Mariah Benally

18, Navajo Nation  

My hopes for the future is to become the first Navajo astrophysicist for NASA, because ever since I was young- I have taken great interest in astronomy and physics throughout school. My future for my culture is to intertwine the Navajo culture into my understanding learning of astrophysics, and how I could come back to the Navajo reservation to be a motivation for students to pursue STEM and achieve their goals. I want to show through my art that I have a passion for astronomy and that I think universal about who I want to be for myself and my family.