Your father, Dan “Uniball,” seems like someone my dad would have connected with easily. My father, Frank Brigandi, was a hard working blue-collar bricklayer from southern New Jersey, a man I deeply admired and looked up to. Sadly, I only have 18 years of memories with him before he succumbed to lung cancer in 2008. He fought valiantly for a year, even experiencing a period of remission, but in the end, his body was failing, and his heart was the last organ to give out. My dad had so much heart, his passion and dedication were evident in everything he did and in all his relationships. The first year after his passing was undoubtedly the most challenging, but my parents instilled resilience in their children. With our Italian and Sicilian heritage, I’ve developed my own unique approach to coping with pain, both mentally, physically, and often times in a stubborn manner. In retrospect, learning from my mistakes and navigating life the hard way has shaped my character and equipped me to evolve and thrive. Now, at 36 years old, I am advancing my welding career in commercial diving at Divers Institute of Technology in Seattle, Washington, utilizing my PADI open water scuba certification and an Associate's Degree in Welding Technology. My passion for welding ignited when I first had the chance to attend trade school during high school, a path that felt fitting, especially since my oldest brother had attended the same school to become an electrician. Interestingly, my mother initially opposed my desire to pursue welding, believing it was not a suitable field for women. This was a battle I ultimately could not win at the time, and my only alternative was to explore barbering and cosmetology. Ironically, I passed my state board exams and became a licensed cosmetologist in 2007, which provided me with valuable hands-on skills, taught me the importance of attention to detail, consistency, and reliability. This career path allowed me to explore various avenues, from retail to modeling, makeup artistry, to master barber. I currently hold an active license in two states and plan to keep them active . I have a profound respect for the skilled trades, and I believe in their essential roles across all industries. My journey into a career that is predominantly male-dominated highlights my firm commitment and determination to succeed. This year marked a significant milestone as I embarked on my first role as welder II/ finish welder, manufacturing Bobcat MT120 skid steers. Despite being an inexperienced welder still in training, I was chosen for this opportunity because my employers recognized my eagerness to learn and ability to adapt. This experience was a pivotal moment for me, emphasizing the importance of being open to growth—not just in my career, but in life as a whole. I refuse to settle for mediocrity; I aspire to unlock my full potential. For me, commercial diving represents a new frontier, a way to test my abilities, and strive beyond the ordinary. My ambitions are clear: I aim to dedicate my time to mastering my craft, achieve my Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification by the age of 40, and retire by 50. After retirement, I envision retreating to my own welding shop on my future homestead, where I can create innovative art pieces that have never been seen before, blending my passion for welding with my creative attitude Thank you for considering my application and for this opportunity; I have invested all of my savings into this trade school, believing that the risks I take now will yield substantial rewards in my future.

Thank you for this opportunity. Currently in my nomadic, freewill lifestyle, I live in my 18ft camper on homestead properties. I don’t have any income because my service is in trade for my rent. I give to others the relief of daily chores and help with projects, land clearing, barn cleanup, and newly able to add my welding services. In trade for a place I can call home for a few months. This has been my life for 3 years now. The impact of this lifestyle has grown me in ways I could have never imagined. I am learning something new everyday about myself. What a powerful force it is. I am in community college in western NC for welding technology. Being a young female in a male dominated trade gives me more confidence on my journey. I have always been one to sit in my shadows, until a stranger became a friend when I was in need. It showed me how kindness and love is given through acts of selflessness. We all need each other to become the best versions of ourselves. Once we have been given this gift it’s hard to not pass it on. That is something I’d like to reflect to my community. I really enjoy the freedom of barter and trade, it gives things more value instead of a dollar. In my studies this past year I have learned through world civilizations how as humans we have done this thousands of years ago and to me has fallen in the abyss of our lost ways. I’d love to be my own boss as a skilled welder who is able to give back to people in ways others cannot. If their tractor needs repair or the thought of restoring an old trailer is out of their budget, why not lesson the stress and be open to trade. One persons trash is another’s treasure as the saying goes. I find value in anything that can be reused and up-cycled. Nothing should be of waste. To me that is beautiful, that is an art. Growing up with my grandparents I learned at an early age the value of hard work. They were farmers and the reason for my green thumb and love for gardening, horticulture and sustainability. I’m trying to get back to the ways of my ancestors to live a happy, harmonious life with everything around me.