Brayden Blankley Memorial Scholarship

My name is Kaitlynne Grover. I plan on pursuing an education through a trade school so I can become an underwater welder. I do not know many people who are willing to foundry underwater welding, but I have always had a passion for water, and in my 9th-grade year, I got really into welding. I discovered that I could do both, so since then, I have been building my own way to achieve this balance and lead a fulfilling life. I also want to be able to look at people who told me I am picking the wrong thing and say I made it, without feeling like I didn't truly make it. My whole life, there has always been someone trying to knock me off my thing, but I have always pushed through and done what I believe I am made for. When I first joined Color Guard, I got told I would only last one year, so I lasted my whole High school life and did indoor guard. On top of that, I became the leader of the outdoor guard. I have full belief that if you think you can do something, you should put your one hundred and ten percent into it; more if you can. I will always, and I mean always, push myself to do the things people say I can't do, or won't do. I will never let myself be controlled by what people say I can't or can do. I know what I am able to give and do. I want to go to a trade school because it will push me even more, and sometimes we all need that push in life. We all need help to walk at times. So I will go to a trade school, and I will push myself to ask for help. I will state again that I want to do underwater welding. I have been told I am picking the wrong one, but this is who I am. This is who I will forever be. I do not plan on changing, nor do I want to. Being in the water was always a choice for me. I will get underwater welding one way or another. If that means I have to fight tooth and nail for it, I shall, but I will not let anything get in my way. I do hope people understand I am not in this for the money but for the passion I have for water and welding.

While society prioritizes four year college degrees, I believe that a career in the trades will give me a promising future. I plan to attend Rosedale Technical College for Automotive Technology after graduating high school this year. Choosing a technical college will allow me to have hands on training with instruction in an environment similar to my prospective work place. A career in the trades means schooling would be shorter and less costly than four years at a college or university. Trade schools focus on specific job related tasks and developing the skills needed for the future position. This type of training would enable me to be ready to step into my new job role immediately after graduation. I will be able to start earning an income sooner than others my age and with less debt from student loans. With the ability to gain an associate's degree in under two years, a trade school will also allow me an opportunity to continue my education and acquire additional skills if I desire. I realize that additional skills, along with job experience, will increase my earning potential. For this reason, I want to continue my training to include Auto Body and Collision Repair. Having acquired these skills, I will be more valuable to my employer and be able to provide further services to the customers. Careers in the trades, though often overlooked, are essential to provide services to our society and keep our nation functioning. Working in the trades as a mechanic will not only give me job security and a well paid salary, but it will also give me the ability to help those in my community. Automobiles have been around for over a century now. They greatly impact our country and even with improvements in technology, they will always require maintenance. Today, nearly every American owns a car and are dependent on that car to get around. Mechanics play a vital role in keeping those vehicles running smoothly. Our nation would literally come to a screeching halt without reliable transportation. Dependable mechanics are necessary to ensure that people are able to get where they need to be. Finally, I believe that attending a trade school will empower me to follow my dreams. I chose to pursue automotive technology because automobiles are what I'm passionate about. Ever since I was a child, I loved any type of vehicle, from cars and trucks to trains and airplanes. I was eager to discover everything about them. What made them move? Why did they need gas? My curiosity led me to begin taking my toys apart to learn. Then later in my teens, I began to break down and rebuild small engines. This passion to learn more continues to drive me. A career as an automotive technician would allow me to continue using my problem solving skills at work. Each day, a new assignment would arise. First, the need to diagnose the problem and then setting to work to get it fixed. I would not only love the challenge, but also the satisfaction of seeing the results of my work. I believe job satisfaction is important for an enjoyable, lifelong career. Mark Twain said it best, "Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Growing up there wasn’t a lot of support from friends or my teachers of my dreams. There were a lot of people who looked down on me or didn't think I'd be able to get to where I am. Little did they know, I had grown up around vehicles and even took an interest in them, because of my brother. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I am fully capable of working in a male dominated career field, especially one I have grown to love so much. So I enrolled at Carbon Career and Technical College and started taking their Automotive Service and Technology course. I've broken barriers that I and others set for me, like pushing myself to have a very high grade in my technical area and being the only girl in my senior class to be there for the full 4 years. I even pushed myself and qualified for the PAA Skip Wagner Competition in Hershey, Pa, with my classmate and good friend; which was such a great learning experience and just made me love the industry so much more than I already do. Through this I wanted to empower girls and anybody who thinks they cant do it. You can as long as you put your mind to it. That being said, I feel I have already been a role model to empower young women who go through our SHINE program and see what it's like to go to our school. Going through the SHINE summer camp when I was younger (2018) helped me with confidence. I remember the young girl who showed us around, her name was Skylar and she had been empowering us, even though she didn't know it. Yet, I would like to further that positive impact of showing young women that if you are passionate about this career and enjoy learning, it doesn't matter what anyone says. This field is constantly changing and evolving, so you constantly learn new things everyday. The idea and empowerment I've seen growing up, has brought me to who I am today. I am and would like to continue to be an empowering woman, not only to the girls of the Automotive world, but girls in general overcoming obstacles everyone told them they couldn't. I would especially like to empower the girls that are having a hard time overcoming the obstacles they’ve set up for themselves in their minds. That is what empowerment means to me and why I would like to be part of the definition of girl empowerment and girl power.

I will be attending Lineman School at North American Lineman Training Center in Tennessee in the fall of 2024. Pursuing the Lineman/ Line-worker career. I am interested in this trade because of the outdoor, and hands on aspect of the job. I personally love being outside and working with my hands to solve X, Y, and Z. This specific trade also entails climbing poles, digging ditches, and other physically demanding activities, which I personally enjoy. This trade also provides its worker with a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which I feel is a crucial aspect for a worker to keep him going strong. I have displayed the ability to think outside the box and figure difficult things while working. By helping my dad work on the car engines, doing logging and firewood, and doing some metal and welding work. I have learned many things about how to fix and repair a bunch of things. With this knowledge, I also have helped the local elderly folks in my area, from again doing firewood, to mowing, fixing gutters on a house, to even vacuuming. I've helped in as many ways as possible in that regard. I have my application and papers already submitted and turned in to North American Lineman Training Center, where I plan to attend for 15 weeks. I have talked to union halls in my area, and have talked with some utility companies. When I graduate from North American Lineman Training Center, they help with finding a job. If you were to call an adult in my life, they would recommend me for a couple reasons. Firstly, I am a hard worker which i have proven to multiple people multiple times. Also, I am able to when presented a problem solve said problem by myself, and make a functioning solution. Thirdly, i am a good leader, in the trade I’m interested in there are crews. I am able to handle high amounts of stress and still be able to lead efficiently and still accomplish the task on hand. I am confident that said adult, would without a shadow of a doubt say that I am a great worker, a strong leader, and a smart problem solver. These things are all great qualities, that employers look for and, what better way to start a career. And I believe that with my strong work and my desire to do it right and perfect to first time Ill will succeed even in such a demanding trade.

Going to a tech school is a smart decision for many reasons. It can be a great way to jumpstart your career, earn a good salary, and avoid the massive debt and time commitment associated with traditional colleges and universities. Here are a few reasons why going to a tech school is a wise investment in your future: 1. You will be able to start making more money than your friends out the gate, and quicker Tech schools specialize in providing students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to succeed in high-demand, high-paying industries like healthcare, information technology, and business. By enrolling in a tech program, you will gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and technologies, working alongside industry professionals who can show you the ropes. This will give you a competitive edge when it comes to landing a job in your chosen field, and will put you on a fast track to career success. In fact, studies have shown that graduates of technical schools often earn more money than their peers who attended traditional colleges and universities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for individuals with an associate degree (which is typically earned at a technical school) is $46,000, compared to just $33,000 for those with only a high school diploma. And, of course, the more specialized your skills and training are, the higher your earning potential will be. 2. You won’t have to spend 4 years of your life and money on college One of the biggest benefits of attending a tech school is the time and money you will save compared to a traditional four-year college or university. While a bachelor's degree can take four or more years to complete, many tech programs can be completed in just two years or less. Furthermore, technical schools are often much more affordable than traditional colleges and universities. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees at a public four-year university in 2020-2021 was $10,560 per year for in-state students, and $27,020 per year for out-of-state students. By comparison, the average cost of tuition and fees at a technical school was just $3,730 per year. That's a significant cost savings per year. 3. Tech schools provide practical, hands-on training Another key advantage of attending a tech school is the practical, hands-on training you will receive. Unlike traditional colleges and universities, which often focus heavily on academic theory and research, technical schools prioritize practical skills that will help you succeed in the workforce. For example, if you attend a technical school for automotive, you will likely spend many hours working in shops or dealerships. Moving cars, changing tires, doing oil changes. Things that are simple that a tech that is still in school can do. 4. You can choose from a wide variety of programs One of the great things about attending a technical school is the wide variety of programs available. Technical schools offer programs in everything from healthcare and business to engineering and construction. No matter what your interests or career goals are, there is likely a technical program that will align with your needs. In conclusion, attending a technical school is a great option for anyone who wants to fast-track their career, earn a good salary, and avoid the time and expense of traditional colleges and universities. With practical, hands-on training, a wide variety of programs to choose from, and the potential for high earning potential, technical schools are an excellent investment in your future.