Something that makes me really excited about pursuing trade school is finally getting the chance to work on cars, which has always been a huge passion of mine. I have always enjoyed learning how vehicles work, and trade school gives me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and real-world skills. I am excited not only for the opportunities trade school will provide, but also for the skills I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The trade I plan to pursue is Automotive Technology, and my goal is to attend Universal Technical Institute (UTI). UTI offers the specialized training I need to succeed in this field, but it is located in California, which makes affording both tuition and housing a challenge. Receiving this scholarship would give me the opportunity to attend a school that aligns with my passion and future career goals, while easing the financial burden that comes with pursuing higher education away from home. After trade school, my goal is to work in an automotive shop that allows room for growth, both professionally and personally. I want to continue learning, improve my skills as a mechanic, and build a long-term career doing something I truly love. Working on cars is not just a job I want—it is something I hope to do for the rest of my life.

I grew up in a very low-income household. When I say “family,” I truly mean just my mom and me. My mom has always been there for me, even during times when she struggled to take care of herself. During my senior year of high school, she had to take a second job because of how difficult things had become financially. While I understood why she needed to do this, it still affected the amount of time we were able to spend together. From a young age, I have had a deep fascination with cars—from how they are built to how they are able to move so fast. I knew early on that working on cars was something I wanted to do. However, in fifth grade, a teacher asked me what my dream job was. When I told him I wanted to work on cars, he responded, “You can’t do that—that’s a man’s job.” To fifth-grade me, those words felt crushing, and I believed my dream was over. I came home in tears and told my mom what had happened. She looked at me and said, “Anything a man can do, you can do—and never forget that.” Those words stayed with me. Watching my mom raise me on her own, taking on both parental roles while never giving up, inspired me to believe in myself and push past limits others tried to set for me. After high school, I plan to attend a trade school to earn my certification in automotive technology. Even simple tasks like changing tires or checking oil motivates me and makes me eager to learn more. My dream technical school is Universal Technical Institute (UTI). From the course offerings to the hands-on auto shop experience, it is the most exciting program I have seen. Attending UTI would provide a major stepping stone toward my future career and allow me to grow in a professional automotive environment. Unfortunately, due to my financial situation, attending UTI is not currently possible without assistance. Receiving this scholarship would help make my educational goals achievable. More than that, it would allow me to one day inspire young girls the same way my mom inspired me—to believe that no dream is off-limits and that passion and determination matters more than stereotypes.

Growing up in a single-mother household was challenging financially, but my mom always made sure I never missed a learning opportunity. No matter how tight money was, she found ways for me to go on school field trips or participate in clubs because she believed education mattered. Watching her make those sacrifices taught me perseverance and gratitude. From a young age, I’ve always been curious about how things work—especially cars. I loved learning how engines function, why designs matter, and how all the parts come together to create something powerful. My favorite car has always been the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The design, the headlights, and the performance inspired my fascination even more and pushed my interest deeper. For a long time, my financial situation kept me from fully exploring this passion. This year, however, I finally had the opportunity to work with cars through my high school program, and it confirmed what I had always felt—this is what I want to do after graduation. Working hands-on was the most engaging and fulfilling experience I’ve had in school. The biggest obstacle standing in my way now is cost. Tuition, tools, and textbooks are expensive, and without support, continuing my education in automotive technology will be difficult. This scholarship would allow me to invest in my education and take meaningful steps toward a career I’m truly passionate about. Receiving this support would not only help me afford my schooling, but it would also help turn years of curiosity and hard work into a future career. I am motivated, dedicated, and ready to build something meaningful with this opportunity.