Mark Suren Melkonian Memorial Scholarship

Sanger 4H and FFA have been big shaping factors in my life. My involvement in these clubs dates back to when I was in just third grade. I started exhibiting dairy goats with my friends just for the fun of it while the Sanger 4H club was just starting to form. I started to get more involved over time, we started doing community service at the veteran's hospital, decorating for Christmas time to make the mourning environment a little more festive and fun. Along with that, a smaller group of club members including myself would put together baskets for the veterans which included necessities such as soap, clothing, entertainment, and more. This is when I started to learn that 4H and FFA don't consist of just farming, but so much more. My involvement stayed strong, I started showing more animals, after dairy goats I raised a hog, a Boer goat, and a chicken. I achieved first place in showmanship and third place at Round Robin with my chicken. I participated in animal judging competitions, public speaking competitions and more. Once I was promoted from 4H to FFA, it opened my eyes to careers in agriculture. I have been lucky enough to be a part of the POM Wonderful agricultural mechanics pathway at Sanger High school. This pathway is the best choice I have made academically because I have learned that there is a whole mechanical aspect to agriculture. Ever since I was younger, I have always been fascinated by how things are made and how things function within each other. Within this pathway, we were taught numerous subjects such as fabrication, welding, learning how an engine works, and electrical. I've enjoyed being a part of this pathway and learning so many trades that not everyone has the option to do in high school, I've learned so much that I've decided to choose a major in college through the agricultural field. I want to go into agricultural system technology, which is based on revolutionizing the mechanical aspect of agriculture. One experience that has further solidified my decision is taking a trip to the World Ag Expo. Every year our pathway has the opportunity to take a trip and spend the day there. A specific exhibit that caught my eye was the self-driving tractors. It was interesting learning about how the self-propelled tractors know where they are and when to perform specific functions. I want to eventually be the one manufacturing and working on these new-age technologies such as self-driving tractors.

"When I grow up, I want to be just like my Grandfather", Is often something young people say but don't necessarily take the steps to follow through. For me, that phrase rings 100% true and I'm currently in the process of making it happen. My grandfather owned and operated his own welding business in Sanger, Ca. for many years. He specialized in AG welding to service the high demand in the surrounding area. Since I was very young, I've known I would like to follow in his footsteps. At the start of high school I was given the opportunity to join the AG Mechanics pathway at Sanger High school. This pathway is designed to combine the high school and college classes needed to graduate after 4 years with both a high school diploma and a AA college degree. I quickly learned this would involve many classes for welding and fabrication and knew it would be a perfect fit for me. Classes started the summer before my freshman year even began. I have been committed to the program and am set to have all of my classes complete by the end of this summer. During the 4 years, I have taken many classes that have continued to keep me interested and focused on welding and the desire to one day start my own business. Those classes have included Intro to Ag Welding, Intro to Ag Fabrication, Hydraulics, Small engines, and Electrical Fabrication. Outside of the classroom I have been able to put what I have learned to use by competing in fabrication competitions with the Welding Team. I have applied to and have been accepted to the Fresno State Jordan College of Agriculture Business program with a major in Ag Business. I look forward to exploring and learning more about how to operate a business, specifically a Ag business. We live in an area that is surrounded with Agriculture. I would like to develop a business plan that taps into the demand for AG welding and fabrication and be a valuable resource to local businesses. Concurrently or after I receive my 4 year degree, I plan to take courses to be certified in different types of welding to make my business more diverse. One example would be to become certified in stainless steel welding. With this certification my business would be able to repair, replace and help design tanks and piping at many local wineries and breweries, an up and coming agricultural industry in the local area. I look forward to the opening day of my new business when I can rehang my grandfather's original sign for Sanger Welding. He worked hard, paved the way, made a name for himself and developed a successful Ag Business in the Central Valley. I can't wait to be just like him. Along with attending school, I have been involved in many sports activities. I was a member of the Varsity Water Polo team all 4 years, as well as playing year round Water Polo for a Local club team. I swam on the Swim Team for the first 3 years of school and am finishing up my senior year trying something new and playing golf. I have also been involved with FFA and part of the Farm Power team that travels and competes in competitions, exhibiting knowledge in operation, safety and repair of farm machinery.