MY ROCKETRY JOURNEY

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 Over the past three years, I've built and launched rockets, learned from every flight, and competed in The American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) — the world’s largest student rocketry competition.

Here’s a look at my journey from TARC 2023 to becoming a National Finalist in 2025 — and now, a mentor supporting other student teams across the Bay Area

 My first year in the American Rocketry Challenge introduced me to the fundamentals of rocket design, stability, construction, testing, and teamwork.

There was a lot to learn, and not every flight went as planned. Those early successes and failures became the foundation for everything that followed.

 With a year of experience behind me, I focused on improving our designs, build techniques, and use of simulation tools such as OpenRocket.

Our team continued testing, iterating, and learning how small design decisions could make a significant difference in flight performance.

 After three years of designing, testing, and learning, our team qualified for the 2025 American Rocketry Challenge National Finals.

Reaching Nationals was an unforgettable milestone. More importantly, the journey taught me about engineering iteration, teamwork, leadership, project management, and perseverance — lessons that continue to shape how I approach engineering today.

 In February 2026, I earned my NAR Level 2 High-Power Rocketry Certification, continuing to expand my experience beyond competition rocketry.

High-power rocketry gave me another opportunity to apply careful planning, construction, safety, and technical problem-solving to increasingly capable rockets.

 The experiences I gained through competitive and high-power rocketry helped shape my decision to pursue Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

As I begin this next chapter, I look forward to expanding my engineering knowledge, taking on new projects, and exploring new areas of aerospace. I also hope to continue supporting student rocketry and STEM outreach when my academic schedule allows.

My rocketry journey isn't finished — it's evolving.