When I walked into my first period French I class as an eighth grader amongst high schoolers, I was terrified. It is a universal experience to be awkward and scared in middle school; therefore, I was no exception to this rule of gawkiness. However, as soon as I stepped into my French class on that first day, my teacher, Ms. Childs, greeted me with a warm and inviting smile that immediately made me feel at ease. Instantly, Ms. Childs and I created a relationship. I listened intently to her stories about her travels, cats, and kids on the first day of school, and I was so excited to return to French class the following day. As the school year went on, I learned more and more about global culture, language, and interactions than I thought was possible. Right before Spring Break on March 6, 2020, I remember talking to Ms. Childs at school being so ecstatic for what the rest of the year would hold. However, suddenly, we were all confined to our houses for months, wearing masks everywhere we went and not being able to attend school. Even through the COVID madness and online school, Ms. Childs greeted us on Microsoft Teams each morning with a smile and a fun story to brighten our days. She would bring her kids on screen to greet us, or she would show us her cats. We would play games during class to take our minds off of all of the craziness that was going on around the world. After COVID began to slow down and life went back to normal, I was still taking French with Ms. Childs. Year after year, I saw Ms. Childs each day in French class, and our relationship deepened. As I have matured throughout high school, Ms. Childs has become not only my French teacher but also a trusted and reliable friend. I am able to confide in her and talk to her about my life outside of the classroom. She has given me so much wisdom that I am so grateful for. Ms. Childs has given me a love for not only French but for the world. She has taught me to care deeply about all people, no matter their race, background, ethnicity, nationality, or circumstances. I have learned so much about cultural awareness from Ms. Childs through her own experiences and her stories of travel. I have learned to have a compassionate attitude toward the people of this world. Without Ms. Childs, I would not be the person that I am today. She has helped to shape and mold me into a better and more caring friend, daughter, sister, and person overall.

Although there have been many incredible technological inventions in the last ten years, one invention stands out in particular. My favorite tech invention in the last ten years is SpaceX's Falcon 9, also known as the first reusable rocket. This rocket was a breakthrough in aerospace engineering as it was the first rocket to successfully land back on Earth. Before Falcon 9, rockets would launch into space, and the engine compartment would break off and re-enter the atmosphere because space technology was not advanced enough to allow a rocket to land again. However, with the invention of Falcon 9, aerospace history was changed. The reusability of Falcon 9 has two major advantages. Falcon 9 reduces costs because all of its most expensive parts, like the engine compartment, are reusable. Furthermore, Falcon 9 is also more sustainable for the environment. Because it is not breaking apart and sending non-biodegradable materials back to earth, it is, therefore, healthier for the environment. Falcon 9 has already had 175 landings and 152 re-flights since 2015. Falcon 9 has opened the door for more innovations in aerospace technology. What I admire most about the creation of Falcon 9 is that nobody thought creating a reusable rocket was possible. I believe that there is a parallel between Falcon 9 and women in STEM. It took hard work and dedication to launch Falcon 9 successfully. Falcon 9 even failed twice before a successful launch took place. Similarly, as a woman entering the STEM field, it will take hard work and dedication to be highly successful in a male-dominated field. It will require perseverance even in the toughest circumstances. I might even fail a few times, but quitting is not an option. I hope to make many changes in the world and the STEM field. I aspire to change the norms in a male-dominated field. I want everyone-man or woman-to believe that they can make a difference in STEM. By pursuing a career in aviation/aerospace engineering, I want to make many breakthroughs. I want to be able to engineer new ideas in aerospace and also be able to test out these ideas in flying. I aspire to have a technological breakthrough as massive as the reusable rocket. I do not just want to be another engineer or a regular person; I want to change the world through engineering and advancing technology. Through my studies in STEM, I want to advance technology and make the world better while doing it.

Ever since I was a kid, I have been interested in flying. My grandfather, who was a naval aviator and a FedEx pilot, took me to the Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Museum when I was around seven years old. He showed me planes from World Wars I and II, different fighter jets, and other aircraft. From that day on, I knew that I wanted to be a pilot. I intend to attend a University that has an aviation/aerospace program. I believe that to be the best pilot I can be, I need to spend my college career learning as much as I can about the science behind aviation. I have already begun to learn about aviation and aerospace through an aerospace engineering class that I am taking right now in high school. While studying in college, I intend to get all the necessary certifications that I will need to become a pilot, then I plan on becoming a certified flight instructor. Not only do I want to learn how to fly, but I also want to be the best teacher possible, so others can learn how to fly. I believe that anyone who puts their mind to it can be a successful pilot. I want to foster knowledge and gratitude for aviation in anyone willing to obtain it. Upon graduating from college, I intend to get a job at a smaller airline company to acquire the necessary amount of hours. After I have all of my certifications and hours, it is my dream to work at a company like Delta or FedEx. My grandfather-and also my role model-worked at FedEx for around thirty years. My grandfather always said about his job at FedEx, "I never felt like I was going to work a day in my life." This quote has inspired me so much in my aviation journey. I do not want to take for granted just how amazing aviation is. Many people are not satisfied with their work because it is boring and repetitive. However, being a pilot is just the opposite. Every day is a new adventure, and work can even be fun. As a pilot, I aspire to make a breakthrough in aviation by looking a flying not just as a task or a necessity, but as a wonder that few people get to experience. As a female in a male-dominated field, I want to break barriers and help others achieve their dreams.