Growing up in foster care shaped nearly every part of who I am today. It taught me resilience early, but it also introduced instability at a time when consistency matters most. Frequent moves, changing schools, and the absence of a reliable support system made it difficult to focus on long-term goals. While many of my peers had parents guiding them through academics, finances, and career decisions, I often had to navigate those systems alone, learning through trial, error, and determination. One of the greatest challenges I encountered while pursuing my education was the lack of continuity. Each transition meant adjusting to new expectations, new environments, and new people, often while carrying the emotional weight of uncertainty. Financial insecurity was another persistent obstacle. Without a family safety net, every educational decision carried higher risk. Tuition, books, testing fees, and basic living expenses were not inconveniences—they were barriers that required careful planning, extra work hours, and sacrifices that sometimes slowed my progress. There were moments when continuing my education felt overwhelming, not because of lack of ability, but because of limited resources and support. Despite these challenges, education became my anchor. It represented stability, self-determination, and a way forward that was entirely within my control. I learned to advocate for myself, seek mentorship, and remain disciplined even when circumstances were difficult. Those skills carried me through a demanding nursing career and now through flight training, where precision, accountability, and resilience are essential. My experiences in foster care did not discourage me from pursuing ambitious goals; they strengthened my resolve to build a future defined by purpose rather than circumstance. Furthering my education is essential to achieving my long-term goals in aviation and service. I am pursuing advanced flight training with the goal of becoming a professional pilot and certified flight instructor, allowing me to serve others through safe, ethical aviation while mentoring those who may not see themselves represented in this field. Education gives me not only technical knowledge, but credibility, opportunity, and the ability to give back in meaningful ways. It allows me to transform lived hardship into leadership, empathy, and responsibility. For me, education is more than a credential—it is a pathway to stability, service, and impact. It enables me to break cycles, to model perseverance for others from foster care or nontraditional backgrounds, and to contribute positively to communities that depend on trust and competence. By continuing my education, I am investing not only in my own future, but in my capacity to uplift others and prove that where you begin does not have to determine how far you go.

Aviation has profoundly shaped my life by giving me direction, purpose, and a deeper sense of service. Before discovering aviation, I built a meaningful career in nursing, where I learned to make critical decisions under pressure, care deeply for others, and remain composed in urgent situations. While I found nursing rewarding, I realized that a part of me longed for a challenge that blended technical complexity with human-centered responsibility. Flying became that calling—a field where ambition, precision, and ethical judgment are paramount. From my very first lesson, aviation taught me that excellence requires more than passion—it demands preparation, accountability, and resilience. The responsibility of every decision in flight, big or small, has strengthened my focus and sharpened my analytical thinking. In nursing, I cared for patients in dynamic circumstances; in aviation, I translate that same urgency and attentiveness into every takeoff, maneuver, and landing. Combining these disciplines has not only made me a safer pilot, but a more thoughtful and adaptable professional. My ambition in aviation is centered on both personal mastery and community impact. I am currently pursuing my Commercial Pilot Certificate and working toward my Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating because I want to do more than fly—I want to teach, mentor, and help others achieve their aviation dreams. Many aspiring pilots are hindered not by lack of passion, but by the significant financial barriers that accompany flight training. I strive to continue the tradition of mentorship and instruction, helping students navigate challenges and achieve their goals safely and confidently. The drive to succeed in aviation has not been without challenges. I grew up in a large family raised by a single mother, where financial hardship was a constant reality and higher education often felt beyond reach. Without institutional support or external guidance, I learned self-reliance, responsibility, and perseverance at a young age. Returning to school later in life to pursue aviation meant balancing training with work, family responsibilities, rent, and the everyday costs of living—often while funding my training through personal income and loans. These experiences made me resourceful and disciplined, and they strengthened my commitment to achieving my goals no matter the obstacles. Aviation has impacted my life beyond technical skills; it has inspired a deeper sense of purpose and leadership. In the cockpit and in the classroom, leadership means being prepared, communicating clearly, and prioritizing safety above all else. It means modeling the values of service, professionalism, and mentorship. I am committed to advancing safety, accessibility, and professionalism in aviation and to helping others reach skies they once thought were out of reach.

I want to be at the forefront of aeronautics because aviation sits at the intersection of technology, human decision-making, and public trust. Few fields demand such precision while evolving so rapidly. Advancements in automation, avionics, safety systems, and training methodologies are reshaping how pilots interact with aircraft, airspace, and one another. I want to be part of that evolution—not merely as an end user of technology, but as a professional who understands it deeply, teaches it responsibly, and ensures innovation enhances safety rather than replaces sound judgment. Being at the forefront of aeronautics means advocating for progress that is thoughtful, human-centered, and grounded in real operational experience. My long-term goal is to fly professionally while giving back to the aviation community through instruction, mentorship, and advocacy for accessible, high-quality flight training. As I pursue my Commercial Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating, I am motivated by the belief that the future of aviation depends not only on better aircraft, but on better-prepared pilots. Innovation is not limited to hardware; it also includes how we train, communicate risk, and cultivate professionalism in the next generation. I want to help shape that future from both the cockpit and the classroom. My path to aviation has been shaped by significant personal and educational obstacles. I grew up in a large family raised by a single mother, where financial hardship was a constant reality and higher education often felt out of reach. With little external support or guidance, I learned self-reliance, responsibility, and perseverance early in life. These circumstances required me to prioritize work, contribute to my household, and delay educational opportunities while building stability. Returning to school and committing to aviation later in life was not easy, but it was a deliberate and purposeful decision. Balancing flight training with work, family responsibilities, and academics has required discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. Progress has not always been linear, as training is influenced by weather delays, scheduling limitations, and financial constraints. Rather than viewing obstacles as reasons to stop, I used them as opportunities to refine my study habits, seek mentorship, and strengthen the mental toughness aviation demands. One of the greatest challenges I have overcome is managing time and pressure in a demanding training environment. Flight training leaves little room for error, and success requires meticulous preparation and accountability. I developed structured routines, upheld high personal standards, and learned to advocate for my own learning. These experiences have shaped me into a deliberate, safety-oriented pilot who values professionalism and continuous improvement. Financial challenges remain the most significant barrier to achieving my career goals. Flight training is costly, with expenses rising due to fuel, aircraft maintenance, insurance, and instruction. Unlike traditional academic programs, aviation education requires substantial upfront investment while limiting the ability to work full-time. I fund my training through a combination of personal income, loans, and scholarships while managing existing financial obligations. Each additional rating represents not only progress, but a major financial commitment. Despite these challenges, I remain fully committed to this path. Having grown up without financial security or institutional support, I do not take opportunity lightly. I view financial hardship not as a limitation, but as a responsibility—to be strategic, persistent, and intentional with every resource entrusted to me. Scholarship support would not simply help me continue my training; it would represent an investment in a pilot who understands adversity, values access to education, and is committed to advancing aviation safely, responsibly, and inclusively.

The courage to go back to school came from a combination of passion, purpose, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue a dream. After building a foundation in my previous career, I realized that while I had achieved success, I still felt a calling to aviation—something that combined technical skill, discipline, and service in a way that resonated deeply with me. The idea of returning to school was intimidating at first. It meant stepping back into a learning environment, facing new challenges, and pushing myself outside of the comfort zone I had built over years of professional experience. Yet, I recognized that growth and transformation rarely come without some discomfort. What gave me confidence was a clear vision of the person I wanted to become: a skilled, responsible pilot and future flight instructor who could give back to the aviation community and serve others through programs like Angel Flights. I reminded myself that every accomplished pilot started as a student, facing uncertainty, self-doubt, and steep learning curves. Progress comes one step at a time, one lesson at a time, and one flight at a time. By focusing on consistent effort, perseverance, and a commitment to learning, I could transform fear into action and uncertainty into opportunity. Mentorship and support also played a critical role in building my courage. Instructors, colleagues, and my family encouraged me to trust my abilities, celebrate small victories, and maintain perspective during setbacks. Their guidance reinforced the idea that going back to school was not just about acquiring knowledge, but about embracing a mindset of growth, resilience, and purpose. Ultimately, my courage came from knowing that pursuing this path wasn’t just about personal fulfillment—it was about creating opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. Aviation is a unique field that combines skill, responsibility, and service. By completing my education, earning my Commercial Pilot Certificate, and eventually becoming a Certified Flight Instructor, I can contribute meaningfully to the community through teaching, mentorship, and Angel Flight missions. Every lesson learned, every challenge overcome, and every flight completed reinforces that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to take action despite it. Returning to school gave me the tools to turn passion into purpose, and it reaffirmed my belief that with persistence, focus, and heart, it’s never too late to pursue a dream—and make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

I will continue Steve’s mission by using my education, aviation skills, and passion for service to create meaningful health improvements through small, intentional actions—especially through Angel Flights. My background in healthcare showed me that even minor obstacles can have a major impact on a patient’s health. Transportation, for example, is often an overlooked barrier; missing a single appointment or treatment can delay care, increase stress, and negatively affect outcomes. Angel Flights allow me to remove that barrier, giving patients the ability to focus on their health rather than logistics. Each flight may seem like a small act, but it has the power to change lives, embodying the very principle that Steve championed: small, consistent actions can produce lasting and meaningful results. My aviation journey made this mission deeply personal. I remember my first solo cross-country flight vividly—navigating unfamiliar airspace, managing the aircraft entirely on my own, and feeling the weight of responsibility for every decision. Amid the excitement, I realized that flying isn’t just about skill or technical knowledge; it’s about service, precision, and trust. That moment crystallized for me that aviation could be more than a career—it could be a way to help others in very real, tangible ways. It inspired me to combine my healthcare experience with my love of flying to serve patients who face health challenges and need reliable transportation to access care. That first flight became the spark for my commitment to Angel Flights and to mentoring others in aviation, ensuring they, too, can use their skills to make a difference. Aviation has transformed my perspective on service. The discipline, precision, and attention to detail required in flying naturally translate into meaningful action in other areas of life, including health and wellness. Ensuring a safe flight demands preparation, situational awareness, and the ability to anticipate and manage risks. Similarly, supporting patients’ access to healthcare—through transportation, guidance, or mentorship—requires thoughtful planning, reliability, and compassion. By integrating these principles into my flying and volunteer work, I can provide not just transportation, but reassurance and support during stressful times, helping patients and families feel cared for and valued. As I progress toward my Commercial Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor rating, I plan to dedicate significant time to Angel Flight missions and other charitable aviation programs. I also want to mentor future pilots, encouraging them to see aviation not only as a career, but as a tool for service. Teaching others to fly safely and responsibly creates a ripple effect: more trained pilots means more opportunities to support communities in need, ensuring that more patients can access care through safe, reliable flights. Through each flight, each lesson, and each act of service, I aim to honor Steve’s mission by showing that small, intentional actions—whether in aviation or healthcare—can transform lives. The combination of my aviation path and healthcare experience allows me to make a meaningful impact, proving that even small changes can create lasting improvements in health, safety, and well-being.

I am a dedicated and motivated pilot currently pursuing my Commercial Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating, with the long-term goal of flying professionally while giving back to the aviation community that has played a pivotal role in my development. My path to aviation has been driven by a deep passion for learning, discipline, and service. After building a strong foundation in another demanding career, I felt a clear and deliberate calling to aviation—one that uniquely combines technical skill, lifelong learning, and the responsibility of safely serving others. Aviation represents freedom, precision, and opportunity. From my earliest training flights, I recognized that this field aligned with both my strengths and my sense of purpose. Flight training has challenged me to think critically, manage risk, and remain disciplined under pressure, reinforcing my commitment to professionalism and safety. Each milestone I achieve strengthens my resolve to continue advancing despite the significant financial and personal sacrifices required. The cost of advanced flight training presents one of the greatest obstacles in pursuing a professional aviation career. Flight hours, aircraft rental, instructor fees, written exams, and checkride expenses add up quickly, often placing aviation out of reach for highly motivated candidates. While I have invested extensively in my training and continue to make personal financial sacrifices, the remaining costs of completing my commercial and CFI certifications represent a substantial financial burden. Balancing training expenses with everyday living costs requires careful planning and determination, and financial support is critical to maintaining steady progress toward my goals. This scholarship would play a vital role in helping bridge the financial gap required to complete my training. By reducing the cost of flight hours, instruction, and checkride preparation, this support would allow me to remain focused on training proficiency, safety, and instructional excellence rather than financial limitations. Access to this assistance would directly impact my ability to complete training efficiently and on schedule. As a woman in aviation, I am particularly motivated to succeed and to serve as a visible example for others who may not see themselves traditionally represented in the cockpit. I intend to use my CFI certification to mentor and train future pilots, fostering confidence, inclusivity, and high standards within the aviation community. Becoming a flight instructor will allow me to build experience while simultaneously giving back through education and mentorship. Ultimately, my goal is to build a sustainable and meaningful career in aviation grounded in professionalism, safety, and service. This scholarship would not only help make my goals attainable but would also enable me to contribute positively to the future of aviation by training and inspiring the next generation of pilots. Your investment in my training would have a lasting impact that extends far beyond my individual success.