Trades Make the World Go 'Round

I am currently a high school senior in a small rural town in Missouri. As a child, I grew up playing sports, helping to raise animals on a farm, and showing dairy cows through 4-H. After suffering a traumatic brain injury as a young teen following a tragic auto accident, I was forced to abandon playing the sports I loved. Overcoming the challenges now in front of me was not easy and when doing the things I loved were potentially now harmful to me, I really struggled. Eventually, with the help of family and friends, I found new hobbies. My new limitations didn’t stop me and I have learned to adapt. Then as a freshman in high school, I found a true passion; welding. From the time I first got into a booth with my FFA advisor and was taught to lay a bead, I just fell in love with the whole process. I found something that quenched my hunger to work with my hands, gave me a challenge, and sparked my interest to see what I could make. Since that first experience, I have welded consistently in high school for 4 years, attended several welding competitions, and competed on agricultural mechanics team that placed at a state level where welding was required. My ability to work with others is outstanding; I have been on contest teams through FFA, participated in 4-H in leadership positions, competed on sports teams for many years, and I have an extensive history in the FFA organization as an officer in my local chapter as well as attending conferences and meetings regularly. I handle multiple tasks very well and have proved it while welding in my classes and when I am working outside of the classroom. I am looking forward to entering trade school as I will be the first in my family to complete trade school or college. My family is not wealthy and I do not have a college fund. I’m responsible for funding my education and this scholarship would help me achieve this dream. I want to receive an outstanding education in the welding trade. I’d like to grow my skillset, acquire industry knowledge, and be a great tradesman. I hope to travel this great country and help build and maintain the infrastructure we all rely on. They say if you find something you love for work, you’ll never work a day in your life. While I know a career in this trade is hard work, I truly love the craft and I look forward to making this my future.