Ever since I was a kid, I’ve looked up at the sky and felt that quiet pull — that need to understand what keeps an aircraft aloft, what drives an engine to thrust against gravity, and what allows a pilot to navigate a machine through the boundless blue. To me, aviation has always been more than a fascination; it’s a form of freedom, purpose, and endless discovery. My journey began humbly, sitting in my backyard watching planes disappear into the horizon. I used to imagine what it would feel like to be in the cockpit, with nothing but air and open space around me. Years later, that curiosity turned into reality when I started pursuing my Private Pilot License (PPL) and Glider License. Flying changed the way I see the world — not just physically, but mentally. The moment the wheels lift off the ground, everything feels weightless, and all that matters is precision, awareness, and respect for the forces at play. It taught me responsibility, focus, and humility — qualities that guide every part of my life. But my passion doesn’t stop at flying. I’m just as fascinated by what happens behind the scenes — the propulsion systems, aerodynamics, and innovations that make flight possible. As an aerospace engineering student at Purdue, I’ve worked on projects like Hall Effect Thrusters and Rotating Detonation Engines, exploring how sustainable propulsion could redefine the future of flight and space travel. I believe aviation should not only take us farther but also protect the planet that makes flight possible. That’s why I’m committed to designing cleaner, more efficient propulsion systems that will drive aviation — and eventually space exploration — into a sustainable future. Aviation, for me, is about connection. It connects physics to freedom, humanity to exploration, and dreams to reality. It connects people across continents, cultures, and languages — something I’ve always appreciated as someone who grew up bilingual and straddled two worlds, Taiwanese and American. The sky became my bridge between them, a reminder that distance can be conquered with enough determination and innovation. I’ve faced challenges along the way — from financial struggles to family hardships — but aviation has always given me a reason to keep pushing. Every hour spent studying aerodynamics or running propulsion tests reminds me why I started: to be part of something larger than myself. Whether I’m maintaining gliders, troubleshooting systems, or analyzing flight data, I’m reminded that aviation is not just a career path — it’s a lifelong pursuit of excellence, curiosity, and purpose. One day, I hope to start my own company focused on sustainable propulsion technologies, bridging the gap between aviation and space exploration. I want to help humanity reach deeper into the cosmos while keeping our footprint here on Earth light. Aviation has given me direction, discipline, and a dream worth chasing. It’s taught me that freedom isn’t just in the air — it’s in the courage to climb, the drive to innovate, and the responsibility to make every flight, every design, every moment count.