I am a Junior at UT-Austin where I study aerospace engineering, a very complex field that has begun to transform rapidly in recent years. There is so much existing knowledge for me to learn and even more to discover as the field continues to make progress. From space junk removal to lunar explorations, the space frontiers are expanding in all directions, and I am really excited to be a part of the effort to advance human knowledge. I am also considering the possibility of training to become an astronaut. Since middle school, when my science teacher inspired me with her passion for physics and space, I have wondered what it would feel like to see Earth from orbit, traveling in space and time. This is a rare and profound experience that only a few lucky people have been privileged to witness, and I hope to deserve that honor. It is my belief that if more people were able to see our planet as it spins in the enormity of space, then more of us would realize how beautiful and fragile our world is and how incredibly lucky we all are to be alive. I hope that as space travel becomes more accessible in the future, it will create a new generation of big-picture thinkers who will change the world for the better. If my efforts as an aerospace engineer designing more affordable and safe rockets help make that happen, I will consider that the mark of a successful career. I also plan to support and encourage other young people who I will work with on the same teams, or those whom I mentor as I advance in my career. Space missions are incredibly costly and difficult endeavors that can be jeopardized by team infighting or bad communication. I would love to be in the position of bringing more enthusiastic young people into aerospace industry and helping them push the limits of what is possible. Aerospace engineering is not an easy field to master. I had my doubts going into it, as math was not something that came naturally to me, and engineering is practically built on math. At the same time, I was inspired by my parents, both of whom were first-generation immigrants who came to the US in their 20s and had to learn English as a second language. They are still working hard every day to support me and my siblings. I hoped that with enough dedication and focus I could make my dream come true. Now that I have a little over a year left before graduation, I know I was right to challenge myself. I can't wait to see what the future brings! Thank you for your support of young people like me and allowing us to achieve our dreams.

My name is Eric. I am a Junior at University of Texas - Austin. I study aerospace engineering, a very complex field that has begun to transform rapidly in recent years. There is so much existing knowledge for me to learn and even more to discover as the field continues to make progress. From space junk removal to lunar explorations, the space frontiers are expanding in all directions, and I am really excited to be a part of the effort to advance human knowledge. Last summer I was lucky to be offered an opportunity to work on research involving autonomous vehicles. This is a very important area of study for aerospace industry, as it hopes to build and train such vehicles to work in space, allowing humans to monitor their progress from Earth. These days, a multitude of skills and exposure to many domains of knowledge are not just expected but required from an aspiring aerospace engineer. Once I graduate, I am considering the possibility of training to become an astronaut. Since middle school, when my science teacher inspired me with her passion for physics and space, I have wondered what it would feel like to see Earth from orbit, traveling in space and time. This is a rare and profound experience that only a few lucky people have been privileged to witness, and I hope to deserve that honor. It is my belief that if more people were able to see our planet as it spins in the enormity of space, then more of us would realize how beautiful and fragile our world is and how incredibly lucky we all are to be alive. I hope that as space travel becomes more accessible in the future, it will create a new generation of big-picture thinkers who will change the world for the better. If my efforts as an aerospace engineer designing more affordable, environmentally friendly and safe space vehicles help make that happen, I will consider that the mark of a successful career. I also plan to support and encourage other young people who I will work with on the same teams, or those who I mentor as I advance in my career. Space missions are incredibly costly and difficult endeavors that can be jeopardized by team infighting or bad communication. I would love to be in the position of supporting enthusiastic young people in aerospace industry and helping them push the limits of what is possible.

I study aerospace engineering, a very complex field that has begun to transform rapidly in recent years. There is so much existing knowledge for me to learn and even more to discover as the field continues to make progress. From space junk removal to lunar explorations, the space frontiers are expanding in all directions, and I am really excited to be a part of the effort to advance human knowledge. I am also considering the possibility of training to become an astronaut. Since middle school, when my science teacher inspired me with her passion for physics and space, I have wondered what it would feel like to see Earth from orbit, traveling in space and time. This is a rare and profound experience that only a few lucky people have been privileged to witness, and I hope to deserve that honor. It is my belief that if more people were able to see our planet as it spins in the enormity of space, then more of us would realize how beautiful and fragile our world is and how incredibly lucky we all are to be alive. I hope that as space travel becomes more accessible in the future, it will create a new generation of big-picture thinkers who will change the world for the better. If my efforts as an aerospace engineer designing more affordable and safer rockets help make that happen, I will consider that the mark of a successful career. I also plan is to support and encourage other young people who I will work with on the same teams, or those who I mentor as I advance in my career. Space missions are incredibly costly and difficult endeavors that can be jeopardized by team infighting or bad communication. I would love to be in the position to bring more enthusiastic young people to aerospace and help them push the limits of what is possible even further. As someone who comes from a family of immigrants I understand that many people face challenges in their path to career success. My mother had to learn English to get herself through college, and my father struggled for many years to establish his business. Both of them persisted, and they serve as an example to me what dedication and hard work can accomplish. I have learned that an easy path may not be the best choice in the end, while perseverance will pay off eventually. In middle school I had some struggles with math and was not accepted to the Math & Science Academy I dreamed of attending. The rejection stung, but I decided to work even harder to make sure I excel academically. After 4 years of high school, I graduated the 4th from the class of 750. I now feel confident that there is nothing I can't achieve as long as I continue to pursue my dreams. Thank you for your support of young people like me!

As a child of immigrants from the Philippines and the former Soviet Union, and someone who had grown up in the most diverse city in the United States, I have been exposed to a variety of cultures, religions, languages and opinions from the people in my family and my community. I believe in creating a similarly enriching environment in the groups that I lead. During my senior year of high school, I was a prominent member in its marching band community as the clarinet section leader. My roster was very diverse, allowing me to teach kids who came from all over the world. Although we were all friends who respected each other’s identities, I believe cultural diversity goes beyond simply having a variety of skin tones. I sought to promote the sharing of ideas and opinions, as well. During breaks in our marching practice, I’d often ask one of the members their thoughts on a certain technique or exercise we did. In scenarios with more downtime, I liked to bring up topics in the news that we’d all casually discuss. Although this mostly appeared as fun small-talk, it helped everyone to know each other very well, extending further than the generic “what’s your favorite color” icebreakers. Being well-acquainted with everyone’s varied ideas and thought processes, we gained the ability to quickly solve the personal and logistic conflicts that inevitably arose in our strenuous hours marching outside. Through this foundation rooted in the cultural diversity of my section-mates, I was able to promote their own development, too. As everyone shared their opinions, it was not often that we had a unanimous consensus on a topic. Through calm reassurance and steady arbitration, I created an environment to acknowledge contrasting opinions in a respectful manner. Influenced by my cultural roots, I worked hard to be able to have a section that could freely and safely express our own ideas while receiving input from our peers. As their section leader, I hope that I instilled skills and values that were not only useful in our small band community, but in our rapidly changing, deeply polarizing, and immensely large society. In conclusion, I would say that what makes me a leader is the ability to be open-minded, genuinely curious about other cultures, inclusive of all my peers and non-judgmental towards others. I truly believe that everyone has something to teach others, and my job as a leader is to bring this out of people I study and work with. When each one of us feels safe, equally appreciated and welcomed to share their ideas, the whole team benefits from the improved performance, high motivation and overall wellbeing of the team members.

I've been fascinated by aerospace since my middle school days when our exceptional science teacher had us work in teams to build and launch the rockets we designed by ourselves. In high school, I encountered physics teachers who pushed us to the limits of our imagination when discussing modern physics issues. Ever since, I could not imagine anything more exciting than making discoveries about space technologies and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge as a future aerospace engineer. i believe that climate change is the ultimate challenge facing our generation. It threatens everyone on our planet, and I believe that all of us should act to reduce its impact on our lives. The effects we have already witnessed are disturbing: from the coastlines disappearing under approaching ocean waves to wildfires devouring California's forests, from heat waves draining the lakes and destroying agriculture, to acidification of our oceans that kills the sea animals. Climate change is caused by the human use of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases when burned and contribute to global warming. To fight climate change, we have to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels and switch to renewable clean energy. Aerospace industry has been contributing to global warming and generating waste in various ways – ranging from air pollution produced by fossil fuels that are used to power rockets to thousands of objects of space debris floating in Earth's orbit. In my career as an aerospace engineer, my goal is to incorporate solutions to these problems into the design of next-generation technology. Learning about renewable energy and nondestructive evaluation will help me merge traditional aerospace engineering approaches with environmental science and green technologies. In my university's Rocket Propulsion lab, we discuss ways of reducing the carbon footprint of jet fuels with alternative fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel. There is also a possibility of using renewable natural gas or hydrogen as jet fuels. Much of the green technology is already available and can be implemented. What is needed is the will on the part of the people to push in the direction of clean tech. I know that my peers at the university agree that climate change is an existential threat to our planet, and as we start our careers, we will advocate for green new technologies to replace carbon-intensive engines and jets. I know I will do my best to make sure my future children do not live in a more dangerous, unpredictable and unsustainable world.

I've been fascinated by aerospace since my middle school days when our exceptional science teacher had us work in teams to build and launch the rockets we designed by ourselves. In high school, I encountered physics teachers who pushed us to the limits of our imagination when discussing modern physics issues. Ever since, I could not imagine anything more exciting than making discoveries about space and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge as a future aerospace engineer. My near future plans are to successfully complete my education. When I think about it though, I am not certain that I can ever stop learning, even after I graduate. Aerospace engineering is a very complex field and it began to transform rapidly in recent years. There is so much existing knowledge for me to learn and even more to discover as the field continues to make progress. From space junk removal to lunar explorations and missions to Mars, the space frontiers are expanding in all directions, and I am really excited to be a part of the effort to advance human knowledge. I am also considering the possibility of training to become an astronaut later on. For a long time, I have wondered what it would feel like to see Earth from orbit - all of it at once, traveling in space and time. This is a rare and profound experience that only a few lucky people have been privileged to witness, and I hope to deserve that honor. It is my belief that if only more people were able to see our planet as it spins in the enormity of space, then more of us would realize how beautiful and fragile our world is and how incredibly lucky we all are to be alive. Maybe then more people would take the time to think about how our actions affect the wider world, the planet and the people living in it. I hope that as space travel becomes more accessible in the future, it will create a new generation of big-picture thinkers who will change the world for the better. If my efforts as an aerospace engineer designing more affordable and safer rockets help make that happen, I will consider that the mark of a successful career. Another important goal for me is to support and encourage other young people who I will work with on the same teams, or those who I mentor as I advance in my career. Space missions are incredibly costly and difficult endeavors that can be jeopardized by team infighting or bad communication. I would also love to be in the position to bring more enthusiastic young people to aerospace and help them push the limits of what is possible even further. As a half-Filipino, I have been exposed to my family members' experience primarily in the medical arena. However, aerospace engineering is a very different field, and I am the only one in my extended family pursuing engineering as a career. Going into it, I had no network to tap into for advice or recommendations. That meant I had to rely entirely on my own efforts to sustain good grades, gain experience through participation in the clubs, and seek opportunities for research and internships. While I work hard to achieve my goals and dreams, the scholarship would allow me to focus more on my studies and gain additional experiences through research activities or travel abroad opportunities.

Climate change threatens everyone on our planet, and I believe that all of us should act to reduce its impact on our lives. The effects we have already witnessed are disturbing: from the coastlines disappearing under approaching ocean waves to wildfires devouring California's forests, from heat waves draining the lakes and destroying agriculture, to acidification of our oceans that kills the sea animals. Most likely we don't even understand fully what our generation, and those that come after us, will have to deal with in the future as a result of climate change. Climate change is caused by the human use of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases when burned and contribute to global warming. To fight climate change, we have to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels and switch to renewable clean energy. Surely, this is an enormous task that requires a lot of investment by countries all over the world. However, we cannot rely on our governments to do all the work. Not all countries are committed to fighting climate change, and even those that do, cannot do it without the participation of businesses and individuals. Moreover, as individuals, we can push our governments to go further and do more to reduce their fossil fuel use. It is important to start now, as it was recently reported that we are approaching a point of no return, global warming of 1.5 degrees C. This level of warming is considered somewhat manageable, but a further increase would cause unpredictable consequences. Without swift and joint action, the problems we are facing will grow exponentially. I believe that even a small improvement at the level of an individual is important, as long as the change is replicated by many other people. Also, in my opinion, we should not look for a single solution, a "cure" to climate change, but embrace the idea of changing our lifestyle in multiple ways and living more sustainably than before. As a student, I can still make choices in my daily life that help reduce my carbon footprint. When I was in high school, I drove an electric car that I charged at home with electricity produced by renewable energy. I try to be a mindful consumer to discourage the overproduction of plastic which is a carbon-intensive process: I avoid using disposable silverware or drink straws and I bring reusable shopping bags to the stores. At home, I unplug devices that I am not using to help preserve electricity. I also helped replace trees in my family's backyard that were damaged by the winter storm. As a future aerospace engineer, I am aware of the impact of air and space travel and the use of rocket fuel on the Earth's atmosphere. In my university's Rocket Propulsion lab, we discuss ways of reducing the carbon footprint of jet fuels with alternative fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel. There is also a possibility of using renewable natural gas or hydrogen as jet fuels. Much of the green technology is already available and can be implemented. What is needed is the will on the part of the people to push in the direction of clean tech. I know that my peers at the university agree that climate change is an existential threat to our planet, and as we start our careers, we will advocate for green new technologies to replace carbon-intensive engines and jets. In my view, it is the biggest challenge facing our generation and I will do my best to make sure my future children do not live in a more dangerous and unsustainable world.

Most students have not accumulated a lot of assets by the time they start college, but as we are dropped off by our families in an unfamiliar place that will become our home for the next few years, we suddenly become fully responsible for taking care of ourselves, our studies, our relationships with friends and family, and building our futures. Much of it requires having sufficient finances, even for those of us whose tuition is paid for by our parents. We also need to pay for daily essentials, travel to see our family or buy appropriate clothes for an internship interview. It's a lot to deal with, but as an engineering student, I believe in taking a rational approach. There are different approaches to achieving financial freedom. Some people lean toward cutting their expenses and living frugally to accumulate enough savings to last them for many years. Others believe in "spending money to make money." They invest in education, pay extra for high-quality items that may last them longer, and acquire real estate in the hope of making profits. I believe that like most things in life, a balanced approach works best. As a student in a highly complex field of aerospace engineering, I have limited free time that I could use to earn money. I optimize the little time I have by working as a remote tutor whenever I have the opportunity. This allows me to make money on my own schedule and use the knowledge I gained at college while taking difficult subjects that are in demand by my clients. In addition, I rent my musical instrument to a friend who is in a high school band. With the money I earn, I am able to afford my monthly living expenses and even save a small amount. I have decided that I want to take advantage of the power of compounding interest by opening an IRA account as soon as I had earnings so that I can start saving for retirement and benefiting from growth in the markets over many years. It is important to start early, as it means I could invest lower amounts of money and achieve higher returns than if I started contributing later in life. I am confident that if I continue putting some money aside I will be able to manage any emergencies that come my way during college. And as I make saving money a habit, over time, these savings will translate into a secure financial future. Most importantly, I want to make sure that I use money as a tool to live a rewarding life, rich in experiences and opportunities to leave a positive impact on the world.

When people ask me why I love math, it's hard to give them a simple answer. It's just something that's always been a part of me. Ever since I was in elementary, I found joy in playing with Legos, drawing geometric patterns, and learning chess strategies. As I grew older, I realized that math was more than just numbers and formulas – it was a way to understand and describe the world around me. When I started college and declared my major in aerospace engineering, I was thrilled to see how much math was involved in my coursework. It was challenging, but I loved every minute of it. I was fascinated by the way that math could be used to design rocket engines and analyze test data. The more I learned, the more I realized that math was essential to my future career. Math has also helped me in other areas of my life. As a science lover, I enjoy learning about physics, chemistry, and biology. Math is the language that ties all of these sciences together, and it allows us to make predictions and understand the natural world. I believe that math is the foundation of science and that without it, we wouldn't have the technological advancements that we enjoy today. In my future career, I know that math will be a critical part of my job. I'll use it to design and test propulsion jets, analyze data from flight tests, and develop new space technologies. Math will allow me to advance my understanding of spacecraft engineering, and to create new designs that push the limits of what is possible. In conclusion, math has been a fundamental part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's helped me develop insight into the way our world works, and it's essential to my future career in aerospace engineering. I can't wait to see where my love for math will take me, and I'm excited to continue learning and growing in the years ahead.

For most of my life, I didn’t know how to celebrate my Filipino culture. Even now, I have yet to learn about countless things, from my dad’s bicol express recipe to the beginnings of my family line. After all, I’m only half Filipino; how could I possibly be in touch with my rich past as someone who half-belongs? With this question at the back of my mind for years, I only recently realized its irony. Us Filipinos are all defined by our deep history of colonization by not only Spain, the U.S., and even Japan. Through this long rotation of cultures, militaries, and genes, it’s reasonable to question our identities and doubt our sense of belonging. Yet this is what allowed me to recognize what it means to be Filipino. Rather than finding comfort in our common traits, we are united in our differences. If I were to take a walk down the street of my family’s home in Cebu, there would be a wide variety of people to see; some people may be lightly toned while others much darker; Tagalog on my left and Cebuano on my right. All of these people stand equally under the flag of the Philippines, and through this I find comfort knowing that my difference is what makes me Filipino. Coming from a sprawling suburb with a large Filipino population, I seek to empower my community through this unbreakable connection. During my time in high school, I spent extra time after official hours helping many of my Pinoy friends achieve success in difficult classes like physics and chemistry. As the president of the school’s East Asian American student organization, I was able to place special emphasis on individual achievement and support a stronger academic foundation for my community. Now, as a college student, I will dedicate myself to success in both my classes and career. The Filipino connection is one that surpasses physical distance; through my personal achievements I hope to not only inspire my peers at home, but also those across the globe simply aiming for a proud spot in the world.

As countless fields in science continue to make strides in preserving our planet, there are nevertheless underrepresented topics that remain an issue. Especially in my field of aerospace engineering, there exists a problem that frequently goes unnoticed by the public. It’s a commonality between colliding objects in orbit and even Taylor Swift’s jet plane; aerospace simply produces a lot of waste, whether it be air pollution or space debris. While I’m designing next-generation air and space technology, it is imperative that I incorporate solutions to this problem, as well. Despite this future goal, my path of confluence between environmentalism and aerospace truly began in high school. I took many high-level classes to set up my basic understanding; environmental science taught me the extent of our atmospheric degradation, while physics introduced me to air resistance and the potency of Newton’s laws. Although I found enjoyment in these classes, I wasn’t constrained to textbooks and lectures. Outside of class, I made an impact by picking up trash around my school and practicing conservation techniques in my home. Although small steps, I had already begun my plan to impact the world in a positive way. Now, as a new student in college, I will blossom from these initial steps and put my plan in action. As I learn about the fundamentals of propulsion, material physics, and related topics, I’ll be able to know first-hand about the characteristics of air and space craft, unlocking the possible discovery of more resilient and less wasteful designs. In my later years, I will be able to take technical electives to supplement my environmental focus, such as “Intro to Energy & Environment” and “Nondestructive Evaluation.” These classes will be the cornerstone to my success in my career; being a UC San Diego student, I will apply this knowledge to the various companies in the area, such as Boeing and ATA Engineering, while being supported by like-minded people in one of the country’s most sustainable cities. Similarly, I will have the opportunity to attend various conferences and discussions held by environmentally-conscious organizations like the Industrial Environmental Association to both bolster my knowledge while spreading my impact and goal to others. Eventually, I aim for my ideal to become the norm as planes and rockets around the world become designed for both efficiency and sustainability. I have yet to make many steps towards reducing the waste and pollution brought about by our current aircraft. However, sitting here now, the determination and passion is stirring within me to make a difference. The groundwork has been set, and it’s only a matter of time before I change the world in the sky for better.

For most of my life, I didn’t know how to celebrate my AAPI culture. Even now, I have yet to learn about countless things, from my dad’s bicol express recipe to the beginnings of my family line. After all, I’m only half Filipino; how could I possibly be in touch with my rich past as someone who half-belongs? With this question at the back of my mind for years, I only recently realized its irony. Us Filipinos are all defined by our deep history of colonization by Spain, the U.S., and even Japan. Through this long rotation of cultures, militaries, and genes, it’s reasonable to question our identities and doubt our sense of belonging. Yet this is what allowed me to recognize what it means to be Filipino. Rather than finding comfort in our common traits, we are united in our differences. If I were to take a walk down the street of my family’s home in Cebu, there would be a wide variety of people to see; some people may be lightly toned while others much darker; Tagalog on my left and Cebuano on my right. All of these people stand equally under the flag of the Philippines, and through this I find comfort knowing that my difference is what makes me Filipino. My culture emphasizes self-expression and highlights our vibrancies. In a world that often values conformity, I could not be prouder to be Filipino. Stemming from a wildly assorted background of different people and beliefs, I believe in creating a similar environment in the groups that I lead. During my senior year of high school, I was a prominent member in its marching band community as the clarinet section leader. My roster was wonderfully diverse, allowing me to teach kids from all over the world. Although we were all friends who respected each other’s identities, I believe cultural diversity is more than simply having a variety of skin tones. I sought to promote the sharing of ideas and opinions, as well. During breaks in our marching practice, I’d often ask a random member their thoughts on a certain technique or exercise we did. In scenarios with more downtime, I liked to bring up topics in the news that we’d all casually discuss. Although this mostly appeared as fun small-talk, it helped everyone to know each other very well, extending further than the generic “what’s your favorite color” icebreakers. Being well-acquainted with everyone’s varied ideas and thought processes, we gained the ability to quickly solve the personal and logistic conflicts that inevitably arose in our strenuous hours marching outside. Through this foundation rooted in the cultural diversity of my section-mates, I was able to promote their own development, too. As everyone shared their opinions, it was not often that we had a unanimous consensus on a topic. Through calm reassurance and steady arbitration, I created an environment to acknowledge contrasting opinions in a respectful manner. Influenced by my Filipino roots, I worked hard to be able to have a section that could freely and safely be expressive of our own ideas while receiving input from our peers. As their section leader, I hope that I instilled skills and values that were not only useful in our small band community, but in our rapidly changing, deeply polarizing, and immensely large society.

In every group, community, and society exists a context; a foundation that dictates the behaviors of the people within it. As our population increases, there is a dire need for alterations and improvements to this foundation to accommodate for our growing needs. Accomplishing such a task is a difficult ordeal; and it’s a challenge to be faced by the brave. Indeed, bravery is to stray from the status quo. When I was a senior in high school, I often caught glimpses of underclassmen feeling discouraged in their school work, whether it be due to plain difficulty, the devastating pandemic, or any other reason. Regardless, I was saddened by these growing feelings and refused to let them become the norm. Taking action, I remained after school nearly every day providing help with subjects ranging from physics and calculus to language and history. I remember tutoring physics to one of my closest friends; she needed help understanding spring energy for the next test, eager to get a high A. Already understanding the topic, I was determined to meet her goal and rearranged my entire schedule around providing help. It was a bold decision, risking my own time for the betterment of the whole. However, bravery and boldness go hand-in-hand, and she soon gained the confidence to achieve an outstanding perfect score. By living bravely, I empower others to have the same ambition towards creating the outcome they desire. No longer at that school, I recall the school’s PA playing a song named “World Changers,” by Matthew West. Most people played it off as an annoying cliché, but I’ve learned to absorb its meaning. Now, I continue to live bravely in order to be the world changer we were always meant to be.

Space is a wild and mind-bending realm that fascinated scientists for centuries. In the modern era, Albert Einstein is a prominent figure who has made strides in astronomy, especially through general relativity. My favorite scientific discovery is what led to the confirmation of this theory: Sir Arthur Eddington's observation on May 29, 1919. The longest in five centuries, the solar eclipse on that day provided direct evidence for general relativity. Stars near the sun were displaced from their normal position, indicating that the sun was capable of bending space-time. Einstein’s popularity skyrocketed, but even more significant were the effects of this discovery on society. When satellites are sent into orbit, their clocks tick slightly faster than clocks on earth. Without general relativity being accounted for, the ability for humanity to travel, share ideas, and collaborate is severely hampered. What we often take for granted - navigation and time - is held together by adjustments to general relativity. Yet Eddington’s observation yields more than practical results. The bending of far-away light from gravity is as a stroke of paint on canvas; there is beauty to be found. Recently, James Webb Space Telescope revealed magnificent images of distant galaxies and gas clouds, with one dating back to the very beginning of the universe. Along with its historical significance, the picture displays galaxies stretched by the dense gravity of a galaxy cluster as if smeared by a celestial brush. I was entranced by that vibrant scene painted by the universe. As a future aerospace engineer, I am inspired by Einstein and Eddington’s discovery. Creating technology to reach the stars is difficult, having to account for numerous factors affecting my craft. Yet as I tackle this task, I hope to carry the supreme beauty and practicality taught by relativity to my work.

As the whole world had changed seemingly overnight in spring of 2020 when the fears of pandemic became a reality, I felt confused and worried about my future. My school switched to online teaching and I spent the next year studying remotely, missing my friends, school events and any social interactions outside of my immediate family. Just a month before the pandemic, I went with my school band to Disney World in Orlando, FL where we spent five fun-filled days. Suddenly, I could not even leave the house for weeks at a time, while an unknown virus was raging all over the world and killing people in larger and larger numbers. I was lucky that my parents were there for me and helped to guide me and my siblings through those days filled with anxiety. Their attitude was that we have to do our best to manage things we can control, be kind and considerate of others who need help, and expect things to get better. As they often said, things can only get better from here. And eventually they did. It took me almost two years of wearing a mask every day and staying motivated to do my best at school, but through those months of online studying and then switching to in-person learning, I kept my goal in sight: to be a top student in my school. I graduated this summer as a #4 in the class of over 650 students. I was happy to make my family proud by my achievement. Staying positive and knowing that no matter what I should keep going, made all the difference for me.

There are different approaches to achieving financial freedom. Some people lean towards cutting their expenses and living frugally with the goal of accumulating enough savings to last them for many years. Others believe in "spending money to make money." They invest in education, pay extra for high-quality items that may last them longer, and acquire real estate in the hope of making profit. I believe that like most things in life, a balanced approach works best. The advice that resonated with me most came from "I will teach you to be rich," a book by Ramit Sethi. Ramit advocates for living a "rich life," which means automating most of our personal finances by saving or investing a percentage of the paycheck, using a portion for necessities, and spending the rest on anything that makes us feel fulfilled - games, hobbies, gifts, donations or anything else. My mom read this book before me and recommended that I also read it. She felt that the book's ideas applied across generations and I, too, could find useful advice. While she was able to save hours of her life by automating her finances, I decided that I want to start my road to financial freedom by opening an IRA account so that once I have sufficient income, I can start saving for retirement and benefiting from the power of compounding money over many years. Most importantly, I will make sure that I use money as a tool to live a rewarding life, rich in experiences and opportunities to leave a positive impact on the world.