I still remember lying down along the edge of an inflatable planetarium, starry-eyed as two guest astronomers-one young, one older-shared the stories of constellations and explained the importance of the night sky across cultures and time. I was enthralled hearing the description of a star and what a galaxy is. Following the experience, every visit to the library was a quest for discovery. The first book I read was A True Book: Stars by Ker Than, which introduced concepts of stellar mechanics. Near the end of the book, it discussed two chaotic ends stars can undergo as supernovae or black holes. I felt encapsulated looking at the illustrations of black holes. Unknowingly to me as a child, those illustrations caused a domino effect on my sole motivation to pursue astrophysics. In 2013, a school field trip to Sacramento State years later helped align my eager motivation through higher education when my tour group visited the Tschannen Science Complex. While walking through the halls, I quickly glanced into a lecture room and saw an illustration of a black hole in great detail. I felt the same innate curiosity I felt in elementary school. Following the field trip, my teacher created an assignment where I had to envision my future educational and career goals. Through the assignment, I learned about the research on black holes conducted at NASA's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory; to work at LIGO as an astrophysicist requires a doctoral-level degree. Upon seeing the requirements, I felt I had arrived at the base of an insurmountable mountain. The educational path seemed harrowing. I was struggling with Pre-Algebra and saw that it takes years of schooling. My thoughts of becoming an astrophysicist were bleak. I turned to my dad, conflicted about whether I could succeed. He offered the perspective I needed at twelve, wisdom I didn't comprehend but lingered in my mind, "Do you think astrophysicists and astronomers were born with the knowledge they have now? You'd be ridiculous to think that. The kind of person you want to be dedicates their lives to it. It is what they live for." A decade later, I realized how much those words would shape my mindset. Fueled by my childhood idiosyncrasies and my father's encouragement, I completed an Associate Degree in Physics and am now finishing an Associate Degree in Mathematics at American River College. While pursuing my educational dreams, I earned a spot in NASA's Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program. The program provided insight into NASA's Science Mission Directorates and how to handle real-world challenges by prioritizing objectives and making trade-offs within simulation limits. At the program's end, the director showed us the NASA Gateway program, a hub of official NASA internships. From there, the next steps in my journey became apparent: to continue my studies in astrophysics at San Francisco State University and prepare for a future in cutting-edge research. In ten years, I see myself working at the Caltech LIGO Laboratory in a Data Analysis Postdoc position, applying my knowledge of Gravitational Physics and learning experimental data analysis techniques on gravitational waves. A decade later, I will inspire the youth like Ker Than did for me by publishing children's books on various concepts within astronomy. In ten years, I will have a history of giving back to American River College by presenting valuable insights into the rigorous field of physics and astrophysics to ignite innovation and cultivate curiosity.

I am a dependent of my dad, who served twenty-two years in the Air Force. As the middle child between an older brother and a younger sister, I spent the last seven and a half years of my dad's service at Feltwell Elementary School on Feltwell Air Force Base. It was there, during a school outreach event featuring two visiting astronomers and an inflatable planetarium, that my passion for astrophysics ignited. At just seven years old, I was captivated by their discussions about constellations and the cultural significance of planets, fueling my desire to learn more about the universe. After my dad retired, our family moved back to the United States. We initially had no permanent home, but we were fortunate to have a strong support network from our time in England. After two weeks of traveling and staying with military friends and family, we settled in California. The first four months were spent living with my aunt Sandra in Concord, followed by another four months with my aunt Candy in Sacramento. The biggest challenge came when we finally found a place to call home. My parents struggled to afford living in Sacramento, prompting me to help my dad with his side jobs to alleviate financial stress. I worked evenings and weekends, prioritizing family needs over homework. My parents eventually noticed my focus on work and had a heart-to-heart conversation about the importance of education. They recognized my passion for astrophysics, and their encouragement helped me refocus on my studies. By ninth grade, I no longer had to worry about paying utility bills, thanks to their support and guidance. As an undergraduate, I give back to my community by volunteering as a math and physics tutor at my old high school. I remember the difficulties my peers and I faced in a self-learning environment, so I strive to help students not only with their coursework but also by teaching good study habits, such as time management and prioritization. Once I obtain my Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics, I plan to return to American River College, where I began my higher education. During my time there, I noticed a lack of guest speakers discussing astrophysics and physics topics. I aspire to be the speaker I once wished for, covering upper-division and graduate-level courses, as well as offering insights on securing internships in the field. My journey has been shaped by challenges, support from my family, and an unwavering passion for astrophysics. I am committed to using my experiences to help others and inspire the next generation of scientists. The photo I’ve included is of American River College’s STEM building. The STEM center is important to me because it is where I began my pursuit of astrophysical knowledge and built professional relationships with my professors and peers. Through all my lectures at the STEM center, I’ve remodeled my understanding of mathematics and have come to see it as a set of tools curated for real-world applications.