Jillian Page Commerce and Trades Scholarship

Growing up in a small town with a population of 336 people, I often heard that no one would make it out of our county. Most of the people I know have graduated and found work nearby, not far from where they grew up. However, I have always aspired to be different. My determination to succeed surpasses the limitations of this small-town upbringing. I am convinced that achieving my goals will require significant effort and sacrifice. Ultimately, the satisfaction of success will make it all worthwhile. My ambition is to contribute to the agricultural community and I am confident that I can turn this dream into reality. I am passionate about pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business to further my love for all aspects of crop cultivation, tractors, fertilizer, and equipment management. Growing up surrounded by fields of corn and beans, I have always been intrigued by the production process. Riding in tractors with my Papa is a cherished childhood pastime. The memories of those experiences are deeply rooted in me. This passion for agriculture is an integral part of who I am and will always remain with me. I think trade school is a better match for my industrious sense of work ethic. I like to be hands-on with my work, it’s the best way I seem to learn. This stems to one of the people I admire, my Papa. Papa always taught me when I was younger that, “If you don’t get your hands dirty then you're not doing it right”, and that just became a huge part of me. I am ready to be out in the world pursuing a career that will benefit the country and with trade school I can do that more efficiently. I live alone with my Nana, another person I have to mention because I admire her so deeply as well. I am so thankful for her and all of her hard work she has put in to provide for us. Nana only has a part-time job so I do my best to do my part in the house, but it is a struggle keeping up sometimes. While still in high school, juggling a part-time job, school work, and applying for schools can sometimes become a hassle. This scholarship will not only help me short term but for the rest of my life. It will help me pursue a career that will keep the agricultural industry alive and boost the economy. I believe that I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because of my commitment to wanting to support agriculture and the economy. With climate change agriculture is something that will always be needed but slowly by the years is sadly declining. By doing my part in the field and selling parts, seed, and fertilizer to farmers in need, I can do my part in helping the economy grow. I am thankful for this opportunity to write this essay for this scholarship. Thank you for giving students the opportunity to apply to boost their education and futures’ for success.