To pass the seemingly endless yet limited time in my youth, drawing allowed me to create. Choosing which and what to draw to complement the illustration was my favorite task. It showed how one simple change could alter the feel of the sketch. At the time I believed my talent was irrelevant, but as I look back I have realized the true underlying meaning of my passion. Engineering aerospace was the solution to transform my will to create into innovations that advance aerospace. I was asked many questions about my own interests, but the question always met with a stubborn answer was: What do you want to be in the future. Although barely ten years of age, I held no hesitation, my simple mind traced itself back to the answer: "An entrepreneur." The younger, naive-minded version of myself never reflected on why I wanted to pursue that path. However as I expanded my own knowledge of myself, I have realized that my younger self never persisted on pursuing business, rather pursuing something more complex. Circling back on the underlying meaning of my passion, I intended to follow the path of freedom, more specifically the freedom to create. Ironically the definition of freedom was what limited my growth and that was why I chased it. I did not grow with wealth, rather grew with financial struggle. Although seeming disastrous, growing with limited resources teaches necessary survival. Learning to survive was the all-rounded answer but it came along with others: the ability to appreciate, question, solve, endure, and lastly hope. Hope gave me motivation to pursue my goal of creation, continuing to explore the harsh waters. Facing financial difficulty was not ideal but I have learned it teaches valuable life lessons. I have also endured conflicts within myself. I had been discouraged: Seeing others with internship opportunities I could not dream of partaking in, prevented from sports because the money could be invested into the roof over my head, discouraged because reliable transportation was seemingly impossible, and more drastically: questioning whether engineering was a realistic option. Although survival teaches valuable skills, it also came with its own drawbacks. The question: "Will this truly benefit me?" The same survival skill that taught me determination also held heavy weight, questioning whether opportunities were worth the cost. The greatest obstacle I needed to face the most was not money, it was confronting my perception of what limitations were. Confronting the fact that life is not painted in black and white, rather the blending contrast in beautiful colors. Collision was what I found joy in, choosing which and what draw to alter the feel of the environment. The obstacle I overcame was learning how to transform my perceived weaknesses into strengths. With the additional financial support, I intend to ease college expenses, reduce work hours, pursue research opportunities, and find creation. Through aerospace engineering, I intend to advance human exploration, improve transportation, and most importantly create aircraft to connect communities.

America was the new light for foreign families. My grandparents, immigrants from Thailand, looked towards America to offer them a new life, a seemingly promising opportunity at the cost of disconnecting from families. We lived in a large yet cramped house in Rio Linda, a place of dust and grime, and yet I loved it. During my childhood years I had rarely seen my parents, they endlessly worked to support my sister and me. My family never had the luxury of fancy brand items with white titled houses and endless marble hallways. Like the expensive marble tiles, we had titles too, dirty brown with a hint of dull maroon seen in the dust filled cracks of each concrete lining of the titles. Our house's hallway had four doors hugging the thin whispering walls, the wooden frames leading to the entrances of each family members rooms: My four uncles and their four significant others, my grandparents, my sister, me, my mother, and my father. My parents had me and my sister young, in their late 20's to be exact, and they worked two jobs with 8 hour shifts to support us. They decided to devote their lives to giving me and my sister better futures. I never asked much of my parents, just wanting to have them by my side. I wanted to show them that their efforts were not in vain by trying my hardest in elementary school, winning the presidential recognition award. It was when I reached high school where the education system differed. I found joy in joining track and field, feeling as if I could overcome my own physical limitations, and yet I abandoned my duties as an athlete. My parents held tight working schedules, so much so to where I had to leave what I enjoyed the most to limit the burden on them. I wanted to show my parents that they were investing in the right decision and I wanted to make my parents proud. I took advanced placement classes, pushed myself to my limits because not only did I strive for higher education but I also wanted to prove that I could overcome my own limits. Taking these classes seemed promising, feeling as if I could achieve something greater. I wanted to strive for the top colleges that all my peers were communicating about. It was when I realized the cost for such education, a despair drifted across my face. I felt hopeless, feeling unable to reach what I worked so hard to run towards. I not only let go of myself but I also felt my parents efforts were for nothing. I circled back to my family. From what seemed hopeless turned to something hopeful, I found optimism in my parents' efforts and came to terms with my situation. There was no reason to give up now that I have come so far to better my future. What I saw in this financial event was not the end but an obstacle to overcome. An obstacle all my family members faced and overcame with determination and resilience. My financial situation may be an obstacle, but I will not let it determine my future for higher education.

My experience with mental health has altered my perspective of the world, my ability to interact with others, and my way of planning out my life. Struggling with depression as a child, I felt I was alone in the world, that I could never be good enough, and that no matter how hard I worked, it wouldn’t be enough. Both of my parents worked long hours to provide for my family, that I appreciate, but on the down side that they were not available to emotionally support me. However, healing was not easy, and I developed to deal and overcome the challenges I faced. I returned to hobbies that I have always enjoyed ever since I was a young girl, such as painting, crafts, anything that allows me to express how I feel without needing words. During that time, I understood that despite how heavy life seemed, it was up to me to view life how I wanted it to be and the view could not be somber. I wanted to view life in a way that was not against me but a life that was pushing me to improve through difficulties. To fulfill this view, I pushed myself to advance despite the struggle through academics by taking advanced math, AP Physics, AP courses. I have also changed the way I relate with people due to my experiences with mental health. I have discovered the value of listening, showing people that I care, and being emotionally available. I have been lucky to find a partner that I love and that pushes me to be the best version of myself. The experience has also taught me that vulnerability is a strength rather than a weakness. Feeling loved and supported has made me understand the strength of connection and has made me realize that people deserve to be seen. These experiences have naturally led me to the field of engineering, a field that provides impact. Collaborating with others who faced similar challenges has opened my eyes to the power of community and a shared purpose. I believe I should work to develop a positive impact that helps others, improves communities, and in the process, can be an example and a role model for young girls to follow in the STEM fields. Learning from my own experiences, I have come to the realization that pain is necessary to promote growth, isolation can unlock the hidden knowledge of empathy, and difficult times do not mean the end of this story.