“A flame that enlightens its surroundings, and thereby itself. It has no properties, no sense of narrative reflection or identity.” As human beings with a body, mind, and soul, we have the opportunity to create our own reflection rather than live through the projections of others. I am still shaping mine.
My name is Jayla Lowe. I am 18 years old, from Washington, D.C., and currently a freshman at Tuskegee University majoring in aerospace engineering. I come from a single-parent household and have a younger sister who recently started high school. Growing up, I learned the value of perseverance, responsibility, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them.
Throughout high school, I participated in community-driven organizations that reflected my passion for service and STEM. I tutored elementary students in math and helped introduce children who looked like me to aviation and aeronautical engineering. As president of my school’s STEM Club, I organized opportunities for students to explore careers in computer science, engineering, military service, and apprenticeships through educational visits, including trips to Navy bases.
My fascination with aviation began in the third grade. After school, my mother often had to work late, so my teacher allowed me to read books from his classroom library while I waited. Although the selection was small, many of the books focused on space and aircraft. Those afternoons sparked a lifelong curiosity. I became captivated by aircraft like the SR-71, memorized military aircraft specifications, learned about planets, and eagerly watched NASA launches and cockpit videos from military and commercial pilots.
As I grew older, I researched every possible path to becoming a pilot, from licensing requirements to financial costs. Although becoming a pilot immediately was financially out of reach, I refused to let that end my dream. Instead, I searched for every opportunity available. I connected with pilots, engineers, and even professors who had contributed to the development of the F-16. Rather than allowing my circumstances to limit me, I used them as motivation to prepare for the opportunities I knew would come.
My father said “my attitude is my altitude,” and I have carried those words with me. Since I was 15, I have worked to support myself and help ease the financial burden on my mother. Before starting college, I worked four jobs in one summer to save for tuition and dorm essentials we could not otherwise afford. I entered my first semester on a payment plan, grateful for the chance to pursue my education through determination and sacrifice.
My work ethic comes from watching my mother overcome every obstacle life placed before our family. Even during months when we were without a permanent home, she never stopped encouraging my sister and me to pursue excellence. She has always provided not only financially but emotionally, giving me the confidence to believe I am capable of achieving every goal I set.
I aspire to build a career in aviation and aerospace engineering because my mother always told me that, with a mind like mine and a face like hers, I could reach for the stars. Women make up only a small percentage of engineers worldwide, and Black women represent an even smaller fraction. I hope to help change that by inspiring and creating opportunities for young women who may not otherwise see themselves in STEM. My goal is to design safer, more reliable aircraft and propulsion systems that protect pilots while advancing the future of aviation. More importantly, I hope my journey becomes proof that determination can overcome circumstance and inspire the next generation to dream even bigger.