Ben Bonner Memorial Scholarship

Hello, my name is Jonathan Pressley and I am planning to pursue a career in automotive technology. I have worked as an automotive apprentice for four years and I have been a certified apprentice for one year. I have a background in automotive service and parts sales. I have worked in a local parts city store for two years. I have now begun working in their mechanic shop part-time. I have acquired a fair amount of my experience from B&J Auto and my father (Automotive Instructor at MHS). In addition to my experience, I acquired my ASE G1 maintenance and light repair certification in June of 2021. I have also earned my entry-level certification in electrical and brakes. I have applied to TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) in Elizabethton TN. I intend to get my master technician ASE certification; with this, I plan to own and operate my own shop and business. I became interested in the automotive industry through my father. My father has his own ASE certifications, owned his own shop, and is the automotive instructor at Mitchell High School, located in Bakersville NC. I've had experience dealing with the public and first-hand experience with running a business. I intend to go through TCAT’s automotive program and their heavy diesel programs. I have personally built many custom classic cars and have one of my own. I enjoy new and old cars and I am impartial to domestic, imported cars, and trucks. I would like to focus my own business on modifying and installing aftermarket parts. I would also like to install radio and sound systems. In conclusion, I would like to thank you for this opportunity. By giving me the chance to earn this scholarship, you will help lighten my financial burden, which will allow me to focus more on school. The generosity you have shown me has inspired me to help others in the community; which I hope to do by owning my own business. I hope I will also be able to help other students in the future, strive for their goals, and never give up.

I am a Latino that was born in Burnsville , North Carolina. Growing up working on days with my father where it would seem impossible to work is something that I will never forget. Throughout my life my dad would tell me ´´son this is not the way of living that I want for you´´, It made me realize that my dad has pushed himself for me and my family. Saturday afternoon blazing sun, me and my dad are working on Mr. Bill's garden who my dad´s known for many years. I am carrying a rock that weighs about 100 pounds to my dad. When I laid my rock down Mr. Bill comes out with his wife and asks my dad how our house was coming along. My dad starts talking about how we have not started yet, due to prices being so high in the building material industry. Mr Bill and his wife went inside and talked. I assumed they came back out and told my dad ¨Frankie you've been working for us for over 20 years and we want to give you back a gift for your dedication to us¨. When the couple gave my family the $20,000 I thought wow how is this possible? I looked back at the times I could have donated back to people and helped others out. This showed me that I should give to others who are in need of love. The money has already started helping us. We've spent it on grading our land. When reflecting, I thought to myself, I should pay back that $20,000 in the future to spread the love that they had in offering my family the same. In the future I plan to make a business that spreads love and donates to those in need. This is why I want to pursue a career in construction management. Seeing the relationships my dad gained by putting love and hard work in his jobs made me love what I do. I am passionate about construction, watching something being built from the ground up is truly amazing. Since I was a little boy I always had a thing for demolition and building things. I also love to be doing hands on and showing people things I have learned, and how things can be done in a more faster and efficient way. The trade of Construction management is something that drives me because I can manage a jobs time frame and ensure that things will be done in a certain time. I would like to give back to my community when I achieve my career pathway by giving out scholarships since I will know that they can help someone in need just as they done for me. Also something that I would really like to do for my community in the future is fund for more buildings that would allow students that are wanting to pursue any trade, to have more hands on experiences.