My name is Austin Rygg. I am a junior attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a junior attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a junior attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a junior, attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

To me, civil engineering is the visionaries behind the systems that sustain our rural and urban lives. Civil engineering is the backbone that allows for the efficient movement of people and goods. The intriguing part of civil engineering is that the work goes beyond construction. It’s about connecting communities, reducing congestion, and fostering growth. It’s embracing the role that civil engineering has taken on in the environment and the fostering of sustainable growth of our eco-friendly infrastructures that reduces energy consumption, aid in the development of green energy solutions, and draws forth renewable resources. Civil Engineering encompasses a vast number of topics such as design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Pick nearly any topic and civil engineering is related to the item in some way, shape, or form. Civil engineering not only involves safety and development of resilient and sustainable cities for the future, but it also encompasses vital infrastructure projects, and lifeline infrastructure systems, including transportation, water, and power supply. That is why civil engineering has such a deep meaning to me. It significantly impacts everyone’s daily lives, the environment, and the overall well-being and safety of our society. I am planning to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting, fishing, and nature, so I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I foresee myself maintaining membership in ASCE, AGCA, and other organizations of such that will help me advance my career and improve my efficiency as a civil engineer. These groups would be beneficial for networking with peers, keeping up with technical information, continuing education opportunities, improving practice though guidelines and standards, and opportunities to improve my professional skills. Being an active member of organizations such as these will help drive positive social outcomes through its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. I am child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce. I am a child that faced domestic violence, I withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father. I was also raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself. My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you for believing in me and providing me with this an opportunity.

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a sophomore attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a sophomore attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

To me, civil engineering is the visionaries behind the systems that sustain our rural and urban lives. Civil engineering is the backbone that allows for the efficient movement of people and goods. The intriguing part of civil engineering is that the work goes beyond construction. It’s about connecting communities, reducing congestion, and fostering growth. It’s embracing the role that civil engineering has taken on in the environment and the fostering of sustainable growth of our eco-friendly infrastructures that reduces energy consumption, aid in the development of green energy solutions, and draws forth renewable resources. Civil Engineering encompasses a vast number of topics such as design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Pick nearly any topic and civil engineering is related to the item in some way, shape, or form. Civil engineering not only involves safety and development of resilient and sustainable cities for the future, but it also encompasses vital infrastructure projects, and lifeline infrastructure systems, including transportation, water, and power supply. That is why civil engineering has such a deep meaning to me. It significantly impacts everyone’s daily lives, the environment, and the overall well-being and safety of our society. I am planning to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting, fishing, and nature, so I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I foresee myself maintaining membership in ASCE, AGCA, and other organizations of such that will help me advance my career and improve my efficiency as a civil engineer. These groups would be beneficial for networking with peers, keeping up with technical information, continuing education opportunities, improving practice though guidelines and standards, and opportunities to improve my professional skills. Being an active member of organizations such as these will help drive positive social outcomes through its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. I am child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce. I am a child that faced domestic violence, I withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father. I was also raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself. My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

To me, civil engineering is the visionaries behind the systems that sustain our rural and urban lives. Civil engineering is the backbone that allows for the efficient movement of people and goods. The intriguing part of civil engineering is that the work goes beyond construction. It’s about connecting communities, reducing congestion, and fostering growth. It’s embracing the role that civil engineering has taken on in the environment and the fostering of sustainable growth of our eco-friendly infrastructures that reduces energy consumption, aid in the development of green energy solutions, and draws forth renewable resources. Civil Engineering encompasses a vast number of topics such as design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Pick nearly any topic and civil engineering is related to the item in some way, shape, or form. Civil engineering not only involves safety and development of resilient and sustainable cities for the future, but it also encompasses vital infrastructure projects, and lifeline infrastructure systems, including transportation, water, and power supply. That is why civil engineering has such a deep meaning to me. It significantly impacts everyone’s daily lives, the environment, and the overall well-being and safety of our society. I am planning to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting, fishing, and nature, so I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I foresee myself maintaining membership in ASCE, AGCA, and other organizations of such that will help me advance my career and improve my efficiency as a civil engineer. These groups would be beneficial for networking with peers, keeping up with technical information, continuing education opportunities, improving practice though guidelines and standards, and opportunities to improve my professional skills. Being an active member of organizations such as these will help drive positive social outcomes through its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. I am child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce. I am a child that faced domestic violence, I withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father. I was also raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself. My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a sophomore attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Austin Rygg. I am a sophomore attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. My major is Civil Engineering. I plan to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting and fishing and I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. Am I a child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce – yes! Am I a child that faced domestic violence – yes! Am I a child that withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father – yes! Was I raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself– yes! My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

To me, civil engineering is the visionaries behind the systems that sustain our rural and urban lives. Civil engineering is the backbone that allows for the efficient movement of people and goods. The intriguing part of civil engineering is that the work goes beyond construction. It’s about connecting communities, reducing congestion, and fostering growth. It’s embracing the role that civil engineering has taken on in the environment and the fostering of sustainable growth of our eco-friendly infrastructures that reduces energy consumption, aid in the development of green energy solutions, and draws forth renewable resources. Civil Engineering encompasses a vast number of topics such as design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Pick nearly any topic and civil engineering is related to the item in some way, shape, or form. Civil engineering not only involves safety and development of resilient and sustainable cities for the future, but it also encompasses vital infrastructure projects, and lifeline infrastructure systems, including transportation, water, and power supply. That is why civil engineering has such a deep meaning to me. It significantly impacts everyone’s daily lives, the environment, and the overall well-being and safety of society. I am planning to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting, fishing, and nature, so I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I foresee myself maintaining membership in ASCE, AGCA, and other organizations of such that will help me advance my career and improve my efficiency as a civil engineer. These groups would be beneficial for networking with peers, keeping up with technical information, continuing education opportunities, improving practice though guidelines and standards, and opportunities to improve my professional skills. Being an active member of organizations such as these will help drive positive social outcomes through its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

To me, civil engineering is the visionaries behind the systems that sustain our rural and urban lives. Civil engineering is the backbone that allows for the efficient movement of people and goods. The intriguing part of civil engineering is that the work goes beyond construction. It’s about connecting communities, reducing congestion, and fostering growth. It’s embracing the role that civil engineering has taken on in the environment and the fostering of sustainable growth of our eco-friendly infrastructures that reduces energy consumption, aid in the development of green energy solutions, and draws forth renewable resources. Civil Engineering encompasses a vast number of topics such as design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Pick nearly any topic and civil engineering is related to the item in some way, shape, or form. Civil engineering not only involves safety and development of resilient and sustainable cities for the future, but it also encompasses vital infrastructure projects, and lifeline infrastructure systems, including transportation, water, and power supply. That is why civil engineering has such a deep meaning to me. It significantly impacts everyone’s daily lives, the environment, and the overall well-being and safety of our society. I am planning to obtain a job with the Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. I have a huge passion for hunting, fishing, and nature, so I feel these types of entities would complement my passions. My goal is to help preserve and maintain the land and habitats we have while simultaneously improving the interactions and impact that humans have on the environment while safely initiating inevitable change and growth of our society. Things such as bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, and dams have significant environmental impacts. I would like to be involved in projects that will conserve, protect, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wildlife populations, their habitat, and the land. I would like to ensure that others have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. I foresee myself maintaining membership in ASCE, AGCA, and other organizations of such that will help me advance my career and improve my efficiency as a civil engineer. These groups would be beneficial for networking with peers, keeping up with technical information, continuing education opportunities, improving practice though guidelines and standards, and opportunities to improve my professional skills. Being an active member of organizations such as these will help drive positive social outcomes through its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. I am not one to focus on the economic adversity or hardships I have faced in my 20 years on this beautiful earth. I do not wish to have anyone feel sorry for me or have pity on me for my circumstances. My mother taught me to take those unfortunate experiences and turn them into learning opportunities. I am child that was raised in a single parent household after a divorce. I am a child that faced domestic violence, I withstood verbal, mental, and emotional abuse from my father. I was also raised by a hardworking, never back down, nose to the grindstone mother who saved us from danger situations and refused to let me feel sorry for myself. My mother shaped me into who I am today and helped me set the mold for who I want to be in the future. I've been working and saving money for as long as I can remember. I work hard, I enjoy working, and I enjoy getting a paycheck even more. As I get older and have become more responsible for purchasing items on my own, I have quickly realized the meaning and the value of a dollar. I am realizing that a dollar doesn't go far, and you need lots of dollars to live and to eat. This concept has made me realize the importance of going to college to better prepare myself for my future adult life, hoping to give myself an advantage over others in the job market, and to become a productive and contributing citizen to society. Like I said, I work hard, and I enjoy working hard, but I have not saved enough money to pay my way through college, I will be taking out school loans. I am ok with the idea of taking out loans to pay for my college education because I know I will get a suitable job after college that will allow me to pay those loans back. However, I am not opposed to receiving scholarship dollars to help offset the loan value. Thank you for your consideration!

The Polar Express immediately comes to mind when thinking about being able to watch only one movie for the rest of my life. The reason for this is because that movie became a sense of security and hope for me. My parents were going through a tough divorce during the time the Polar Express was popular. My mom, brother, and I would watch that movie in the evenings after work and school. We would cuddle up on the couch under blankets, eat a snack, giggle at times during the movie, and just enjoy the comfort and security of all us being together. I think we all knew the movie lines by heart. We even bought the Polar Express DVD so we could play it in the car, singing the songs out loud each morning as Mom took us to school. I'm sure we sounded awful, but we thought we something cool. My mom taught us, with the help of the Polar Express, that if we hope, if we love, if we wish - that our dreams, hopes, and wishes will come true. She taught us to have faith in ourselves, to value friendships, to not be bothered by what others think of us, to have courage, to be kind to others, to able to laugh at ourselves, and to never ever stop believing. I didn't fully appreciate all these lessons until later in my teen years when these lessons started to make more sense to me. It was at this point in my life that I realized my brother and I were not the only ones enjoying and learning lessons from the movie. I realized that maybe the Polar Express also helped my Mom cope and learn how to deal with the violence and divorce issues she was so privately trying to shield us from. She would share with us the importance of hope, faith, love, leadership, courage, and believing but what she may have really been doing was trying convincing herself to not give up on on these qualities of life. Maybe she was the one trying to find faith and hope in believing. To summarize, if I could only watch one movie for the rest of my life I would choose the Polar Express. The memories that rush back to me when I hear that title brings warmth, love, and smiles to my face. I will always BELIEVE!