For my eleventh birthday, my grandfather gifted me a telescope. It was not a fancy telescope, yet it was not a cheap one either. The quality was just decent enough for me to gaze at the starry night sky. The feeling I experienced when I looked through that telescope was unforgettable. For the first time in my life, I realized how insignificant my existence was in the ever-expanding universe. I was nothing more than a grain of sand forever lost in a desert that seemingly had no end. This feeling was very daunting for my eleven-year-old mind. However, it sparked a sense of curiosity within myself and forced me to ask, “What could possibly be out there?” I believe this experience was a calling. One that set me on the right path and aided me through my journey of self-discovery. While I do not have my entire life figured out just yet, I know one thing is for certain: My mind will forever linger above the clouds, yearning to be one with the universe. The seeds for my passion have been rooted in my childhood memories. Field trips to the Tellus Museum and Lockheed Martin Aviation Center sparked my curiosity and drew me closer to the depths of the universe. I recall spending hours in the museum’s planetarium, immersing myself in the cosmic scenery. The twinkling stars projected on the three-dimensional screen captivated my interest, allowing my imagination to transcend reality. It was as if each star was telling its own story, beckoning for me to listen. I heard the universe’s call and had to answer. As I grow older, my passion for space only intensifies. To think that we all started from a singular explosion spawning from literal nothingness is astonishing to me. The very concept of “nothing” creates existential angst and causes me to lose track of time. How could everything possibly come from nothing? What exactly is “nothing”? Has anything predated the existence of the universe? Questions such as these propel me into a continuous cycle of inquiry. This cycle is driven by a beacon of curiosity and can only further my hunger for knowledge. Curiosity is the single greatest trait we humans possess. It fuels our innate desire to explore the unknown. How did Isaac Newton discover the fundamental laws of physics? How did Albert Einstein add to these laws of physics with his Theory of General Relativity? Humanity's greatest achievements have all arisen from some kind of curiosity. It is only a matter of time before the next person extends their curiosity beyond our intellectual horizons. As I embark on my academic journey, I will use the education I receive in college to revolutionize the world. I envision a future where space exploration becomes the next milestone for humanity. Our mission to the moon was only the first step in the long journey we have ahead of us.