I grew up in Latin America: El Salvador. My country is full of joy, and amazing individuals. I always felt that El Salvador was the place where I belonged, but life had other plans for me. My family’s poor financial situation forced me to leave my country and immigrate to the United States at fifteen years old, leaving my life behind. I took only a small backpack full of clothes in my pursuit of a dream. After leaving my home in El Salvador, I felt isolated by the differences in culture and language. I sought comfort in the only thing familiar to me—my education. Through books, I discovered the fantastic stories of people like me. Immigrants like Nikole Tesla and William Kamkwamba created many inventions, such as a windmill that converts wind power into electricity. These individuals represent bright immigrant minds with great potential that were able to impact the world, all they needed was an opportunity. These stories awakened my passion for engineering. Eventually, I decided to start my own projects. Collecting resources was difficult due to my economic limitations, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. First, I built a Tesla coil, a device that transmits electricity wirelessly. This project taught me about iron soldering and circuit building. Next, I created a windmill. Using my own blades and carpentry, I built the base and tower. These two combined created electricity through the movement caused by the wind. I possess a strong affinity towards engineering, but Aviation is my true passion. Since my childhood, I have found myself captivated by the thrill and wonderment of flight. My father- a member of the Salvadoran army, would take me to the airport to witness the awe-inspiring sight of airplanes taking off. Those moments instilled in me a deep love for aviation and a desire to pursue a career in aeronautics. However, as part of the Latino community, It was heartbreaking to see the lack of representation and opportunity for Latinos in this field. Although the odds were stacked against me, I did not let myself be discouraged. For instance, I joined the recognized Latino Pilot Association to encourage representation and show my Latino community that not even the sky's the limit and that my heritage is my greatest strength. Eventually, I graduated from private pilot ground school, passed my private pilot knowledge test, and currently have thirty-eight hours of flight experience. All while working to pay for my training. I take pride in my passions as they have taught me to pursue my dreams and to be determined no matter the limitations. Although my family isn't here to see my achievements, I strive to make them proud. My passions gave me a sense of belonging. Having left my home country at a young age to support my unemployed father and my family, I understand the feeling of not having support and being alone. These experiences have inspired me to give the support I never had to those amidst a journey similar to mine. My Hispanic background has influenced my approach in engineering by motivating me to push boundaries, so I can let the world know that as Latinos we can also bring knowledge to the world. Winning this scholarship would not only make me the first in my family to attend college in the US, but it would also provide the necessary funds for my education in aerospace engineering. By pursuing my passions in engineering and aviation, I can support my family and community while demonstrating the achievements possible for Latinos given the opportunity.

I grew up in Latin America: El Salvador. My country is full of joy, and amazing individuals. I always felt that El Salvador was the place where I belonged, but life had other plans for me. My family’s poor financial situation forced me to leave my country and immigrate to the United States at fifteen years old, leaving my life behind. I took only a small backpack full of clothes in my pursuit of a dream. After leaving my home in El Salvador, I felt isolated by the differences in culture and language. I sought comfort in the only thing familiar to me—my education. Through books, I discovered the fantastic stories of people like me. Immigrants like Nikole Tesla and William Kamkwamba created many inventions, such as a windmill that converts wind power into electricity. These individuals represent bright immigrant minds with great potential that were able to impact the world, all they needed was an opportunity. These stories awakened my passion for engineering. Eventually, I decided to start my own projects. Collecting resources was difficult due to my economic limitations, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. First, I built a Tesla coil, a device that transmits electricity wirelessly. This project taught me about iron soldering and circuit building. Next, I created a windmill. Using my own blades and carpentry, I built the base and tower. These two combined created electricity through the movement caused by the wind. I possess a strong affinity towards engineering, but Aviation is my true passion. Since my childhood, I have found myself captivated by the thrill and wonderment of flight. My father- a member of the Salvadoran army, would take me to the airport to witness the awe-inspiring sight of airplanes taking off. Those moments instilled in me a deep love for aviation and a desire to pursue a career in aeronautics. However, as part of the Latino community, It was heartbreaking to see the lack of representation and opportunity for Latinos in this field. Although the odds were stacked against me, I did not let myself be discouraged. For instance, I joined the recognized Latino Pilot Association to encourage representation and show my Latino community that not even the sky's the limit and that my heritage is my greatest strength. Eventually, I graduated from private pilot ground school, passed my private pilot knowledge test, and currently have thirty-eight hours of flight experience. All while working to pay for my training. I take pride in my passions as they have taught me to pursue my dreams and to be determined no matter the limitations. Although my family isn't here to see my achievements, I strive to make them proud. My passions gave me a sense of belonging. Having left my home country at a young age to support my unemployed father and my family, I understand the feeling of not having support and being alone. These experiences have inspired me to give the support I never had to those amidst a journey similar to mine. My Hispanic background has influenced my approach in engineering by motivating me to push boundaries, so I can let the world know that as Latinos we can also bring knowledge to the world. Winning this scholarship would not only make me the first in my family to attend college in the US, but it would also provide the necessary funds for my education in aerospace engineering. By pursuing my passions in engineering and aviation, I can support my family and community while demonstrating the achievements possible for Latinos given the opportunity.

Making Dreams a Reality Since a young age, I have always been passionate about aviation. This passion was ignited by my dad, who used to take me to his airbase in El Salvador to see the stunning and engaging aircraft arrive and depart to a new location day-to-date. This passion was fueled even more due to having my two uncles as a mechanic and aircraft instructor. Their true passion was printed on me and made me decide to move to the U.S. at the age of fifteen to pursue my dream of becoming a pilot. Not long ago after I moved, I started facing different challenges. First, I had to adapt to a new culture and way of living, different from others. I had to put in double the effort to succeed in a society that didn't consider what I would achieve because of my background and ethnicity. In addition, I had to learn a new Language and had to adapt to a poor living. I overcame those challenges by seeking support. Some examples are Joining the Latino Pilot Association to find mentorship, and I joined a zero-period class called Avid which is a High School program that guides students to achieve a college education. Both experiences taught me various values such as volunteering, and many skills like critical thinking, and helped me pursue my dream of achieving higher education. The support provided by this organization, my family, and friends, and overcoming those challenges helped me become one of the top of my class, helped me to successfully pass my Private Pilot Ground School, and other courses, as well as to pass my private pilot knowledge test. It guided me to become an active member of my community in which I have worked as a tutor and obtained more than two hundred and fifty hours of community service. My experiences have fueled me to pursue even more than what I had planned in Aviation. Now I would pursue a degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in the Aerospace Engineer Program and would obtain all the licenses required to be an Instructor Pilot. Both degrees would help advance the Aeronautical/Aerospace Field and the Latino Community and would help me guide others in their path in these amazing fields. After graduating I plan to work as an Aerospace engineer and move to El Salvador for one or two years where I would start a non-profit organization to help Latinos advance in the field. I would work as an instructor or join the airline to build my experience faster because in El Salvador the required amount of hours is just two hundred and fifty to start flying for Volaris and Avianca. And then return to the U.S. to continue my career, and expand my non-profit to help Latino advance on the field. Making these plans a reality gives me the fuel when I am enduring academic and financial hardships in life. Knowing that I can suffer and be a pioneer for others gives me the fulfillment necessary to help others and serve not just my community, but other communities "There are no limits!".