I can't believe final presentation night is over. All the work that I put in for this one event has paid off. I still remember the first day I walked into ISM. I was scared and didn't know if I would fit in with the class but every day that I was in the class, I grew and I discovered myself. All my life, I believed that I wasn't capable of achieving my dreams because of the extremely competitive group of people that I was part of. However, Mr.Wysong and his class showed me otherwise. He pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to reach new heights. Also, he took the risk of allowing me to have a mentor all the way in Houston because he wanted me to have the best possible guidance. He wanted me to fulfill my dream of working at NASA. Because of that belief, I got to do things that no sixteen year old would do. For that, thank you, Mr. Wysong. I was really looking forward to another year of ISM with Mr. Wysong being the teacher again but that, unfortunately, won't happen. When I was at NASA in March, I found out that this would be the last year Mr.Wysong was teaching. As soon as I found out this news from my fellow peers, I cried in the hotel bathroom. Prior to this, I didn't realize how much influence one person can have on another until that day. Mr. Wysong had changed my life. He gave me a chance for my future and for that, I am forever indebted to him. Though he is leaving Liberty, I am so happy that he is fulfilling his own dream of being CEO of Tumbleweed Textiles. I have no doubt that he will have a successful future. I would also like to thank Mr. Harkins for helping me out so much this year. He saw my passion for space and motivated me to reach the stars. Because of him, I am getting the opportunity to do an internship at NASA in June. How many high school students can say that? I am so happy that Mr. Harkins is encouraging young girls to have a career in STEM. He is changing the lives of many and I am looking forward to working with him in the future. My mentor is also an extraordinary person to whom I am also indebted to. Dr. Keprta is one of the most sweetest, intelligent, and inspiring people I have ever met. Dr. Keprta didn't have to be my mentor. She is already very successful and has a great job at NASA. What is in it for her when she has to mentor me? The answer is nothing. Yet, she has given up her time and energy just to make a little girl's dream come true. She has guided me in this adventure in one of the best ways possible. I don't know how to thank her. Not only did I find a great mentor, this year, I also found a great best friend. Dr. Keprta, thank you so much for taking me under your wing. I hope to continue working with you and I also hope to make you proud one day. Lastly, I would like to thank my wonderful parents. Mom...dad, what would I do without you both? I am who I am today because of you. Both of you have been my light in my darkest times. I can't thank you enough for gifting me the freedom to choose what I wanted to do with my life. I pray to god every day that every child in this world has parents like you both because you have made my life wonderful. I promise you that I will make the two of you proud. This year has truly been extraordinary. I never thought that I would get to work at NASA at such a young age but I did because of ISM. After FPN was over, I came home, laid down on my bed, and started crying. I cried because I was so happy about the things that I accomplished. I cried because I got to know some amazing individuals and I cried because I overcame my fear of failure. Though this ISM year has ended, my new life of me being a strong woman has just started.
