As the space enthusiast student I am, you can imagine my excitement when I was told by Michelle that I would be invited to attend and speak at the AIAA Sci-tech Forum. I burst out of my room and began sobbing as I told my family and friends.
As I live in a small border town, opportunities like these do not come often and having an opportunity like this is a once in a lifetime thing. I had been to Orlando twice, both times by myself with school, but I knew this time it was going to be so much better because I would have my family with me. Ultimately I am a little nervous to be speaking in front of such a big audience, as I have given speeches but not for events nearly this big. I am ultimately so proud and honored to represent my community, my culture and my family through my love of the industry and my passion for being a part of it.
Anyone that knows me, knows that for as long as I can remember I always said I want to work for NASA, and although now I’ve grown and realized there is so much more to the industry then just NASA, I still wear my NASA backpack with pride and still hope to have a place in it someday. At the conference I really hope to get to meet and network with anyone and everyone. One of the things I have learned from Michelle, but also my community is that it is important to know people and have your name out as sometimes it brings more opportunities.
I can’t wait to meet the other students attending and get to hear how their path lead them to this industry as well. I am also very excited to meet with Michelle again, as I haven’t seen her in over a year and we have tons to talk about. I am also very excited to share how I am working to bring Higher Orbits Go For Launch to my community and how hard I am working to get these opportunities I would’ve loved as a child to children now. I believe that as STEMists, it is our responsibility to learn how to help others in our community as well.
I am so ready to hop on a plane and be able to learn more about my passion and all the advancements that are being made to the industry. I am also truly excited to take my family along with me to experience this big opportunity as well.
Written By – Yuridia Sanchez
