I have had the pleasure of getting to know a truly exceptional Clearwater High School senior with some very unfortunate circumstances. The first time I met Angelina and asked her if she had any career goals, her answer was quick and concise: "I want to build rocket ships and send people to space." Angelina's passion for learning began as a young student when her gifted class visited one of the Challenger Learning Centers, established in the wake of the Challenger disaster and designed to inspire future STEM professionals. Her fascination with space evolved with a school project where she created a model of the planets and eventually narrowed to a very specific focus on spacecraft engineering.

To say that Angelina is a hard worker is an understatement. She is graduating from Clearwater High with a 3.6 GPA, which is by no means the top of her class. But when you take into account this achievement, combined with the fact that she works 30 hours a week to contribute to her family's financial needs, AND she regularly provides care for her 3 younger siblings, AND she spent much of her high school life living on the streets and in a shelter, it's a pretty remarkable accomplishment!! However, I think the most incredible thing about Angelina is her attitude. She is a beautiful ray of sunshine; full of optimism, gratitude and hope for the future. She doesn't cast blame for her circumstances or wallow in self-pity. She starts every day with a smile on her face, a loving heart and a determined work ethic. Angelina was accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University's College of Aeronautical Engineering and has diligently pursued scholarship opportunities but remains short about $20,000 per year which could likely prevent her from being able to attend. If you have a moment, and happen to have connections with an organization, foundation, individual or corporation that might want to help a really special young lady, I encourage you to read and share her essay below and this GofundMe link. She has become an important person in my life and I am a better for having known her! I have no doubt that one day, she will pay forward the good fortune and contributions she receives.

Her college essay:

My name is Angelina, and while I’ve faced more adversity than most teens ever should, I’ve never let my past define my future. My journey—from escaping abuse, surviving homelessness, and stepping up as a caregiver for my siblings—has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up. Through it all, I’ve held tight to one dream: becoming an aeronautical engineer. I plan to use my degree, combined with my life experiences, to uplift others, especially young girls like me who are told that dreams are out of reach.

Engineering, especially in the field of aerospace, represents to me the power of defying limits. While many see it as a technical discipline, I see it as a chance to rise above circumstances—literally and figuratively. The same grit it takes to solve complex engineering problems is the grit I’ve had to use every day just to survive. And now, I want to use that strength to build not just aircraft or systems, but a new reality for people who come from backgrounds like mine.

Despite the abuse, the bruises, and the nights spent sleeping on park benches, I’ve discovered that the human spirit can still triumph. I am living proof that broken beginnings don’t mean broken futures. Every hardship has taught me how to lead, how to persevere, and how to transform pain into purpose.

Growing up, I’ve seen how systems can fail—how the law didn’t protect us, how shelters were temporary, and how education often felt just out of reach. But I also saw how determination and community can change lives. I want to use my success in engineering to inspire others who’ve been silenced or sidelined. I want to speak at schools, mentor girls in STEM, and advocate for more inclusive opportunities in technical fields for low-income and marginalized youth.

One day, I hope to work at NASA or another aerospace organization, not just to design and innovate, but to represent. I want to be proof that a homeless Latina girl who worked full-time in high school and slept in parks can still reach the stars. My presence in that space would mean something—not just for me, but for every little girl who’s ever felt invisible.

I believe our past doesn’t limit us—it prepares us. My past has prepared me to lead, to empathize, and to solve problems not only in the world of engineering but in the world of humanity. My degree in aeronautical engineering will be more than a career path; it will be my launchpad to create change for others, just as I’ve fought to create change in my own life.