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| Encouraging more women and girls to have an interest in aviation... |
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Christine:
Have you ever dared to dream the impossible dream, to try and reach the unreachable star?
The song The Impossible Dream from the Broadway play Man of La Mancha sings to my vision.
My childhood reverie challenges the improbable because it is not yet technically possible. My
dream is to go to Mars in search of knowledge and to travel the universe. A visit to the
Kennedy Space Center when only eight years old, initiated my dream of being an astronaut. It
was cemented after earning a scholarship to attend a week at Space Camp, Florida in 2001.
There, my counselors awarded me the “Most Outstanding Camper” metal. My astronaut role
model is Eileen Collins, the first woman space shuttle pilot and commander. Following in her
footsteps, I hope to sail the solar winds of outer space.
The new engineering, technology and science discoveries required to fly to the planets and
sustain life will improve communication, transportation, agriculture and medicine for those living
on earth. I want to be a part of those discoveries. With the help of the Girls With Wings
Scholarship, I believe that learning to fly an airplane will be one small step for me before my
giant leap into a spacecraft.
I had always been home schooled and for my first educational institutional experience, at 14
years old, I became a student at Florida Atlantic University High School. One of the things that
makes this so unusual is that I jumped 100% into college my high school freshman year.
College is challenging and it was certainly different going from being in a classroom with just
myself to one with 300 other Chem students, all 19 years old or older, and I was taking college
chemistry without having high school chemistry! This rigorous program is a courageous
endeavor. I mention this because I think it gives you an indication of my willingness to take a
risk and enthusiasm for scholarship. When my friends talk about their goals, I advise all to go
for them, as you will never know what you can do if you don’t try.
The Civil Air Patrol, the volunteer Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, has provided me with
incredible opportunities to learn aerospace, develop skills and serve my country. The
organization is 90% male. I have had to prove myself over and over again. I have met each
challenge and recently obtained the Eaker Award, earning me the officer’s rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. I have been the squadron’s First Sergeant and Cadet Commander. In addition, I
have taken on leadership positions in the state and region, which has afforded me the even
greater opportunity to mentor young people. In each job, I teach, work to build cadets’
confidence and try to bring out each person’s best by recognizing his or her individual talents
and contributions. I am frequently called upon to speak at schools and events and have
addressed thousands of people. By setting the example with my actions and words, I
particularly try to encourage girls to get involved, try new things, take risks, go for the
promotion, and strive for the leadership position.
When things get overwhelming, I sometimes escape into my dream of flying beyond the
horizon, of floating in zero gravity, of walking on planets where the brave dare not go, of
reaching that unreachable star. My lofty imaginings of being an astronaut motivate me to
persevere through life’s challenges. My role model, Eileen Collins has shown me that
impossible dreams can come true, if we only dare to dream. I hope that the Girls With Wings
Scholarship will be a part of helping bring my dream to fruition. I know one day I will follow my
quest and travel to INFINITY AND BEYOND.
Have you ever dared to dream the impossible dream, to try and reach the unreachable star?
The song The Impossible Dream from the Broadway play Man of La Mancha sings to my vision.
My childhood reverie challenges the improbable because it is not yet technically possible. My
dream is to go to Mars in search of knowledge and to travel the universe. A visit to the
Kennedy Space Center when only eight years old, initiated my dream of being an astronaut. It
was cemented after earning a scholarship to attend a week at Space Camp, Florida in 2001.
There, my counselors awarded me the “Most Outstanding Camper” metal. My astronaut role
model is Eileen Collins, the first woman space shuttle pilot and commander. Following in her
footsteps, I hope to sail the solar winds of outer space.
The new engineering, technology and science discoveries required to fly to the planets and
sustain life will improve communication, transportation, agriculture and medicine for those living
on earth. I want to be a part of those discoveries. With the help of the Girls With Wings
Scholarship, I believe that learning to fly an airplane will be one small step for me before my
giant leap into a spacecraft.
I had always been home schooled and for my first educational institutional experience, at 14
years old, I became a student at Florida Atlantic University High School. One of the things that
makes this so unusual is that I jumped 100% into college my high school freshman year.
College is challenging and it was certainly different going from being in a classroom with just
myself to one with 300 other Chem students, all 19 years old or older, and I was taking college
chemistry without having high school chemistry! This rigorous program is a courageous
endeavor. I mention this because I think it gives you an indication of my willingness to take a
risk and enthusiasm for scholarship. When my friends talk about their goals, I advise all to go
for them, as you will never know what you can do if you don’t try.
The Civil Air Patrol, the volunteer Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, has provided me with
incredible opportunities to learn aerospace, develop skills and serve my country. The
organization is 90% male. I have had to prove myself over and over again. I have met each
challenge and recently obtained the Eaker Award, earning me the officer’s rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. I have been the squadron’s First Sergeant and Cadet Commander. In addition, I
have taken on leadership positions in the state and region, which has afforded me the even
greater opportunity to mentor young people. In each job, I teach, work to build cadets’
confidence and try to bring out each person’s best by recognizing his or her individual talents
and contributions. I am frequently called upon to speak at schools and events and have
addressed thousands of people. By setting the example with my actions and words, I
particularly try to encourage girls to get involved, try new things, take risks, go for the
promotion, and strive for the leadership position.
When things get overwhelming, I sometimes escape into my dream of flying beyond the
horizon, of floating in zero gravity, of walking on planets where the brave dare not go, of
reaching that unreachable star. My lofty imaginings of being an astronaut motivate me to
persevere through life’s challenges. My role model, Eileen Collins has shown me that
impossible dreams can come true, if we only dare to dream. I hope that the Girls With Wings
Scholarship will be a part of helping bring my dream to fruition. I know one day I will follow my
quest and travel to INFINITY AND BEYOND.
