Thinking about the future has often been a dutiful task for me. Although I know what career I would like to enter, finding a bigger purpose for my life has been strifeful. However, throughout my senior year at Maryville High School, I have realized that the one true goal I can have in my life is to become a disciple of the communities around me. Therefore, I plan to enter the Air Force and attend Virginia Tech. Their mission statements include “Service Before Self” and “That I may serve.” These mottos have provided insight into what I believe will give me the most satisfactory life: serving others. I truly believe that God has made my purpose to serve. By serving in the military, I hope to become an impactful leader and offer support to other females in the military and aspiring pilots. In the commercial piloting industry, the field is 93% male occupied. Because of this, several females are intimidated to show interest in becoming a pilot. Creating a sense of belonging and support in these male-dominated careers is essential for the success of other females. To be a leader is more than having power; being a leader is to inspire others to serve and face challenges. My Great Grandpa was a B-29 Pilot during World War II; Although I never knew him, his legacy has lived on through infamous family stories of his flying and has inspired me to continue flying in his footsteps. Through dedication and consistent hard work, I intend to become a fighter pilot and serve my country through the Air Force. I want to learn to be a fighter pilot not due to the Top Gun movies, besides popular belief, but because I love to stay engaged and focused on my tasks. Being a fighter pilot requires constant focus and an intense love for flying fast, which I have. Another way I intend to use my career to serve others is to become a missionary pilot. I believe that God intends for us to use our strengths and abilities to serve others; For me, this means using my expertise in aviation to help aid others worldwide. Missionary pilots are very rare and so being able to help in this specific way would be incredibly beneficial for organizations like Samaritan’s Purse. These pilots help missionaries be able to travel at a significantly discounted cost. Consequently, this means more disciples and medical care groups will be available to make more trips. This would be a fantastic opportunity to use my strengths to help others. Being a leader is often associated with being assertive, and while that is true to some extent, being successful means being able to serve others. Volunteer work has always impacted my life and made me humble and grateful. Even as a child, it left me feeling joyful after working in animal shelters and helping clean crates. Some of the work was tiring and dirty, but I could see the bigger picture. To truly create change, society has to see the bigger picture and be able to sacrifice its time. Successfulness means having enough time to help others and choosing to be empathetic.

I have wanted to be a pilot since I first flew in a small airplane. I remember it vividly because it was unlike anything I had experienced before; the rush of gliding off the runway, the view of the world around me, and the endless possibilities. I was only fourteen when I knew my purpose, and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to continue my flying career and gather over ninety-five hours of flight time. My Great Grandpa was a B-29 Pilot during World War II and went MIA over the Pacific; Although I never knew him, his legacy has lived on through infamous family stories of his flying and has inspired me to continue flying in his footsteps. Through dedication and consistent hard work, I intend to become a fighter pilot and serve my country through the Air Force. I want to learn to be a fighter pilot not due to the Top Gun movies, besides popular belief, but because I love to stay engaged and focused on my tasks. Being a fighter pilot requires constant focus and an intense love for flying fast, which I have. Another thing that cemented this career goal was an Aerobatic course I completed in January 2023. It consisted of eight lessons with four to five maneuvers. I was always apprehensive while my instructor explained the complicated manoeuvers, but every time the lesson ended, I could not wait to go back in the air to learn more. With an aviation degree from Virginia Tech, my military and commercial piloting career will be a step ahead of others, which will help me become a fighter pilot, as they are the best pilots. However, seeing more women in this career path would have greatly encouraged me to fly. I can count on both hands how many female pilots I have met, while I only know two close to my age group. Throughout and after college, I hope to be able to encourage other girls to take up flying by taking them on their own "introductory flight." Those first moments in the air are majorly influential in becoming interested in professional flight. I want to make it a positive and intriguing event. In March of 2022, during a college visit, the guide told me they were at 10% female for the aviation program, and they were excited because it was 3% above industry. In short, I was astounded. I cannot wait to help these percentages grow and grow as more women become interested in aviation. Women deserve the chance to be more than just flight attendants. The sky is the limit.

I have wanted to be a pilot since I first flew in a small airplane. I remember it vividly because it was unlike anything I had experienced before; the rush of gliding off the runway, the view of the world around me, and the endless possibilities. I was only fourteen when I knew my purpose, and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to continue my flying career and gather over ninety-five hours of flight time. My Great Grandpa was a B-29 Pilot during World War II and went MIA over the Pacific; Although I never knew him, his legacy has lived on through infamous family stories of his flying and has inspired me to continue flying in his footsteps. Through dedication and consistent hard work, I intend to become a fighter pilot and serve my country through the Air Force. I want to learn to be a fighter pilot not due to the Top Gun movies, besides popular belief, but because I love to stay engaged and focused on my tasks. Being a fighter pilot requires constant focus and an intense love for flying fast, which I have. Another thing that cemented this career goal was an Aerobatic course I completed in January 2023. It consisted of eight lessons with four to five maneuvers. I was always a little apprehensive while my instructor explained the complicated manoeuvers, but every time the lesson ended, I could not wait to go back in the air to learn more. With an aviation degree from Virginia Tech, my military and commercial piloting career will be a step ahead of others, which will help me become a fighter pilot, as they are the best pilots. Outside of flying and academics, serving my community is one of my priorities. As chairman of the Community Outreach Committee in the Maryville High School Student Council, I have hosted several events to continue contributing to my community. In November 2022, our committee hosted a cleaning supplies drive to donate to our county's family resource center. The supplies and money donated helped our schools, families, and connections as we recognized Giving Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Another way I give back to my community is by volunteering at a local food bank called Community Food Connections. They have a grocery store-like format that allows families to gather food and toiletries for the week. As a member of our school's Spanish Honors Society, I can speak Spanish to those who need assistance to remove the daily language barrier that several face.