When I entered my second semester during my Freshman year at Embry-Riddle, I was very overconfident. I didn't take the time to learn from my mistakes from the previous semester, thus, I made the same mistakes. This caused me to burn out and almost failing my classes. I eventually found out what I was doing wrong midway through, and I managed to recover from failing my classes, better yet, I achieved a better GPA. However, my ultimate goal was to achieve my Private Pilot License by the end of the semester. With the mindset I had at the time, I had never studied the way I should have, thus, when the semi-finals came in, I was often surprised by the questions they were asking me, causing me to fail. It wasn't actually the finals, so I was still in the course, but by then, it was too late, in other words, I failed to achieve my goal. When that happened, I felt all sorts of regret, and disappointment in myself, not the mention that this is the first time I failed at something because I never failed before. I felt sorry for my parents and myself for being careless, especially in the aviation world. Today, I am working hard to study where I missed, and ask questions that I should've asked, to truly become a good pilot. As my dad said, a good pilot knows their airplane to the very little parts. I've made mistakes, and I've learned from them, and now I'm putting in the work to be a better man. I'm currently awaiting my interview for my first job to not only gain experience, but to also practice my discipline, which I hope that it will help me better prepare myself for my upcoming Sophomore year.

When I was a child, my passion for aviation was at an all-time high. From first seeing an airliner take off at an airport to witnessing the F-22 Raptor performing astonishing maneuvers at an Airshow. I established a vision, a dream, to become a guardian angel of our nation, a fighter pilot. By having the opportunity to be an Eagle at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, I get to have that chance to prove and develop myself to truly become a pilot, but my life from a child up to this point is complicated. For my whole life, I’ve been self-isolated from the rest of the world, only going out to do errands or going to school. I never pushed myself to the limits, I never gave myself goals. But my time in Civil Air Patrol, AFJROTC, and including my parent's advice has changed that. Today, I live by myself, with a roommate of course, but there are so many opportunities to make a difference that I want to make before I die. I'm not what I used to be anymore. I’ve always been afraid of talking to other people or taking on challenges my whole life, and I won’t run of them anymore. My family is continuing to work very hard to support me, and they’ve been doing so for my entire life. I want to support them just like they supported me, My parents are immigrants from Peru, who have given birth to their first-generation Peruvian-American son, that is, of course, me. I’m the only son of my parents, and they are the best parents I’vever had. It shaped my hopes to be better than I used to be, to be an evolution of what I once was while maintaining integrity for my friends and family.

Money has, and always will be a survival tool for society. As a result, this commodity must be used carefully and wisely. Money (a medium of exchange) is used every day in numerous ways. However, it is essential that one keeps track of how much they are paying for a good or service and how much they have remaining once these purchases are made. Money can help you in life, but that is only if it's used, saved, and perhaps invested correctly. We are all human and there are times when we can get greedy or off track in our monetary needs or purpose. I have learned this first hand. I've learned this the hard way in video games like Clash of Clans where I used up all of my gems on upgrades. By making this mistake, I hope to learn how to be more capable of handling my monetary responsibilities to myself.

When I was a kid I love airplanes! Their design, sound, and ability to go higher in the sky. I would go to airshows and visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where I learned about the term aviation, its purpose, and its growth. One day, one of my Dad’s friends showed him an airport where they offer flight lessons for those who want to become a pilot. My dad told me about it and we decided to visit the airport. Upon arrival, my parents had a conversation with the airport flight school’s top command, the Chief. The Chief agreed to give me a demo flight, where I would learn the reality of flight. I was amazed and decided to sign up for flight lessons where I would learn the airspace and its limitation. Many years later, I was close to my first solo when suddenly the airport closed. I looked for other airports to finish my studies, but I never decided what airport to choose, and it became overwhelming, part of it because of school. I felt lost, so I decided to disconnect myself from flight lessons to focus on school. At the time, I was a junior in high school, one of my classes was AFJROTC, a program where students learn to lead and be better people. In there, I was learning how to be a leader and learning life skills. In this program, I matured, got out of my shell more frequently to challenge myself for the upcoming future, and I learned the true definition of “Family”. By my senior year, I was selected to be in a leadership position where I would use what I’ve learned in my 1st year, and apply them to lead new cadets. I was aware that just because I earned a leadership position, doesn’t mean it’s the end, rather a new beginning. I continued to develop my character, leadership style, and many more. As the months went by, I grew more and more, developed my character to be a better man, while pushing myself to the limits, and breaking the invisible birdcage that has prevented me from reaching my full potential. Because of my evolvement, growth, and leadership. I earned my first and last medal in AFJROTC, The Purple Heart. It was a milestone for me, however, I was also aware that when I earn awards, it's not just a time to celebrate, but it’s also a time to reflect on my actions, asking myself how I earned such reward. Realizing that I still have ways to go, I continue to develop my character and leadership to this very day. To one day become the United States Air Force Fighter Pilot, my dream job, my ultimate goal. I always wanted to be a pilot, and I still want to become a pilot. Thanks to AFJROTC, I have developed a mindset that will prepare me for unforeseen futures that will come only in time.

During the year 2020, I began working with a friend during the summer. When the pandemic hit, I did not want my life to be about dwelling in my house all day. My friend, who runs a mini-business on landscaping, offered me a job to help him with his business. I accepted his offer. Since then, I began to learn what it’s like to have a job. As I kept coming back, I gradually learned that having a job isn’t just about earning money, it was also about life experiences and life skills. During my senior year, I applied and got accepted to Embry-RIddle, and found out how expensive the university is, and I started to work extra hard to earn and save enough money to be able to pay for university. My family is always very supportive and would do everything to allow me to achieve my goals. I would volunteer to work with my parents a few times a year, and I have learned the sacrifices they make, to support me, their only son. Nowadays, I take my job by heart, passionate about the working environment, motivate with a common goal, and demonstrate professionalism to my friend’s clients. My goal for my Freshman year is to have a refreshing start in a new environment where I can focus on my education without worrying too much about finances. Working wasn’t just about the money, it was also about learning leadership skills. When I first began, I was silent and rarely communicated. But as I gained more experience, I learned to communicate more and began to act like a team player. This allowed me to practice Workplace Readiness Skills such as Professionalism and teamwork. Where did I learn these skills? The answer comes from AFJROTC. In my Junior year, I joined AFJROTC. I was the most silent cadet in my entire team. Despite this, I am humble, wise, a listener, and a team player. These characteristics came into play when I participated in community service with them. However, I realize that being a silent leader has a disadvantage, being silent is good as a team player, but when that person is in a position of power, it is difficult for that person because it requires more communication. This was the case with me. To understand this next paragraph, I need to make clear some Air Force terms. In a nutshell, the Flight is another word for “Team”, the Flight Commander is like the manager and Flight Sergeant is like the supervisor. When I first became a Flight Sergeant, I was surprised in a mixed way. A part of me said that I was proud to be promoted to that position, but another part of me said that I didn’t earn it because I don’t have the qualifications. I wanted to tell Chief Kimberly Turner, who is my teacher, that I wasn’t ready for that position, but I didn’t have the guts to speak up. This was my main weakness, I was quiet, too quiet. I was a very shy person, which made it difficult to talk to other people. Whenever my Flight Commander asked me to speak to the Flight, I always made sure to make it very brief just so I can end the conversation quickly. This went on, even when I became Flight Commander, I was the most silent Flight Commander you would ever imagine. This was where my weakness was exploited, this made me very soft which in turn almost none of my cadets listened to me, which caused my former Flight Commander to have doubts about me. I realized this and I tried to fix it, however, I would always find myself pulling back into being soft again. At this point, I am going beyond the year 2020, however, I find it important to mention this because I feel like I’ve learned so much since my 1st year in AFJROTC, where the leadership skills I’ve learned were put into practice when I worked with my friend. I am more self-aware than I used to be. Today, I am dedicated to my goals, I stay determined at all costs, ensure that I keep my integrity, and I will never let my family down. If it wasn’t for my family’s sacrifice, my friend, and AFJROTC, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. As the only child of my parents, I could’ve easily been spoiled, however, my parents were disciplined and knew what was best for me. They would discipline me whenever I didn’t do something right, but no matter the cost, it was all for my well-being. I will never let you down, Mom and Dad.

“The Best Never Rest” The motto of the VA-821 AFJROTC. When I witnessed the examples of cadet leaders and my peers practice this motto, I felt inspired to become a leader. For the longest time, I have been living a boring life; I was lazy, reactive, and alone. When I first heard that my area has an AFJROTC unit, I immediately was interested in joining the program. Upon entering the classroom for the first time, it was pure silence, everything felt awkward at first until I saw a female cadet standing there looking at me. She was standing upright, her legs were shoulder-width apart, and her hands behind her back. The most important detail that I saw was that she had no emotion on her face, she looked like she was in the zone. That’s when I realized that I stepped into the right place, but my inspiration wasn’t there yet. In the first semester, my class was going over general knowledge such as the Air force song, the Cadet Creed, etc. Upon going over the motto, I felt a sense of inspiration when I read their motto. It states: “The Best Never Rest”, for cadets to accomplish this motto, they must establish: “Discipline thoughts, Discipline words, and Discipline actions.” At this point, I felt like I found the place to drive my inspiration. Throughout my first year, I have seen examples of this motto, always being there in the worst of times, never giving up no matter how challenging the objective, and always find solutions to a seemingly overwhelming problem. I always imagined being a leader who is humble, wise, self-composed, and caring. I am proud that I became someone bigger than myself, a leader. A leader who knows how to listen, a leader who is there for his followers, a leader who doesn’t speak much, but is humble and wise. A silent leader I am proud to have become. I never give up in the hardest of times, I take criticism by heart and use them to solve seemingly unchangeable problems, and I never rest until I have reached my life goal: Fighter Pilot. No matter where I am in life, my inspiration to keep moving forward and to aim higher. To continue growing no matter how old I am. I will never forget the motto of the VA-821 that gives cadets a purpose to give everything they got and to never give up. The motto, that serves me as an inspiration to keep moving forward and to aim high will always be: “The Best Never Rest.”

I felt ashamed of myself for not doing things right. During my 2nd semester of Junior year, virtual learning came to my county. This meant that I had to attend classes and do homework at home. The problem was that I often procrastinate. With virtual learning though, I couldn't do that. I was pressured to do my homework as if I was at middle school which made me frustrated. Still, I procrastinated, as a result, my grades plummeted. I never liked bad grades because they affect my future for my desired college, so I tried to recover it by using a homework agenda, but once again I neglected it. At the end of my third quarter, I looked at my grades, I was not satisfied. I felt anger and confusion inside of me. I questioned myself “Why is my strategy not working? What is going on? And why am I failing?” I talked to my parents about it at dinner. They said to me that everything I do is my responsibility and that if I want to fix my problems, I need to make sacrifices. As I laid in bed that night, I kept hearing the word in my head repeatedly saying, “Sacrifice.” I understood the meaning, but I never wanted to commit to it because I don’t like change. I talked to my parents about my concern the next morning and they said to me that it’s hard to make changes, but it’s what everyone goes through and it requires sacrifice. I heard the word once again and I realized that it was the only way to grow. At the beginning of the final quarter, I started small. First, I made small sacrifices, for instance, my parents usually cook breakfast every day, so each day I gradually came to the kitchen to cook myself breakfast before my parents could. As the days went by, I got used to cooking my own breakfast almost every day. As I made other small sacrifices, I realized that I was going to have to go against the big ones, one of them being procrastination. This was still a problem at the time, so I first tried to make a schedule, but it didn’t work. I was thinking of a solution during lunch and I remembered to always play my strengths. One of them being that I’m very responsible even without a schedule. In the following days, I would do homework during school and do late work after school. It worked for two weeks until one day I felt lazy to do anything, so I didn’t do any homework until late in the afternoon. I stayed up later than my sleep schedule and managed to get it all done before midnight. Virtual learning has helped me think more maturely. It has helped me work extra harder and to manage my time better to achieve my goals. If it wasn’t for 2020, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The way COVID impacted our lives has also impacted my life, which is pleasantly surprising to think about. I was always a homebody guy, but I never thought that virtual learning would finally allow me to act more maturely. To this day, I have improved a lot. Virtual learning is still a thing today, however, it only helps me more. I continue to use sacrifice as an answer to my adversity. To me, approaching the future requires more and more sacrifice. There may be a time where I establish a new habit, but eventually, there will be a time where I would have to put it aside. For the future, I shall strive to be better with sacrifices when necessary.