Craig Family Scholarship

My educational goal is to build a strong foundation in the mechanical trades by gaining hands-on training in diesel, automotive, and welding. I plan to attend WyoTech to study Diesel and Advanced Diesel Technology, along with automotive courses and welding training. I chose this path because I learn best by working with my hands and solving real mechanical problems. I want to understand not just how machines work, but how to diagnose issues accurately and repair them the right way. Developing these technical skills will prepare me to enter the workforce with confidence and continue improving throughout my career. My interest in this field comes from growing up around mechanical work. My dad was a mechanic who worked on heavy equipment and vehicles, and watching him solve problems and take pride in his work made a strong impression on me. His work ethic and dedication showed me the value of skilled trades and the importance of doing a job well. Even during difficult times, he stayed committed to providing for our family, and that example continues to influence the goals I’ve set for myself. Professionally, my goal is to become a skilled and dependable diesel technician who can work on trucks, heavy equipment, and other mechanical systems that industries rely on every day. I want to start my career with a company where I can continue learning from experienced technicians while gaining real-world experience. Over time, I hope to take on more advanced work, develop specialized skills, and become someone others trust when complex repairs need to be done. Beyond building technical skills, I want to build a career based on reliability, responsibility, and pride in my work. The trades offer an opportunity to create a stable future while continuing to learn and grow. My long-term goal is to establish myself as a professional who shows up, works hard, and contributes to keeping equipment running safely and efficiently. By pursuing my education and staying committed to improving my skills, I believe I can build a meaningful career that reflects the values I’ve learned and the goals I’ve set for my future.

My goals are centered around one purpose: caring for others during hard times. What began as babysitting and caring for my cousins grew into a clear vision for my future in healthcare. Though those experiences i discovered that supporting others is not just something I enjoy, it is the career path I'm determined to pursue. My first educational goal is to earn my CNA (certified nursing assistant) certification. I believe starting as a CNA will provide me with the essential hands-on experience and a strong foundation in patient care. CNAs work closely with patients, assisting them with daily needs and offering comfort and reassurance. This role will allow me to develop clinical skills while also strengthening my compassion, patience, and communication abilities. I want to fully understand patient care from the ground up before advancing further in my career. After gaining experience as a CNA, my next goal is to continue my education to become a RN ( registered nurse ). As an RN I will take on greater responsibility in assessing patients, creating care plans, and advocating for those who may not always have a voice. I am especially drawn to nursing because it combines medical knowledge with direct human connection. Nursing is often the profession who spends more time with their patients often not for medical care but emotional support. I want to be someone who brings both skills and a little more to a hospital room. In addition to becoming an RN I aspire to pursue training as a Sonography Technician. Sonography interest me because it plays critical role in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions. Through ultrasound technology, healthcare providers can detect issues early and provide families with important answers. I am inspired by the idea of being part of that process using both techincal skills and compassion to help patients during uncertain times. Professionally my long term goal is to build a career where I can continuously grow, learn, and serve others. I understand that this path will require dedication, hard work, and perseverance but I am fully committed. Each step from CNA to RN and potentially sonography represents progress towards becoming a well rounded healthcare professional. ultimatley my future is driven by a desire to make a impact. My professional goals reflect my passion for caring for others. I am determined to turn that passion into a lifelong career dedicated to service, compassion, and impact.

Throughout my life, agriculture has been more than just something I grew up around, it has shaped my identity, my work ethic, and my goals for the future! As a fourth-generation farm kid, I spent my childhood learning the rhythm of early mornings, long days, and the responsibility that comes with caring for livestock. But it wasn’t until I began working more closely with dairy cattle that I discovered a true passion for animal health and the science behind dairy nutrition. The more time I spent feeding calves, studying cattle behavior, and volunteering at a local dairy, the more clearly I saw what I wanted to do with my future. These experiences guided me toward my goal of becoming a dairy nutritionist, a career that will allow me to support producers while improving the health and performance of the animals I’ve grown up caring for. To get a head start on my education, I enrolled in dual-credit classes and will graduate high school with my AA degree. This gives me the opportunity to begin my animal science studies immediately after graduation and move more quickly toward advanced coursework in nutrition and dairy management. My plan is to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science and later pursue a master’s degree in dairy nutrition so I can develop the knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in the industry. Because agriculture is a male-dominated field, I have faced moments where people doubted my abilities based on my gender alone. Instead of discouraging me, this has pushed me to work harder and prove myself through dedication, leadership, and hands-on experience. As an FFA president, a state-level public speaking competitor, and a volunteer in youth service programs, I’ve learned how to lead by example and uplift others which are skills I hope to carry into my professional career. My ultimate goal is to support dairy producers by helping them build healthier, more sustainable herds while also serving as a role model for young women who want to pursue careers in agriculture. I want to give back to the industry that raised me and help shape a stronger future for the farms and families who depend on it!

I'm currently enrolled in a local trade school for HVACR, where I am a fourth-quarter student. Being involved in the world of HVAC and trade work as a whole makes me feel very proud and appreciative that I get the opportunity to make my mark. I have many goals with my schooling and future career. I want to finish my HVAC class with a 3.8 GPA or higher while maintaining perfect attendance. I would also like to be more engaged during class discussions and ask questions when unsure of something. Post trade school, some of my goals are to hopefully talk and build a relationship with a contractor who truly has good intentions, and get into a company that will take me straight from school and into the field. My main goal for my transition from trade school to work is not to wait very long because time spent not working is time lost. The experience and knowledge I will get from trade school and the apprenticeship will propel me into my career. Through my apprenticeship, I will have 5 levels I need to finish before I can Journey Men out. When I've completed these levels, I hope to gain as much knowledge as I can and learn from job site to job site how to one day be the lead or foreman of a service department. This scholarship would greatly benefit me as I'm paying for my own schooling and books. I currently attend school at 7 am and don't leave until 2 pm. Right after I get out of school, I have to rush over to work and stay there until 6 pm when we close. This has been very stressful because of the limited hours I work, and it can get pretty tight when trying to get my tuition paid for on time. I feel very motivated and excited for the journey ahead and all that it brings. Im grately apprective of the opportunity you have given me.

During my high school years, I found myself deeply conflicted about my future career path. While many fields interested me, none felt like the right fit. It wasn’t until I experienced a life-threatening illness that I truly discovered my calling. During this challenging time, I witnessed the extraordinary care and compassion provided by my healthcare team. Their kindness not only helped me recover physically but also restored my faith in the power of healthcare professionals. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, where I can offer others the same level of care and support that was given to me. Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) is my immediate professional goal, as I want to help others through difficult times, restoring not only their health but also their hope. I have already completed two years of college at Olympic College through the Running Start program, and I am now focused on earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Washington once school begins in the fall. Beyond obtaining my RN and gaining experience in the field, I aspire to continue my education and pursue a master's degree to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP). I am drawn to the opportunity to take on a more advanced clinical role and contribute to healthcare in a deeper, more impactful way. My ultimate goal is to combine my nursing expertise with leadership skills, allowing me to make meaningful contributions to patient care and healthcare systems. Through continuous learning and growth, my goal is to improve the lives of those around me, just as my healthcare team did for me. In the future, I hope to be a compassionate and knowledgeable nurse who helps guide patients through their most challenging moments, while also mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

People say that goals after high school remain as dreams, as no one ever accomplishes their dreams, and I’m trying to prove them wrong. My goal for the future is to become a BMW technician and become one of the best there is. I’ve always been in love with these cars and learning more about them, and that's what I’ve devoted my future to. On August 25, 2025, I start trade school at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Arizona, and I couldn’t be more excited as I’ve heard good things about this institute that will help me learn and reach my goal of becoming a technician and hopefully working for BMW or at least a dealership for BMW. Just thinking about it makes me more eager for my future, as I hope I will be prepared to become one. One thing I know for sure is that I can never stop learning new things, and that’s one thing I love about this profession, as I can never stop learning and always be expanding my knowledge to be as smart as I possibly can. I truly believe that everyone should be the best version of themselves, and that’s what I’m trying to be for myself. I really do believe my goals and my education are a huge step in this process because without goals, you can’t aim for anything, and without education, you would never learn how to reach those goals. Another big step in accomplishing my goal is to try harder than I ever have, and I’m fully aware of that and will give it my all. I’ve always been a kid who tries to accomplish what other people can’t or won’t and tries to persevere over everything and anything. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been giving everything my all, and it mainly started when I was in elementary school and tried out for some math teams. Once I joined and got 1st place, I was more competitive than ever. This wasn’t just when I was a kid; even now at my job, I try to learn more and become a better employee. I truly believe that’s one thing you must have when you’re trying to achieve your goals: you have to have motivation and try to come out on top.

A couple of months ago, shortly after school started "my senior year", everyone in my life—my family, friends, teachers, and even new people I meet —began asking me, "What are you going to do?" While I've been asked this question for years, it felt different this time more urgent. My answer has evolved as well, I initially wanted to become a miner and work in the coal mines, then I wanted to become a border patrol officer, but my passion shifted towards blacksmithing. I have been blacksmithing since I was twelve years old, and it has become a significant source of happiness for me. This year, I am taking a major step by selling my blacksmithing projects at craft fairs. So far, I am scheduled to participate in three fairs, and I am determined to establish my own business. My goal is to sell decorative works made from metal, as well as historically accurate replicas of items from the past. To support this dream, I am working towards earning a certificate in manufacturing. This certification will be valuable, as it will enhance my skills in applied mathematics, which is essential in both blacksmithing and machining. Additionally, it will equip me with a better understanding of manufacturing processes and leadership skills needed in the business industry. I am also pursuing a certificate in welding and fabrication. These skills are closely related to blacksmithing learning how to create and read blueprints is extremely useful in this field, and I aim to focus on specialty welding theory, machine operation, advanced fabrication, and preparation for employment. On my road to starting this business, I know that I may initially have a very small clientele. If that is the case, I would consider joining a trade, most likely welding or fabrication, to gain experience and build my knowledge further. While working in a trade, I would continue to develop my business on the side. Once my business begins to grow bigger, my focus will shift from making a living to building a sustainable and growing future, allowing me to fully pursue my passions in blacksmithing and beyond.