The suitcases were packed, and my family and I were headed to the airport for a vacation to Orlando, Florida. This was an exciting day for me, as it would be my first time flying on an airplane. I remember hearing the pilot come over the intercom welcoming us aboard and briefing us on the upcoming sunny Florida weather. As I walked by the cockpit, I couldn't help but let my curiosity wonder, and I took a step inside. My mother quickly stopped me, but the first officer turned around and told her it was okay, then welcomed me into the button-surrounded seats. I sat back in the big comfy seat as the kind pilot explained what all the colorful switches and buttons were used for. I was in awe and I spent the rest of the flight staring out the window in amazement as other kids my age played on tablets and watched movies. My eyes never left the outside as houses, buildings, and clouds passed by my window. Every flight from then on was the same for me, spending every hour staring out the window and enjoying the breathtaking view. I knew I wanted these skies to be my office one day, and I knew I too could learn about the complex operations behind an aircraft. As I approached my junior year of high school, I began visiting aviation schools around the country to make my dreams come true. I visited 5 schools in total in 3 different states, and with each one found a new interest in the aviation world. I chose the Florida Institute of Technology and its nationally recognized aviation program to learn to fly. With just about a year of experience under my belt, the day came to make my first solo flight. Everything I had worked so hard for was finally worth it when those wheels lifted off the ground and I was the only one at the controls. It was a liberating experience that I will never forget. I looked around, took a deep breath, and thought to myself, "wow, this is what I have always dreamed of." To this day, I have made numerous solo flights and am weeks away from becoming a licensed private pilot. Although I have much more training to do, I am loving the learning process. Each day, I am one step closer to my dream career of sitting in the front seat of a commercial airliner and taking the controls. I am focused on making the aviation community a safer and more sustainable industry. My education is focused on the safety measures in place within the industry and with my degree, I hope to implement necessary safety protocols and reporting systems across the nation. I am excited to inspire other young women who also have aspirations in a male-dominated industry and give them the confidence that my young self received on my first ever flight. Representation is important for young girls to see and I am forever thankful for my first flight experience.