Inspiration is a feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something that gives you creative ideas or motivation to do something. Throughout our lives, there are many people who inspire us, but perhaps the most significant and influential is family. For me, one person in particular who has consistently been a source of inspiration as a role model is, ironically, my younger sister. Despite being the youngest of three girls, she possesses a level of determination and resilience that far surpasses her age. Her strength and bravery in the face of adversity are traits that I deeply admire and will continue to look up to. One of the most exceptional aspects of my sister’s journey has been her perseverance through two surgeries. When she was just eleven years old, she fractured her foot. When the doctor’s x-rayed it, they found that she had fractured the extra bone in her foot and it was impacting the peroneal tendon. They determined that surgery was the best option for her recovery, and while she was disappointed as it meant that her hockey, softball, and volleyball seasons were over, she kept a smile on her face and accepted that she will be back and better than ever. She didn’t let this incident tear her down and she maintained her positive character throughout her entire recovery process. Seven months later, she was finally able to get back to the sports she loved. She was ecstatic and enjoying every moment she could. However, not even 4 months later, she injured her other foot, which also had an extra bone in it. Almost a year to the day of surgery on one foot, she had the same surgery on her other. While all of her friends and teammates were out having fun and playing sports, she was once again stuck inside on crutches and doing physical therapy. But instead of being upset, she put all of her energy into rehab and finished an entire month ahead of schedule! Her determination to push through and come out stronger is a testament to her character. It takes courage, resilience, and willpower to bounce back from a difficult situation, and she taught me how to do so without complaints, and while always maintaining a smile on her face through difficult times. She is a shining example of perseverance and a source of inspiration for those who face similar challenges. Even when things don’t go as planned, she remains focused and committed to her goals, constantly seeking new solutions and strategies to overcome any obstacles that come her way. Her unwavering determination and strong work ethic are qualities that I aspire to derive from her.

I have always loved building things- from science and Lego kits, to helping my dad renovate rooms or build an ice rink in our backyard, to hanging a swing from the ceiling in my bedroom. These experiences, combined with my curiosity about how things work together and how small, seemingly insignificant parts come together to create something entirely different, have given me a love of learning itself. This continued curiosity has motivated me to research everything from how the curve of a stick blade impacts the physics of an ice hockey slapshot to the makings of everyday items. Thus, I have always been drawn to STEM classes and hands-on activities, and throughout high school, my course load reflected this. I began attending high school for math in 7th grade, and I continued to challenge myself throughout high school taking Honors, AP, and IB level math classes. I have been a member of Mu Alpha Theta since freshman year, and I have been a math tutor since sophomore year. Similarly, I took Honors, AP, and IB level science courses every year, and currently am simultaneously taking two science courses- AP Biology and Forensics Honors. In addition, I took an Introduction to Engineering Honors class freshman year learning about architecture, mechanics, and the principles of engineering. All of these have led to my love of aviation. I have always been fascinated by planes and the mechanics behind how they fly. I am excited to start to pursue my degree in Aviation Flight Science. Technology benefits our society and the economy in so many ways. To start, innovation in technology drives advancements not only within STEM fields but also in other disciplines, leading to new industries and job opportunities, in turn stimulating continued economic growth and productivity. Technology is also essential in addressing and creating solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges, leading to a more sustainable, healthier, and resilient society. An education in STEM teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills, how to analyze information, and how to collaborate and communicate with others. It embraces creativity, curiosity, and, perhaps most importantly, a growth mindset that doesn’t see mistakes as failures but rather as learning opportunities and steps in the right direction. Technology moves us forward as a society, makes the impossible possible, and puts no limits on the future.

There have been many driving factors behind my decision to get my degree in Aviation Flight Science. I have always been drawn to STEM classes and hands-on STEM activities, and throughout high school, my course load reflected this. I began attending high school for math courses in 7th grade, and I continued to challenge myself throughout high school taking Honors, AP, and IB level math classes. I have been a member of Mu Alpha Theta since freshman year, and I have been a math tutor since sophomore year. Similarly, I took Honors, AP, and IB level science courses every year, and currently in my senior year, I am simultaneously taking two science courses- AP Biology and Forensics Honors. In addition, I took an Introduction to Engineering Honors class my freshman year learning about architecture, mechanics, and the principles of engineering. Additionally, I have always loved hands-on building things- from science and Lego kits, to helping my dad renovate rooms or build an ice rink in our backyard, to hanging a swing from the ceiling in my bedroom. I have such an appreciation for the complexities of operating aircraft controls, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and navigating through different weather conditions further influences my desire to work in a STEM field that allows me to be hands-on. Lastly, traveling has always been a passion of mine. The thrill of exploring new destinations, experiencing diverse cultures, and witnessing breathtaking landscapes inspire my plans to explore as many countries as possible. As a woman pursuing a career in a STEM field, I feel strongly about the need for women to have a leadership role in aviation. Diversity in the field of transportation will lead to more effective, creative, and flexible solutions to complex challenges. Diverse groups of people bring a wide range of perspectives, background experiences, knowledge, and innovative ideas. Giving everyone a “seat at the table” demonstrates a commitment to the belief that everyone has something of value to offer, and celebrates and embraces differences all while alleviating disparities and getting us all closer to social equity. I want to serve as a role model and a leader for girls and other young women who want to follow their dreams, even if they are considered unconventional or in male-dominated fields. My involvement in many service-based clubs in school provided me with the opportunity to participate in a variety of volunteer activities both at school and in my community. I have been a part of National Honor Society as well as Mu Alpha Theta (Math National Honor Society), and Student Government since my sophomore year. These groups have allowed me to participate in peer tutoring, planting trees around my community, and working as a school ambassador at different school sponsored events. I have also had the opportunity to connect with different organizations and people in my community. This includes MLK days of service, assisting with the preparation of care packages for the National Council of Jewish Women, wrapping donated holiday gifts for adults with intellectual disabilities living in group homes, and volunteering at the Homewood Science Center by setting up pop up shops and preparing take home science packets for children in the local community. I have volunteered at the HIFE (Hockey is for Everyone) annual 8-week programs, Girls' World Hockey Day, and have been an on-ice assistant coach to my younger sister's hockey teams. In addition, I have also volunteered for Service Saturdays with my fellow parishioners at Infant Jesus of Prague Parish, working in the community garden, assisting at a food pantry, and serving dinner at PADS to homeless gentlemen.

There have been many driving factors behind my decision to become a pilot. I have always loved building things- from science and Lego kits, to helping my dad renovate rooms or build an ice rink in our backyard, to hanging a swing from the ceiling in my bedroom. These experiences, combined with my curiosity about how things work together and how small, seemingly insignificant parts come together to create something entirely different, have always fascinated me. This love for science, technology, and engineering grew my passion for aviation. My grandfather is also an airline mechanic for American Airlines and introduced me to planes and the science behind them from a young age, igniting my curiosity and admiration. I am drawn to the idea of becoming a pilot as opposed to other careers in the aviation field as it combines my love for hands-on work and traveling, allowing me to pursue my passion while exploring the world from above. As I have always been drawn to STEM classes and hands-on activities, and throughout high school, my course load reflected this. I began attending high school for math in 7th grade, and I continued to challenge myself throughout high school taking Honors, AP, and IB level math classes. I have been a member of Mu Alpha Theta since freshman year, and I have been a math tutor since sophomore year. Similarly, I took Honors, AP, and IB level science courses every year, and currently am simultaneously taking two science courses- AP Biology and Forensics Honors. In addition, I took an Introduction to Engineering Honors class freshman year learning about architecture, mechanics, and the principles of engineering. All of these have continued to fuel my passion for the field of aviation. I plan to pursue my dreams at Western Michigan University. WMU has a top tier aviation program and has an Honors College that will challenge me academically, offers the opportunity to study abroad, and provides a wide range of social and volunteer opportunities. I plan to study Aviation Management Flight Science with the goal of becoming a commercial pilot. In addition, I want to obtain my FAA Flight Dispatcher License. As a woman pursuing a career in a STEM field, I feel strongly about the need for women to have a leadership role. Diversity in the field of transportation will lead to more effective, creative, and flexible solutions to complex challenges. Diverse groups of people bring a wide range of perspectives, background experiences, knowledge, and innovative ideas. Multiculturalism and gender diversity also promotes inclusivity and representativeness. It is essential for the STEM fields to represent the demographic of the population it serves in order to achieve technological advancement that address all cultural considerations and remove biases. Giving everyone a “seat at the table” demonstrates a commitment to the belief that everyone has something of value to offer, and celebrates and embraces differences all while alleviating disparities and getting us all closer to social equity. I want to serve as a role model and a leader for girls and other young women who want to follow their dreams, even if they are considered unconventional or in male dominated fields.

I have always loved building things- from science and Lego kits, to helping my dad renovate rooms or build an ice rink in our backyard, to hanging a swing from the ceiling in my bedroom. These experiences, combined with my curiosity about how things work together and how small, seemingly insignificant parts come together to create something entirely different, have given me a love of learning itself. This continued curiosity has motivated me to research everything from how the curve of a stick blade impacts the physics of an ice hockey slapshot to the makings of everyday items. Thus, I have always been drawn to STEM classes and hands-on activities, and throughout high school, my course load reflected this. I began attending high school for math in 7th grade, and I continued to challenge myself throughout high school taking Honors, AP, and IB level math classes. I have been a member of Mu Alpha Theta since freshman year, and I have been a math tutor since sophomore year. Similarly, I took Honors, AP, and IB level science courses every year, and currently am simultaneously taking two science courses- AP Biology and Forensics Honors. In addition, I took an Introduction to Engineering Honors class freshman year learning about architecture, mechanics, and the principles of engineering. All of these have led to my love of aviation. I have always been fascinated by planes and the mechanics behind how they fly. I am excited to start to pursue my degree in Aviation Flight Science. Technology benefits our society and the economy in so many ways. To start, innovation in technology drives advancements not only within STEM fields but also in other disciplines, leading to new industries and job opportunities, in turn stimulating continued economic growth and productivity. Technology is also essential in addressing and creating solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges, leading to a more sustainable, healthier, and resilient society. An education in STEM teaches critical thinking and problem solving skills, how to analyze information, and how to collaborate and communicate with others. It embraces creativity, curiosity, and, perhaps most importantly, a growth mindset that doesn’t see mistakes as failures but rather as learning opportunities and steps in the right direction. Technology moves us forward as a society, makes the impossible possible, and puts no limits on the future.