it has been one of the most beneficial decisions I’ve made in my time here. Thank you in advance for any support your scholarship may be able to provide me!