The homeless population in New York City is approximately over 300,000 people. Every time I went to the city I’d always see them lining the streets begging for money and food. It made my heart break every time I went to the city so I decided to take initiative and make a change. I joined the organization Blessing Bag Brigade. In this organization I made bags filled with food, water, clothes, and hygienic supplies. Then whenever I went to the city I would hand out as many bags as I could carry in my backpack. Seeing every single one of their faces light up when I gave them the bag made me realize that all this world needs is kindness. Hearing their stories, and speaking with them opened my mind to the idea that you should never judge someone based on appearances or their situation. I have done a winter coat drive almost every winter and I plan on doing one again when I come back home from college for the winter along with making more bags. I may not be able to change the whole world, but I can change someone’s world with just a little act of kindness.

Looking up into the sky as a little girl I’ve always wondered how humans were able to make a big piece of metal soar into the sky. I always spent my free time reading books about planes and my most favorite memories were created at the airshows I would go to with my brother. My brother and I would always pretend that we were the pilots as a way to escape from our harsh reality of living in an abusive household. Aviation became more than an interest to me; it represented freedom, hope, and the possibility of a better future for myself. I knew from there that my life could not and would not forever be filled with fear and poverty. I knew that when my mom had the courage to leave with my brother and I that anything could be possible. Everyday since then I have worked incredibly hard in keeping my grades up while maintaining two jobs. Now as a college student I am still putting in that same effort to continue making my dreams come true. As an aerospace engineering student I want to make a positive impact on the world by contributing my efforts in the aviation industry. I wanted to leave a big impact on the world and I can do this by becoming an aerospace engineer. Even though my original plan was to become a pilot, my severe scoliosis put a stop to that dream. While this was a difficult transition to make, I still continued with my passion for aviation. The design of airplanes has always interested me so I decided to major in aerospace engineering. Now as a freshman in aerospace engineering I am able to contribute to the design, and development of aircraft while aiding in the future of the aviation industry. A degree in aerospace engineering combined my curiosity about how airplanes fly with my desire to make a positive impact on the world. I want to design aircraft that make flight safer, more efficient and more environmentally sustainable. Through my work I am actively helping people connect with others across the world which is a beautiful way to express the desire for connection that all humans share. My life has not always been easy but everything I have been through has led me to this moment in time where I am pursuing my dream degree. Aviation reminds me of the dreams my brother and I shared and the hope that stuck with me through every obstacle. Now, I am working to make my childhood dreams come true. My goal is to not just have a successful career but to make a meaningful difference in the industry that has changed my life. I hope to make the little girl that was dreaming of a better life proud, and I hope to inspire other little girls to do the same. It doesn’t matter where you start from, all that matters is the amount of determination you have to go after your dreams.

Over the summer my friends and I were out hiking at our local park. Along the trail we met this nice old lady that was lost so we explained the right way she should go which just so happened to be the way we were going. We decided to walk with her and during that whole hike we learned so much about each other. Ever since then I have tried my best to be open and kind with everyone I meet, especially strangers. That interaction showed me what being a good citizen means. It means following the law but also being helpful and kind to everyone around you. From volunteering at food pantries to committing daily acts of kindness I have made it my ultimate goal to uphold my duty as a good citizen. Women did not receive the right to vote until the 19th amendment in 1920. Since then both men and women have been allowed to share their own opinions and are able to contribute when it comes to the workings of the government. Voting is the foundation of democracy, it gives citizens a voice in the way they are governed. Voting is needed in order to remain a free nation because it gives citizens the freedom to rightfully voice their political opinions. Citizens are able to vote in leaders, and can heavily influence laws and policies that may affect themselves. It gives them a voice to preach their needs in America, the land of the free, that was made that way due to the right to vote. The Constitution is integral in remaining equality for everyone in this country. Even leaders such as the President must abide by the constitution and are not above it. To me it means equality. It ensures that everyone is treated fairly no matter their background, religion, and race. Ensuring that everyone has the same equal protections and opportunities under the law. It reinforces the idea that no one is above the law and keeps high governing positions in power in check from creating unfair laws. To me it is a protection for the American people to keep everything fair and equal for everyone, making every citizen gain the chance to succeed in life while in America. This is what allows America to remain the land of the free. Having equality and freedom all throughout our political system ensures these rights and protections. Due to this, I believe it is my responsibility to abide by the law, to continue helping others as my duty as a good citizen for America, and to inspire others to do the same. All of these values and the beliefs I hold towards voting and the constitution will guide me as I contribute to society.

At two years old I was on the brink of homelessness. My mother had very little money but knew that she had to escape my abusive father for the sake of my brother and I. So she packed her whole life up and moved into my grandparents house. Their house was small so I was always hearing the complaints about bills, groceries, and the struggles of having multiple jobs. My grandparents themselves also had very little money so most of our food would come from food pantries or local organizations. Even though my childhood was filled with struggle I always saw past the financial burdens that my family was put through and looked to my future. I knew that if I wanted to escape this life I would need to work as hard as I can academically, and financially. For the past four years I have been dealing with two jobs to help support my family while also constantly studying to maintain my membership in the four honor societies I am part of. Due to my financial struggles I also volunteer whenever I can for those that are in the same situation as me. I know what it feels like to have nothing, to feel all alone and that is a feeling no one should experience. So my work with the Blessing Bag Brigade and Middletown Helps Its Own has made me able to help other families like mine. My freshman year of high school was when I was able to take my first economics class. In that class I learned all of the basics of finance which I never understood before. Being able to now understand the weight of debt, taxes, etc has made me able to understand the daily struggle my mom goes through. I have tried to help her the best I can since learning that information. My learning of all of the finances I would have to deal with as an adult has also made me start to work more to prepare myself with all of the expenses. My academic excellence has led me to being accepted and fully committed to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to study aerospace engineering. Due to my family’s financial situation and my understanding of the weight debt can have on my life, I chose a major that will be able to support myself financially in the future and that will allow me to give back to my mom for all the sacrifices she has made for me.

I grew up in an abusive household. My childhood was filled with fear and so much trauma. The abuse all came from my father who was heavily addicted to alcohol, and hard drugs. Although my mother was able to escape with me and my brother when I was a toddler, the trauma I went through is still with me today. Now due to him my family is not well off financially, and I am forever scarred by the torment he has put me through. Despite this my story is not defined by what happened to me but how I have dealt with it. My fathers actions showed me the type of person I never want to become and have pushed me to be strong and show compassion towards others. I will not let the abuse I went through take control of my life entirely. Instead I choose to see it in a brighter light, that I can overcome anything. My fathers actions due to his addiction will always stay with me but it does not define me. It only motivates me to create a better future for myself. The stereotype that most kids that grow up with addiction in their lives often follow the same path is very heartfelt and wrong. Everyday I prove that stereotype wrong and I will continue to do so. My fathers story has made me want to become a better person and has pushed me to reach for the stars. So I am. I recently got accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for aerospace engineering. I plan on going there yet the tuition is very expensive and my family does not have a lot of money. So I will do as I have done in the past and I will push myself to be able to go. My hard work proves that stereotype wrong for all kids that were in the same situation that I was in. With my aerospace engineering degree I plan on using it to design spacecraft for the betterment of humanity. I want the craft that I design to be able to allow scientists and astronauts to develop more research on ways to cure diseases, improve the economy, etc. All of that can be done by what is found in space since the possibilities are limitless. I have only ever wanted to help people in my life and this is a way to help mass amounts of people. By being able to gain enough money to go to college I will be able to achieve that and much more. I want to inspire other little girls who have come from nothing such as myself, and make them realize that they can reach the stars if they try hard enough.

When I was two years old my mom moved me and my brother out of an abusive household caused by my brother. We moved to my grandparents house and there I was surrounded by nothing but love. Even though my family was struggling with groceries and payment for court due to my father yet they still gave me a wonderful childhood. My grandma was my best friend at the time and always told me to never give up no matter what. Since her passing in 2016 I have preserved through everything just for her. Now that I have gotten accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University I will not give up on gaining enough money to allow me to go even though my family can not afford my tuition. The trauma I endured from my father made me dive into books to find an escape from reality. Most of the books I read just happened to be all about space. So, from the age of seven I knew that I wanted my job to be surrounded with space. In my senior year I found the major "aerospace engineering". It caught my eye and I knew that would be my future. Ever since then I have worked tirelessly juggling jobs, clubs, sports and overall studying as best as I can. Throughout my academic career I have worked hard enough to be top 11% in my class. Being able to design spacecraft for the betterment of humanity whether its rockets or satellites is all I have ever wanted in life. There is very little that we know about space and with my degree I plan on pushing space exploration further. I want to design spacecraft that can help humanity for the better. I want the craft that I design to be able to allow scientists and astronauts to develop more research on ways to cure diseases, improve the economy, etc. All of that can be done by what is found in space since the possibilities are limitless. I have only ever wanted to help people in my life and this is a way to help mass amounts of people. By being able to gain enough money to go to college I will be able to achieve that and much more. I want to inspire other little girls who have come from nothing such as myself, and make them realize that they can reach the stars if they try hard enough.

When I was two years old my mom moved me and my brother out of an abusive household caused by my brother. We moved to my grandparents house and there I was surrounded by nothing but love. Even though my family was struggling with groceries and payment for court due to my father yet they still gave me a wonderful childhood. My grandma was my best friend at the time and always told me to never give up no matter what. Since her passing in 2016 I have preserved through everything just for her. Now that I have gotten accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University I will not give up on gaining enough money to allow me to go even though my family can not afford my tuition. The trauma I endured from my father made me dive into books to find an escape from reality. Most of the books I read just happened to be all about space. So, from the age of seven I knew that I wanted my job to be surrounded with space. In my senior year I found the major "aerospace engineering". It caught my eye and I knew that would be my future. Ever since then I have worked tirelessly juggling jobs, clubs, sports and overall studying as best as I can. Throughout my academic career I have worked hard enough to be top 11% in my class. Being able to design spacecraft for the betterment of humanity whether its rockets or satellites is all I have ever wanted in life. There is very little that we know about space and with my degree I plan on pushing space exploration further. I want to design spacecraft that can help humanity for the better. I want the craft that I design to be able to allow scientists and astronauts to develop more research on ways to cure diseases, improve the economy, etc. All of that can be done by what is found in space since the possibilities are limitless. I have only ever wanted to help people in my life and this is a way to help mass amounts of people. By being able to gain enough money to go to college I will be able to achieve that and much more. I want to inspire other little girls who have come from nothing such as myself, and make them realize that they can reach the stars if they try hard enough.