Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship

The skilled trade I plan to pursue is becoming a lineman and studying electrical distribution. I have chosen this field because of the grit and determination it takes to be a lineman—whether it’s braving harsh weather conditions to restore power during storms, climbing towering poles with precision, or working long hours to ensure reliable electricity. Ever since I was a little kid, I've admired linemen. I vividly remember a storm knocking out power in our neighborhood and watching linemen climb poles in the pouring rain to restore electricity. Their courage and skill left a lasting impression on me. Linemen are the backbone of this country, yet many people don't realize it. Our homes and schools could not function without their work. I love helping people and volunteering, and becoming a lineman is another way I can serve my community. I love working with my hands to make a difference. After touring Ozarks Technical Community College and learning about their lineman program, I was impressed by their hands-on training, knowledgeable instructors, and state-of-the-art facilities. It immediately caught my eye. In just one day, I got to learn what it takes to be a lineman. I climbed a pole for the first time and instantly fell in love with it. I am excited to learn and work alongside great people. I chose trade school to become a lineman because the world needs more people in the trades. Linemen play a crucial role in maintaining power systems that communities rely on daily. Without their dedication, hospitals, schools, and homes would struggle during outages, highlighting how vital this profession is. I come from a split family, with one side having four generations of ironworkers. Learning from them taught me what it takes to be a hard worker. Since high school, I knew that a four-year college was not for me. I wanted a quality career that pays well and is something I would enjoy for life. I know linework demands energy and takes a toll on the body, but I am committed to personal growth and lifelong learning. Linework is essential for this country. We rely on electricity, and linemen are the main providers of that. Without them, this world would not function. I believe I will be successful because of my strong work ethic and dedication. For example, during high school, I balanced a part-time job while maintaining good grades and volunteering at community events. This taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I am coachable and learn from my mistakes and hardships. My family has had to fight through challenges, and I’ve learned what it takes to persevere when life gets hard. I believe nothing in life should be given for free and we need to earn everything we get. To me, success is fighting through challenges to achieve what you’ve earned. Success means never backing down when life gets tough. Life is filled with ups and downs, but how you handle those situations defines you. Being successful also means being a leader in your family, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and having a loving family that supports you. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to pursue what I love, and I appreciate your consideration. Thank you.

The skilled trade I am planning to study is welding, I chose welding because I tried it once for fun with friends the first weld I made was really bad but I enjoyed it and since then I saved up money to buy myself a small welder have been practicing my welding. I have been welding for almost 4 months now and every rod is worth burning. I am very interested in making welding my career. I have planned in that trade because I enjoy welding every time I burn a rod it makes me happy. I weld when I have a lot on my plate and I would happily weld for a career. I will be successful in my trade because I am very motivated. Once I want something I go after it, I am very hard working I have been helping my father in his construction company since I was 12 and I love working with my hands. I enjoyed working construction but welding has had my attention ever since and I will pursue welding until I make the pipelines and go up from there. Welding is a passion of mine. To achieve success in my chosen trade, I am committed to lifelong learning and professional growth. Embracing new technologies, techniques, and industry trends will allow me to remain relevant and adaptable in a rapidly evolving field. Additionally, I aim to cultivate a reputation for excellence and reliability, which will open doors to exciting opportunities and professional advancement. In conclusion, my decision to pursue a career in welding is driven by a genuine passion for the field, the promising opportunities it offers, and the potential for personal and professional growth. Through dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence, I am confident that I will achieve success in my chosen trade and contribute meaningfully to the industry. A successful life, in my view, involves realizing one's potential, making a positive impact, and finding fulfillment in one's endeavors. I am determined to pursue these ideals in my chosen trade and strive for success in all aspects of my career. I believe that success in my chosen trade will be reflected in the quality of work I deliver and the relationships I build with clients, colleagues, and industry peers. By consistently delivering high-quality results, demonstrating integrity and professionalism, and contributing to the collective knowledge within the welding industry, I will establish myself as a successful professional in my trade.

My interest started a few years ago during a visit with my Grandfather David or “Pa” as he is lovingly referred to by the family. He showed me how he uses welding to maintain his farm and equipment in rural Holton, KS. He let me try my hand at a simple weld and it piqued my interest immediately. The bright lights, sparks, crackles and pops, intense heat, protective gear, and distinctive smell were very intriguing and new! Growing up in the city, this was not something I had been previously exposed to at any point. I started to research welding and the opportunities available in various industries. I found out shortly after that my high school offered a 2-year program at the local Technical Center. I also saw it as an opportunity to use my skills to travel around the country, and perhaps the world. Since 70-80% of manufactured goods use welding and almost every trade needs a welder, I plan to become a skilled certified welder where many job opportunities will be abundant in the upcoming years. I knew I wanted to be part of a high-demand hands-on career where I could join the workforce faster by attending my local community college trade school program. I understand that as metropolitan areas grow and aging infrastructure needs repairing and replacing across the country, I will be able to contribute my skills to a critical need. According to the American Welding Society (AWS), new skilled welders will be needed to replace retirees and meet rising demand from natural gas drillers, steel producers, automakers, and more. I want to fill that growing need and be part of the solution. I am currently a high school senior in my 2nd year of the Welding Technology Program through Olathe Advanced Technical Center. I will graduate with an AWS SENSE Entry Level Welder I Certificate. I have toured a local welding and fabrication company to gain knowledge of one type of work environment. I understand that this is a very labor-intensive career that demands high attention to detail. I will be successful in this trade because I have already been studying welding in high school, plan to continue my studies before joining the workforce, my strong technical math skills, and my drive to perfect my technique. I am a very industrious worker who maintains a positive attitude while learning to perfect this new skill. After graduation, I plan to attend Johnson County Community College and pursue an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Metal Fabrication and Welding. By starting my career sooner than others attending a traditional 4-year college program, I hope to secure stable work experience and grow my future career skills and opportunities faster. Through my high school welding program, I discovered that I prefer hands-on work more than anything else and I can’t wait to see where this industry takes me. I believe there are many facets to a successful life. Working in a field that I love, being able to support a family, having a good work/life balance, becoming a respected professional in the trade, helping others succeed, always keeping a positive mindset, being a positive role model in my community, and maintaining a good relationship with friends, family, and coworkers. I know I will be successful because I am young and have everything to look forward to in this life. I am willing to put in the work, both professionally and personally. I appreciate your consideration and am extremely excited to join an exciting career path within an important building and manufacturing industry.