“Curiosity killed the cat” is a common phrase warning that getting too curious can lead to trouble, but the phrase--scarcely said completely--continues with “but satisfaction brought it back”. Astrophysics demands curiosity, as it’s much more than a subject I study; it’s a science that we will never fully understand, and that’s what makes it so enticing, and what makes me so passionate. As someone driven by a love and passion to learn, this scholarship would allow me to pursue my passion for the unknown fully. Astrophysics challenges me to explore my passion through every opportunity, broadening my understanding, and enabling me to share it with others, and I will do everything possible to have the opportunity to learn to the best of my ability. Astrophysics has always fascinated me, not because of one defining moment, but because it’s incomprehensibly incredible. The thought of being able to understand black holes and perhaps change the laws of physics according to what we learn overwhelms me with excitement. Astrophysics is a field that challenges me to think beyond Earth and our laws of physics, and I’m driven to not only understand but make a difference. This scholarship would provide critical support as I continue to pursue academic opportunities and experiences related to Astrophysics. My passion for Astronomy drives me to seek out opportunities to learn for myself and educate others which can affect generations to come.  I've sought out every opportunity to discover and participate in anything I can. One of my primary teachers offered me an opportunity to work as a counselor at "Star Camp", which teaches others about astronomy, deeply and interactively. Since then, I've been ecstatic to combine my passion for Astronomy with my desire to share it. When I turn 16, I plan to volunteer two hours a week at my local planetarium to give back to the community by sharing my knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics. I'm also working on a STEM fair project, which is about taking and analyzing the spectroscopic data from Altair, Vega, and Mirach, and classifying each star into the Harvard classification system. After competing at my high school, I was selected to move to the district-level STEM fair, where I will compete alongside my peers. Additionally, I’m applying for a paid internship at Hill Air Force Base to learn about computer programming and aerospace engineering, both of which I’m eager to explore. These steps that I’m taking are ultimately to get into my dream university MIT, which teaches Astrophysics like no other university, and in the future work at an organization like NASA, which would allow me to make discoveries that can impact the entire world for the better. Astrophysics challenges me to explore my passion through every opportunity, broadening my understanding, and enabling me to share it with others. I’m determined to make an impact by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring future generations to embrace curiosity and innovation. My passion for Astronomy, fueled by future and present experiences like Star Camp and my STEM fair project, drives my passion and excitement to contribute and make Astronomical discoveries. With determination and dedication, I will discover and learn everything I can about Astronomy and Astrophysics, and pass this on to future generations and others eager to know and discover. This scholarship would immensely help me access the resources and education needed to achieve my dream and goal of making discoveries that impact and change the world. After all, the sky is not the limit-- it's the start.

“Curiosity killed the cat” is a common phrase warning that getting too curious can lead to trouble, but the phrase--scarcely said completely--continues with “but satisfaction brought it back”. Astrophysics demands curiosity, as it’s much more than a subject I study; it’s a science that we will never fully understand, and that’s what makes it so enticing. Astrophysics challenges me to explore my passion through every opportunity, broadening my understanding, and enabling me to share it with others. Astrophysics has always fascinated me, not because of one defining moment, but because it’s incomprehensibly incredible. The thought of being able to understand black holes and perhaps change the laws of physics according to what we learn overwhelms me with excitement. Astrophysics is a field that challenges me to think beyond Earth and our laws of physics, and I’m driven to not only understand but make a difference. My passion for Astronomy drives me to seek out opportunities to learn for myself and educate others which can affect generations to come. I've sought out every opportunity to discover and participate in anything I can. One of my primary teachers offered me an opportunity to work as a counselor at "Star Camp", which teaches others about astronomy, deeply and interactively. Since then, I've been ecstatic to combine my passion for Astronomy with my desire to share it. When I turn 16, I plan to volunteer two hours a week at my local planetarium to give back to the community by sharing my knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics. I'm also working on a STEM fair project, which is about taking and analyzing the spectroscopic data from Altair, Vega, and Mirach, and classifying each star into the Harvard classification system. After competing at my high school, I was selected to move to the district-level STEM fair, where I will compete alongside my peers. Additionally, I’m applying for a paid internship at Hill Air Force Base to learn about computer programming and aerospace engineering, both of which I’m eager to explore. These steps that I’m taking are ultimately to get into my dream university MIT, which teaches Astrophysics like no other university, and in the future work at an organization like NASA, which would allow me to make discoveries that can impact the entire world for the better. Astrophysics challenges me to explore my passion through every opportunity, broadening my understanding, and enabling me to share it with others. I’m determined to make an impact by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring future generations to embrace curiosity and innovation. My passion for Astronomy, fueled by future and present experiences like Star Camp and my STEM fair project, drives my passion and excitement to contribute and make Astronomical discoveries. With determination and dedication, I will discover and learn everything I can about Astronomy and Astrophysics, and pass this on to future generations and others eager to know and discover. After all, the sky is not the limit-- it's the start.

“Curiosity killed the cat” is a common phrase warning that getting too curious can lead to trouble, but the phrase continues with “but satisfaction brought it back”. Astrophysics demands curiosity, as it’s much more than a subject I study; it’s a science that we will never fully understand, and that’s what makes it so enticing. Astrophysics challenges me to explore my passion through every opportunity, broadening my understanding, and enabling me to share it with others. Astrophysics has always fascinated me, not because of one defining moment, but because it’s incomprehensibly incredible. The thought of being able to understand black holes and perhaps change the laws of physics according to what we learn overwhelms me with excitement. Astrophysics is a field that challenges me to think beyond Earth and our laws of physics, and I’m driven to not only understand but make a difference. My passion for Astronomy drives me to seek out opportunities to learn for myself and educate others which can affect generations to come. I've sought out every opportunity to discover and participate in anything I can. One of my primary teachers offered me an opportunity to work as a counselor at "Star Camp", which teaches others about astronomy, deeply and interactively. Since then, I've been ecstatic to combine my passion for Astronomy with my desire to share it. When I turn 16, I plan to volunteer two hours a week at my local planetarium to give back to the community by sharing my knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics. I'm also working on a STEM fair project, which is about taking and analyzing the spectroscopic data from Altair, Vega, and Mirach, and classifying each star into the Harvard classification system. After competing at my high school, I was selected to move to the district-level STEM fair, where I will compete alongside my peers. Additionally, I’m applying for a paid internship at Hill Air Force Base to learn about computer programming and aerospace engineering, both of which I’m eager to explore. These steps that I’m taking are ultimately to get into my dream university MIT, which teaches Astrophysics like no other university, and in the future work at an organization like NASA, which would allow me to make discoveries that can impact the entire world for the better. Astrophysics challenges me to explore my passion through every opportunity, broadening my understanding, and enabling me to share it with others. I’m determined to make an impact by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring future generations to embrace curiosity and innovation. My passion for Astronomy, fueled by future and present experiences like Star Camp and my STEM fair project, drives my passion and excitement to contribute and make Astronomical discoveries. With determination and dedication, I will discover and learn everything I can about Astronomy and Astrophysics, and pass this on to future generations and others eager to know and discover. After all, the sky is not the limit-- it's the start.

I bounce the ball. Once. Twice. “Thirty-forty,” I say as I toss the tennis ball high. The sun’s rays taunt me as my right arm swings down, launching the tennis ball across the court. My legs are shaking, and my hands are trembling, but my eyes are laser-focused on the ball as my opponent swings her racket to return the ball. I lost this game, but it was the hardest game I’ve ever played, and I’ve learned a lot from it. Like any other sport, tennis is physically and mentally challenging, and you need to be stubborn enough to persevere through a match, despite losing. Being able to give insight to other peers has helped me build my self-confidence, as well as helped others build their own. Playing tennis in high school has shaped me into a resilient, determined, and stubborn individual, and has helped inspire me to help others embrace failure and get back up despite falling. Every student-athlete knows what it means to train until you’re drenched in sweat and maybe bleeding a little. In tennis (singles), you can’t rely on anyone else, you have to be able to sprint up and down the court and have lightning-fast reflexes. Being physically ready for a sport is immensely important, but your mentality can be a game changer. Our brain often quits before our body does, which is why pushing through is vital, even when you want to stop. Winning brings immense rewards for the effort invested, which validates. Losing creates self-doubt, but it’s vital to learn. After multiple losses, you learn to overcome self-doubt and anger, using those feelings to improve your performance instead. Learning to fall and get back up has made me resilient, which is one of the most important lessons tennis has taught me that applies beyond the court. One of my best friends plays tennis, and we love to go out and play. Sometimes I struggle and she gives me tips that really help me, and other times I do the same for her. Being able to see people take your advice and not only trust you enough to implement it into their plays but improve from it, is one of the most rewarding feelings ever. My resilience in tennis is something that both my coaches and teammates have taken notice of, and being able to help them with those soft skills has really helped me build self-confidence and confidence in my peers. Being able to inspire others by teaching them the importance of grit and learning from failure and mistakes is something that I love teaching people even though I’m not the best tennis player in the world. Being able to teach others to apply these soft skills not just in tennis but in their lives is also something that I deeply cherish. Playing tennis in high school has shaped me into a resilient, determined, and stubborn individual, and has helped inspire me to help others embrace failure and get back up despite falling. The challenges I’ve faced playing tennis have helped shape who I am today. These seemingly negative experiences have greatly influenced my life positively, as I now know how to take failure and turn it into fuel, rather than let it consume me till I quit. Being able to impact and influence others has also helped me build self-confidence, as well as help my peers around me. Learning to have grit, determination, and resilience are things that aren't measured by the scoreboard, but by my actions to get back up, no matter how many times I fall.

I bounce the ball. Once. Twice. “Thirty-forty,” I say as I toss the tennis ball high. The sun’s rays taunt me as my right arm swings down, launching the tennis ball across the court. My legs are shaking, and my hands are trembling, but my eyes are laser-focused on the ball as my opponent swings her racket to return the ball. I lost this game, but it was the hardest game I’ve ever played, and I’ve learned a lot from it. Like any other sport, tennis is physically and mentally challenging, and you need to be stubborn enough to persevere through a match, despite losing. Playing tennis in high school has taught me grit, determination, and how to navigate frustration, which are skills that extend far beyond the court. Every student-athlete knows what it means to train until you’re drenched in sweat and maybe bleeding a little. In my experience playing tennis, you run till your lungs are screaming, or until your legs and arms are begging you to rest; however these feelings are only temporary, and the reward lasts a lot longer. Being physically ready for a sport is immensely important, but your mentality can be a game changer. Your brain always quits before your body does, which is why it’s so important to keep on going, even if you want to stop. Pushing away anger and ignoring self-doubt is something else you have to know how to do when playing any sport. Being able to learn how to manage all of these thoughts yet be able to keep a level head when in the game is one of the most important things that playing Tennis has taught me, and I’m eternally grateful for that. In tennis (singles), you can’t rely on anyone else, you have to be able to sprint up and down the court and have lightning-fast reflexes. Winning feels immensely rewarding, as you’ve put in so much effort and are now receiving validation that your training was worth it. Losing, however, gives you endless self-doubt, yet you can’t learn without it. After losing multiple times in a row, you learn how to ignore self-doubt and anger, but if seemingly impossible, use that to help you play better instead. Being able to develop grit is another factor that has made me a lot more confident in myself during matches. I’m a rather stubborn person, but I know that winning comes through hard work. Being able to fall and get back up again has helped me become resilient and learn how to bounce back, despite a great fall. Tennis has made me determined to learn, persevere and not give up ever. Being able to persevere through a rough match due to grit and resilience is something that you don’t learn easily, but changes the game both in tennis and in life. Playing tennis in high school has taught me grit, determination, and how to navigate frustration, which are skills that extend far beyond the court. The challenges I’ve faced playing tennis have helped shape who I am today. Without feeling the self doubt and frustration of losing multiple matches in a row, I would have never learned what it means to get back up despite everything. These seemingly negative experiences have greatly influenced my life positively, as I now know how to take failure and turn it into fuel, rather than let it consume me till I quit. Learning to have grit, determination, and resilience are things that aren't measured by the scoreboard, but by my actions to get back up, no matter how many times I fall.

I’m sitting at the kitchen table, my parents looking at each other excitedly. They’ve called the whole family to the kitchen table, the whole family unbeknownst to why. I instantly notice Papi holding an envelope, along with both of Mami’s hands. Once all eight family members gather at the kitchen table, Papi shows Mami a light-green credit card-sized item, and ecstatically announces that he’s finally gotten his green card. After decades of waiting, he is now a permanent resident of the United States of America. All eight family members are beyond elated, some of us even cry, unable to express our emotions in another way. After everyone has calmed down a little, my Papi goes on to say that this has always been something in the back of his mind. After 25 years, that nagging feeling of worry and stress that comes after every breath of fresh air is just… gone. A month later, my Mami gets the same envelope, along with the same reactions my Papi received. These moments of utter accomplishment and joy have given me enough reason to persevere and chase after every single one of my goals, no matter how rigorous or impossible they may seem. If you or your close family have immigrated from another country to the United States, you know the gut-wrenching feeling of worry and stress that comes with the process of obtaining permanent residency and citizenship. My parents -- born and raised in Lima, Peru -- immigrated twenty-five years ago to the United States, due to the loss of my grandfather. Throughout the immigration process, living in the US has been very hard on my entire family, especially when it comes to money. Being considered “poor” my whole life, my parents would always make sure that my siblings and I were aware that there were things we couldn’t afford, and to not ask for things left and right. Visiting different friend’s houses was always a difficult feeling of longing and envy, and watching them get gifts I could never let myself even fathom getting always left a stinging feeling in my heart; however I wouldn’t change this even if I could. Even though I envy the expensive gifts some people receive, I never envy how nonchalant some people feel about the little things -- simple things that still bring me joy. Despite my family’s financial situation, we've always been able to meet our basic needs. We've been fortunate enough to qualify for programs that provide free or reduced-cost food, medical expenses, sports or club fees, electronics, school supplies, etc., which is something my family has thankfully been able to reply upon. Above all, our family thanks God for making it possible to have everything we need. Something I admire about my parents is that even though we were poor, they’d always invest money if they could tell that we were passionate about it, which included my love for astronomy and science. Ever since I was little, I’ve always had a deep passion for everything astronomy: stars, nebulae, planets, black holes, anything related to space. I’ve also always had the big dream of being an Astrophysicist at NASA, and along with that, getting accepted and attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. I usually avoid telling this to people, as failing something important is one of my biggest insecurities and fears. Because of this, I’ve reached for every available astronomy/STEM-based opportunity that has come my way, to reach my goals and dive deeper into Astronomy and other STEM-related fields. In 9th grade, I took the only STEM-related class there was, which was Project Lead The Way (PLTW), in which I had to travel to a non-boundary high school to take it. This class was a mix of Physics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, and a lot of other STEM topics that I thoroughly enjoyed learning, even though I had to wake up extra early to get to the non-boundary high school (this part may have not been my favorite). After taking this class, I’ve become dedicated to expanding my knowledge in astronomy and or STEM, which can be reflected in a variety of things I’ve worked/am working on. In my current STEM project, I used various telescopic and data recording equipment to capture the elemental Spectra of Vega, Altair, and Mirach, which I then used to determine their chemical compositions and relative temperatures using RSpec Software. This project has allowed me to independently research topics (such as the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and the emission spectra of various elements) and has taught me how to understand and use new software. I’m also taking multiple college-level computer science classes, as I’ve always been interested in coding, and would regularly code in my free time starting 8th grade. Because of the classes, I will receive a college-level certificate in computer programming and cyber security in my Junior year. In addition to my academic goals, I want to give back to my community by volunteering at a local planetarium. This opportunity will broaden my understanding of astronomy, as well as allow me to share my passion with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Graduating from MIT, becoming an astrophysicist at NASA, and pushing the limits of astronomical knowledge, are my ultimate goals. Growing up with immigrant parents, I’ve experienced firsthand what it means to persevere in the face of seemingly impossible trials, whether it be personal or financial. Growing up in different circumstances has taught me a variety of valuable things, and has increased my determination to pursue Astronomy and other STEM-related things like nothing else has. Through my different goals and experiences, I am determined to pursue my passion for Astronomy and make a difference in the world we live in. I want to give opportunities to anyone, regardless of their circumstance, as caring people have done for me. I am determined to demonstrate that despite your background, one's passion and determination can make a real difference.