This piece demonstrates how past women have paved the way for me as a future military leader. As an aspiring cadet and junior in high school, countless USAFA women have motivated me to redefine what I thought was possible, being both my cheerleaders and inspiration in my challenging pursuits. My former volleyball coach and current mentor and supporter, Molly Stowers, is who I dedicated this work to. She is a source of inspiration to me, and has demonstrated how the qualities of grit and integrity can not only bring individual success, but inspire others to pursue excellence as well. In the same way that single raindrops fall to form rushing bodies of water, USAFA women have established currents of powerful leadership and opportunity. The same people have also formed a stabilizing “root system” in my life, portrayed as the aspen trees that are known for beauty and communal strength.