I gained my passion for flight at a very young age. Growing up in the Cleveland area, I had the golden opportunity to attend the annual Cleveland Airshow. I remember a very distinct year when the Marines had brought their V-22's and they of course wanted to show them off. I, being extremely young, thought it was just a cool helicopter, but I remember watching it perform a demonstration flight. Needless to say, when it flipped the rotors forward and sped by us like a jet, I was hooked. From then on, I was captivated by anything remotely related to aviation or flight. If it was aerospace or aviation, I NEEDED to know about it. I watched videos, talked to pilots at airshows, and found books at the library on aviation; I did everything I could to be like those pilots I looked up to. The beauty of it is that as I got older it grew and grew. When I got into late middle school and early high school it was no longer just "This plane looks so cool!". It became "I really wonder why they chose this wing configuration?". I gained a thirst for knowledge that was insatiable and I never wanted to stop learning. To be honest, it truly benefited me because while everyone else was unsure about what they wanted in life, what their goals should be, or whether or not they wanted to go to college, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted. I wanted to be as close as I possibly could with aviation. I would do whatever it took to get in the cockpit. As I progressed through high school, I continued to learn about aviation and flight. To learn more I joined my local EAA chapter and I was blessed enough to be able to attend the NASA-sponsored Huntsville Alabama Space Academy. There I learned even more about aerospace and aviation. I got the amazing opportunity to talk to hundreds, if not thousands, of ex-NASA employees, military pilots, aerospace engineers, and astronauts; asking everyone how to get to where I wanted to go. Everyone said Part 141 was the best option, so I pursued it. I originally accepted an offer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University but I ended up not going my first year and instead attended community college to save money. I have had no father in my life since I was 13, I got a job at 14 to help my mother pay bills, so if I can save money, I'm going to do it. After my first year at community college, I switched to a much better and more affordable college, Western Michigan University, where I'm studying Aviation Flight Science under Part 141. Once I graduate, I plan on giving back to as many people as I can with my career. I want to serve and I want to help others just as they have helped me. I can think of no better way to do that than to become an aerial firefighter. I want to be right in the thick of it, helping to save lives and property. If I can help protect one family home, save one forest, or ultimately preserve a life, I will have succeeded in my journey. Once I retire, I want to continue to serve and give back. There have been so many people who helped to kindle my love for aviation and I think Joseph had the right idea. Inspire future pilots. If I can inspire one person to get their wings, then I think I'll have made the current me proud.