The first time I visited Frosty Drew Observatory I was 13 years old. One week prior to my visit, I discovered that people were allowed to have real careers in astronomy and I was eager to learn more about the field. Through countless conversations and long nights stargazing with dedicated Frosty Drew enthusiasts, I fell in love with astronomy. To me, Frosty Drew was more than just an observatory; it was a unique community that facilitated personal growth and learning. One particularly memorable experience was talking with an astronomy student at the observatory who suggested that I learn to code. Through combining computer science and astronomy, she argued, we could advance our understanding of the universe and broaden our horizons.

Both that conversation, and my years of attending and volunteering at Frosty Drew encouraged me to pursue an astrophysics and computer science joint degree at Yale University. Building on the passion and interests first instilled in me at the observatory, I now conduct research on interstellar objects, quantum computing, and computational astrophysics. I still maintain my connection with Frosty Drew, making the 1.5 hour trek to the observatory every clear Friday night. My volunteer work at Frosty Drew enables me to observe the beauty and study the intricate dynamics of the night sky. I hope that Frosty Drew endures for future generations to take advantage of all that this special place has to offer.