Brattican Scholarship

I plan to have a positive impact on the world by encouraging and inspiring women to pursue the trades. After high school, I will be attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor focused on the boys in the class and the boys did not offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work, too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. Something I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want to be a role model for younger women and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.