Be Skilled Find Success Scholarship

My sincere desire to become an esthetician is in large part due to my personal struggle, story and transformation. As a young teen, I struggled with my appearance, specifically, my skin. I just did not feel attractive. I was very insecure and did not think that any of my peers would like me nor would they want to become friends with me. In a world where people are always taking selfies and making posts, I shied away from cameras and social activities because I did not want to be photographed. I became very depressed and even entertained suicidal thoughts as a way to relieve the pain. Thankfully, God allowed my best friend to speak to me in my darkest moment, speaking encouragement into me, showing me love and compassion. From that time forward, I learned how to take care of my skin and gained real confidence in myself. I no longer see myself through a negative lens. I am filled with positivity, and I walk around with a smile. Now, I am able to feel good in the skin I’m in, take excellent care of myself, and look for ways to help others do the same. My self-worth has increased so much that I have done some modeling last summer for a couple of local designers and participated at a fashion show at my church. For me, becoming an esthetician is not just about helping people to look beautiful, I want to help people feel beautiful. I graduate from Banneker High School in Atlanta, Georgia on May 14, 2025 with a 3.4 GPA. I have already been accepted into Ogle Beauty school and will begin on September 8, 2025. I applied on my own and completed the interview process. I will be the first person in my family to attend a trade school and I am very excited about my future. I researched several beauty school options and decided on Ogle because they had 98% licensure rate, a 87% graduation rate, and almost 80% job placement rate. The reviews were very positive and they recently opened a new campus in Atlanta, Georgia. My biggest inspiration is my Granny. She loves me unconditionally and we are very close. She is amazing; like a super hero to me. She is always supportive; shows up at every school, church, or volunteer event that I participate in. She's loved by my friends, neighbors, and community. She has such a big heart and is such a caring person. Almost every Sunday, she cooks large meals and invites family and friends over to feed their bellies and their souls. Some of the things I've learned from her are to have confidence in myself, demonstrate compassion toward others, and to look for ways to be of service while not expecting anything in return. I hope that you will choose me to receive this scholarship because I will study harder than anyone in my class. I'll ensure your investment in me will reap great benefits, not only for me, but for my clients & community. Completing my esthetic courses & obtaining my license will be a significant step in furthering a lifetime of learning, the beginning of my professional career, and allow for more opportunities for me to be of service to others. Receiving the scholarship will make my goals achievable & less of a financial struggle for me & my family. Thank you for your consideration.

I’ve chosen a career in Instrumentation because it gives me the opportunity to work with my hands, think critically, and be part of a field that is both essential and constantly evolving. I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work, fixing them, and understanding the systems behind them. Instrumentation brings all of that together, allowing me to develop a skill that can lead to a long-term career with stability, growth, and purpose. One of the biggest reasons I chose this path is because of my uncle, who has worked in Instrumentation for many years. He’s been a mentor to me both personally and professionally. I’ve looked up to him not just because of his success in the trade, but because of his work ethic, patience, and the pride he takes in doing the job right. Watching him build a career from the ground up and seeing how it allowed him to provide for his family and give back to others showed me what was possible if I committed myself. He’s taken the time to teach me about the trade, answer my questions, and encourage me to pursue it seriously. That mentorship has meant a lot to me, and it’s helped me feel confident that this is the right path. When I was deciding where to study, Perry Technical Institute stood out right away. Their high job placement rate and the success of their graduates were major factors in my decision. I’ve spoken with several people who went through Perry Tech’s Instrumentation program and went on to have fulfilling, well-paying careers. The school’s reputation for hands-on training, strong instructor support, and real-world preparation made it clear that this was the best place for me to start my journey. I want to attend a school that will challenge me, push me to be my best, and give me the skills I need to succeed in the field—and Perry Tech offers exactly that. Once I complete my training and start working, I want to give back by following my uncle’s example and helping others. Whether that means mentoring younger students, sharing knowledge with new apprentices, or volunteering my time to teach basic skills to high schoolers who are considering the trades, I want to be a positive influence. I know how important it is to have someone who believes in you and shows you what’s possible. I’ve had that, and I want to pass it on. Something else I’d like the committee to know is that I’m all in. I’m not doing this just for a paycheck—I’m doing it because I want to build something lasting, provide for my family, and grow into someone others can count on. Receiving the Be Skilled – Find Success Scholarship would help ease the financial pressure that comes with school, tools, and transportation, and it would allow me to focus fully on my education. But more than that, it would be a vote of confidence in my future—something I would carry with pride and gratitude.