Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. As a fierce competitor, I view every vehicle, engine, and repair job as a complex problem that needs solving. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road. The diesel industry is constantly advancing and presenting new challenges to tackle. I aspire to be a leader, striving for excellence in the diesel industry. That is why I have chosen to pursue a dual major in Diesel Technology—Medium Heavy-Duty Truck and Diesel Technology Heavy Equipment—complemented by a certification in Welding Technology. It has not been easy being a woman training for a degree in diesel technology. I am the only woman in the program and not many shops have female technicians. This significant gender gap creates challenges when trying to find internships and job placements. I carry with me a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful and having advance degrees will enhance my opportunities. However, the gender gap is real but all I need is the opportunity to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities. Due to this unique situation my career path is going to go one of two directions. Either someone in this traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology is going to take a chance, on my advance degrees and knowledge and allow me to prove myself or I will blaze my own path and create an all-female auto repair shop. Where the goal will be to strengthen the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Where we will instill confidence, and educate our customers to take the mystery out of automotive repair. There are a few givens in my journey, the first is I will find my place in this industry and the second is I will not change who I am to fit what others believe an automotive technician should be like. I want to embody the perfect balance between a master mechanic and a feminine woman and I aspire to be a strong role model for future generations while maintaining everything that is uniquely me.

Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road. As a fierce competitor, I view every vehicle, engine, and repair job as a complex problem that needs solving. The diesel industry is constantly advancing and presenting new challenges to tackle. I aspire to be a leader, striving for excellence in the diesel industry. That is why I have chosen to pursue a dual major in Diesel Technology—Medium Heavy-Duty Truck and Diesel Technology Heavy Equipment—complemented by a certification in Welding Technology. As a determined and passionate young woman entering into a traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology, I embrace each day as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions. My role in these dynamics cannot be overlooked. I am looking for equity in opportunity. I want an equal opportunity to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities. It is exciting to infuse myself as a valuable asset to the team, by earning trust and respect. With every skill I master, I become more self-sufficient, breaking down traditional ideas and providing young girls with a strong role model. I gain a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I have earned my position. Having advance degrees will enhance my dream of being a catalyst for change within the automotive and diesel industry. As I continue to immerse myself into this traditionally male-dominated career field, I want to embody the perfect balance between a master mechanic and a feminine woman. I aspire to be a strong role model for future generations while maintaining everything that is uniquely me. I carry with me a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful. It is exciting to know when I enter the workforce, I can enhance the traditional team dynamics by bringing a female perspective and communication style that are not traditionally found in an automotive shop. It has not been easy being a woman training for a degree in diesel technology. I am the only woman in the program and not many shops have female technicians. This significant gender gap creates challenges when trying to find internships and job placements. This is why my story will be a bit different when I enter the workforce. My career path is going to go one of two directions. Either someone in this traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology is going to have to take a chance, on my advance degrees and knowledge and allow me to prove myself or I will blaze my own path and create an all-female auto repair shop. Where the goal will be to strengthen the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Where we will instill confidence, and educate our customers to take the mystery out of automotive repair.

Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road. As a fierce competitor, I view every vehicle, engine, and repair job as a complex problem that needs solving. The diesel industry is constantly advancing and presenting new challenges to tackle. I aspire to be a leader, striving for excellence in the diesel industry. That is why I have chosen to pursue a dual major in Diesel Technology—Medium Heavy-Duty Truck and Diesel Technology Heavy Equipment—complemented by a certification in Welding Technology. As a determined and passionate young woman entering into a traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology, I embrace each day as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions. My role in these dynamics cannot be overlooked. I am looking for equity in opportunity. I want an equal opportunity to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities. It is exciting to infuse myself as a valuable asset to the team, by earning trust and respect. With every skill I master, I become more self-sufficient, breaking down traditional ideas and providing young girls with a strong role model. I gain a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I have earned my position. Having advance degrees will enhance my dream of being a catalyst for change within the automotive and diesel industry. As I continue to immerse myself into this traditionally male-dominated career field, I want to embody the perfect balance between a master mechanic and a feminine woman. I aspire to be a strong role model for future generations while maintaining everything that is uniquely me. I carry with me a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful. It is exciting to know when I enter the workforce, I can enhance the traditional team dynamics by bringing a female perspective and communication style that are not traditionally found in an automotive shop. It has not been easy being a woman training for a degree in diesel technology. I am the only woman in the program and not many shops have female technicians. This significant gender gap creates challenges when trying to find internships and job placements. This is why my story will be a bit different when I enter the workforce. My career path is going to go one of two directions. Either someone in this traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology is going to have to take a chance, on my advance degrees and knowledge and allow me to prove myself or I will blaze my own path and create an all-female auto repair shop. Where the goal will be to strengthen the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Where we will instill confidence, and educate our customers to take the mystery out of automotive repair.

Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road. As a fierce competitor, I view every vehicle, engine, and repair job as a complex problem that needs solving. The diesel industry is constantly advancing and presenting new challenges to tackle. I aspire to be a leader, striving for excellence in the diesel industry. That is why I have chosen to pursue a dual major in Diesel Technology—Medium Heavy-Duty Truck and Diesel Technology Heavy Equipment—complemented by a certification in Welding Technology. As a determined and passionate young woman entering into a traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology, I embrace each day as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions. My role in these dynamics cannot be overlooked. I am looking for equity in opportunity. I want an equal opportunity to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities. It is exciting to infuse myself as a valuable asset to the team, by earning trust and respect. With every skill I master, I become more self-sufficient, breaking down traditional ideas and providing young girls with a strong role model. I gain a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I have earned my position. Having advance degrees will enhance my dream of being a catalyst for change within the automotive and diesel industry. As I continue to immerse myself into this traditionally male-dominated career field, I want to embody the perfect balance between a master mechanic and a feminine woman. I aspire to be a strong role model for future generations while maintaining everything that is uniquely me. I carry with me a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful. It is exciting to know when I enter the workforce, I can enhance the traditional team dynamics by bringing a female perspective and communication style that are not traditionally found in an automotive shop. It has not been easy being a woman training for a degree in diesel technology. I am the only woman in the program and not many shops have female technicians. This significant gender gap creates challenges when trying to find internships and job placements. This is why my story will be a bit different when I enter the workforce. My career path is going to go one of two directions. Either someone in this traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology is going to have to take a chance, on my advance degrees and knowledge and allow me to prove myself or I will blaze my own path and create an all-female auto repair shop. Where the goal will be to strengthen the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Where we will instill confidence, and educate our customers to take the mystery out of automotive repair.

Allison Prentice Joseph Ford Trade Scholarship 1. I have chosen to dual major in Diesel Technology—Medium Heavy-Duty Truck and Diesel Technology Heavy Equipment complemented by a certification in Welding Technology. 2. Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road. 3. I shoot for the Southeastern Illinois College archery team. When I was in high school, I worked in an archery shop and was trained as a bow tech. The archery team at Southeastern Illinois is comprised extremely talented archers as well as some alternative college students in special needs programs. We only have one requirement and that is all archers must want to shoot and are willing to put the time in to be part of the team. As the only member of the team that knows how to work on the equipment I must be constantly thinking outside the box. We have members of the team that do not have their own equipment or have ill-fitting equipment. As the bow tech I must be creative and think beyond the “rules” to set up a bow, a set of arrows and a release that will work, keep them and others safe. I find it truly exciting when I get to see some of these athletes have to opportunity to be successful. However, with the progress that is made, there is always mistakes and learning happening. This again is a time I must be creative so I do not frustrate the shooter. I encourage them to keep trying while keeping them safe. One of the times that took every bit of creativity I have was the afternoon an archer dryfired their bow. The cam rolled all the way over and trapped the string. Emotionally, I had to stay calm and reassuring despite being unsure of how to progress. I had to devise a plan to release the tension without breaking the limbs, injuring myself or any one else. Then try to get the archer back out on the field with replacement equipment and I quickly altered to fit him. Being creative in order to get a bow in their hands, seeing the excitement when they are successful and sharing my love for archery it is a lot work but I would not change it for the world. 4. I am currently in my second year at Southeastern Illinois in the diesel technology program. I am a determined and passionate young woman entering into a traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology, I embrace each day as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions. My role in these dynamics cannot be overlooked. My story will be a bit different when I enter the workforce. I strive to embody the perfect balance between a master mechanic and a feminine woman. Living in Southeastern Illinois there are not many technicians like me. My career path is going to go one of two directions. Either someone in this traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology is going to have to take a change, and allow me to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities or I will blaze my own path and create an all-female auto repair shop. Where the goal will be to strengthening the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Where we will instill confidence, and educate our customers to take the mystery out of automotive repair. 5. I believe they would tell you that I am a strong, dedicated candidate that has proven myself despite not always having it easy. I was born unable to hear but I never let that stop me or define me. After a surgery at the age of one I could hear but not well. I have been playing catch up all my life but that has never been an excuse to quit, it only made me work harder. In my family there are no excuses only facts and how you are going to handle the problems. My mom is disabled and has had 30 surgeries over the last 17 years. That is not always easy when you are the kid whose mom is hurt. But to me that was motivation to be successful. No matter what I will succeed and make you proud.

Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road. As a determined and passionate young woman entering into a traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology, I embrace each day as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions. My role in these dynamics cannot be overlooked. I am looking for equity in opportunity. I want an equal opportunity to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities. It is exciting to infuse myself as a valuable asset to the team, by earning trust and respect from a traditionally male-dominated career. With every skill I master, I become more self-sufficient, breaking down traditional ideas and providing young girls with a strong role model. I gain a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I have earned my position with my knowledge and abilities. I dream of being a catalyst for change within the automotive and diesel technology field. The potential I have to alter a customer's views of women in the field, as well as the profession, is exhilarating. Automotive and diesel technicians are often underappreciated, whether it is due to their dirty, labor-intensive work, others' lack of knowledge of the complexity and importance of a technician, the mystery of what they do, or others' lack of awareness of the specialized training and continued education required to keep pace with the ever-changing industry. My goal is to change the view of an automotive and diesel technician by educating the customer and taking the mystery out of automotive repair. The automotive industry transcends all walks of life, a vehicle symbolizes freedom, allows for travel, and opens up the possibilities for careers and education. A vehicle also can be an equalizer, no matter who you are or what you do a broken-down vehicle can bring life to a screeching halt and steal a person’s freedom. An automotive technician works with every facet of the population yet for too long this profession's reputation has been based on trust or lack of trust. Customers never see the work being done, they never speak to the technician and just pay the bill. I believe to foster respect for the technicians they should be having meaningful interactions with the customer. This will give a face to the technician and aid in building mutual respect, trust, and appreciation for the work performed, strengthening the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Sharing the details and successes of the job will give the customer knowledge and validate the skills needed to accomplish the task. Customers having the opportunity to ask questions to build an understanding of the repairs, aids in building confidence in the industry, and fosters a positive view of the technicians. By embracing a successful career in automotive repair, educating customers through interactions, and always striving to be better than the day before, I can contribute to a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and help to break down barriers while pursuing my passions and advancing my professional goals.

I can’t think of a greater honor than earning a law enforcement badge and being invited to join a community. I want to work with young people, being proactive and fostering positive relationships that see law enforcement as friends and protectors. I want children from an early age to look to officers for help and guidance and not see the badge as the enemy. Being mindful that even small interactions can change someone’s life path, my interactions will be kind and caring treating everyone with respect and dignity. Spending time with young people is an opportunity to make an imprint in their minds of what an interaction with law enforcement can be like. In the end, they may not remember exactly what I said but they will remember how I made them feel. My goal when working with children of all ages is to be active and visible, building a foundation of respect and trust. Guiding the children of today to understand that mutual respect and trust cannot be given or demanded; it must earned. I want to strive for them to take responsibility for their actions and expect the consequence. This can only happen through consistent enforcement of the laws. Kids are not inherently bad in fact I believe there are times it develops because it is the only thing adults see. The ultimate compliment for a child is to trust and be trusted. Trust is knowing what to expect and that it is going to be fair. When an officer trust kids, it means they will act as expected and honestly. Respect is trust in action. Respect is what is earned based on the history of your actions. This foundation of trust and respect fosters a comfort level of knowing what to expect. Despite what many think, kids like boundaries and the feeling of being trusted and respected. Inevitably, mistakes will happen but with trust and respect, the relationship will be strong enough to last and the officer and child will take steps into the future together. The concept is very simple if we all know the expectations and take an honest look at our actions, the consequences should not be a surprise. My beliefs and goal to become a police officer were heightened the day Deputy Sheriff Eric Overall became our school liaison. Deputy Overall, filled our school halls with a powerful comfort. He guided students through the expectation and worked with them to discover why they chose the wrong path. Being a Sheriff, enforcing the rules and assigning consequences are part of the job but that is not what made Deputy Overall special. He excelled at making connections and getting to know each student. He was always there, in the drop-off line in the morning, in the halls, out on the playground, in the classroom and at the end of the day, to say goodbye. He instilled his “Never Give Up” belief into each community member. His big heart and huge smile held high expectations for each student, and he believed they could do it! He was our friend, protector, and biggest fan. Thanksgiving Day 2017 he did everything possible to keep our community safe. The deliberate actions of someone took him from us. Although our hearts hurt, it was no surprise that he died while trying to protect us. Deputy Sheriff Eric Overall had a way of caring beyond measure but being tough when necessary. The day his last call was broadcast across the airways, I knew someday I wanted to try to fill his shoes.

My life changed on February 4, 2014, when my mom suffered a spinal cord injury moving a box in her classroom. I was young when this happened, but I know my life would be completely different if it hadn't happened. In the last few years, she has had over 20 surgeries, spent countless days in the hospital, and spent many hours at doctors. In addition to having to stop her beloved teaching job, she had to relearn some basics. Despite constant pain, she smiles every day. Please don't misunderstand, I would give anything to have my mom pain-free, but I have learned so much through her. Until that day, we lived a traditional family life full of activities and were always heading in different directions. Life's little things seemed huge. We were a family full of love and laughter but time moved quickly and memories flew by. The ups and downs that occur when a family member has a catastrophic injury can be paralyzing. Even before the first surgery, my mom told us she was going to be fine but might just need to do things differently. My family did not run and hide when times got tough. We rallied together to be stronger and celebrate each victory. She taught me how to look at challenges and discover the best possible solution and figure out a way to make it work. Directions were not included with her spinal cord injury and my parents always told us “We would figure it out”. To this day every time I leave the house, I receive a kiss on the head and am told “Go make memories”. That is exactly how my parents do everything. Life is all about making the best of what we have. Life slowed my mom but never stopped her. I was made to grow up quickly and always knew my job was to be a kid. We have lived our lives making the most of every situation and making memories of a lifetime since her injury. The days of worrying about the little things, making others happy, and following perceived rules are gone. As I have gotten older, I have discovered the real story behind some of the decisions. I discovered right after my mom got hurt we had months without pay and we were struggling to put food on the table. Our house is small but has lots of stairs. In order to alleviate the situation, my parents packed us up and brought us to Missouri, just outside Six Flags, where we lived in a camper. My brother and I thought we were living a dream life spending the day in the park, our evenings fishing, and around the campfire roasting marshmallows. I later discovered that this was a financial decision, it was cheap and a "much better size" than living in the house. My parents used our savings to purchase Six Flags season tickets with a meal plan. This nontraditional decision gave us a roof over our heads, we were guaranteed two meals a day plus a snack, and we could play taking our minds off everything. The life I was given because of her injury is very nontraditional. But I believe I have learned tomorrow is not a given so value what is import to you, live life to the fullest and always look of opportunities to make memories. An injury may have changed the way my family looks at life, but I am happy it shaped me into the person I am today.

I envision taking STEM into nature where it can be utilized to save the lives of countless people. This will change the way people see and interact with national parks. As a National Park Ranger, I plan on using technology to give people the freedom to explore while knowing they are safe. One such invention that helps accomplish this is using Google Earth to make the world smaller. Chris Sheldrick, Jack Waley-Cohen, Mohan Ganesalingam, and Michael Dent divided the world into 57 trillion squares, three meters by three meters. What3Words was born. What3Words was built out of necessity to deliver band equipment to different venues and has evolved to save lives. Wrong addresses, streets that do not exist, and confusing GPS coordinates can leave anyone lost. On the side of a mountain, the situation can get scary quickly. It is difficult to get help when the location is unknown. What3Words has developed different ways to use its application based on real situations. If there is a cell phone signal click Find Me and send the 3-word location to the rescue crews. They will know the location within 3 meters by 3 meters. In the National Parks, there are locations without a cell phone signal or WiFi, What3Words has safeguards to help find people. If the sky is visible, the app uses satellites to find the 3-Word location. Enter the 3-Words in compass mode and follow the arrows to the location. You can use the 3-words to navigate to that location using the turn-by-turn navigation app that has been loaded for offline use. The app includes 50 different languages to ensure everyone can understand the words. The What3Words application is already changing how cities save lives. With What3Words, 911 callers no longer need to struggle with describing their location. Click the Find Me icon and the app generates 3-Words that mark the exact location. By sending the 3-Words to the rescue department, valuable time is saved. The exact location can also help decide what agency to send and what supplies are needed. The equipment needed is different if the location is in the ocean versus the forest. The Los Angeles City Fire Department has saved over 170 lost and injured hikers. What3Words has even helped find people buried in rubble after a tornado once a cell signal was found. As part of the National Park Services, I hope to change the way we locate lost and injured visitors. This will enable us to quickly get them the help they need and not put rangers in additional danger. The What3Words app has other uses when visiting national parks. These include guiding guests to a location and allowing them to feel confident when moving about the park. This would also assist with getting the application on visitors’ phones. I feel technology such as this is critical to the National Park Services, because it can change the way they operate and make the experience for visitors safer and more enjoyable while not affecting the beauty and national significance of the park itself. As a National Park Ranger in Law Enforcement, I hope to advocate for the safe and responsible use of technology in rescue situations. I believe there is a way to respect people’s privacy and still use technology to save lives. In the United States, we have the infrastructure available through satellites to detect problems and locate victims. However, currently, subscriptions for services and a lack of personal smart technologies are creating inequity in people that can be located and saved.

Being an athlete on a team looks, feels, and sounds familiar to most people. I believe there is a better way to communicate in sports, but it's difficult to implement because of old habits. I believe in the statement “I want to beat you on your best day.” This simply means I want to raise you up so you can be your best, and if I win, I know I earned it. Athletics has become a place where athletes do whatever is necessary to win. As a result, the targeted athlete is emotionally hurt, and the sport is no longer enjoyable. I am a female young adult who shoots competitive archery. Archery is a physically and mentally demanding sport. Because archery is an individual sport, archers must be able to control their nerves and adjust and repair their equipment on the range alone. This alone can be overwhelming. Now add an opponent who is trying to make their competitor feel like less of a person or deliberately creating problems. This can lead to archers quitting. During the tournament, a competitor made me the target, and I vowed not to let it happen again. This was the start of my journey to change archers' interactions. My goal was to build the sport and bring out the best in all archers through communication. After a long day of shooting, I discovered that no matter if an archer won or lost they talked about how the competition made them feel. That is a lot of power they are giving their opponent or are they taking it? They are opponents, not enemies. It is wrong to be miserable doing what you love. This is when I vowed to see the best in my competitors. I began with simple acts of goodwill and kindness, such as letting someone know they had a good shot. When that worked well, I quickly progressed to conversations. I found myself listening and asking questions. Archers travel from all corners of the country, and we discovered what we have in common and what we can learn from each other. Ultimately, my acts of kindness didn't change the way I shot that day, but I was so much happier. In the next tournament, I focused on ownership. Archery is a self-scoring sport, so honesty and trustworthiness are required. But taking ownership is one of the most challenging lessons to learn. Mistakes will happen, but offering excuses and laying blame is a quick way to divide a group. To change the way archers interact, I had to lead by example. I made my first mistake, and I placed the blame on myself, and I could almost feel their respect growing. When my competitor made a mistake, I countered with encouraging and supportive comments. As the tournament progressed, our group talked through the good and the bad. We became more comfortable, confident, and shot without fear. My idea of improving competitors' interactions was tested when a competitor had an issue with her equipment and faced disqualification. My decision happened quickly and without thought, but I wasn't the only one. We all circled to support her and repair her equipment. Finishing the tournament, we all shot better and stronger. Coming off the course the conversations and laughter continued. The competitive spirit is still strong but without poor sportsmanship. It seems to recognize someone’s achievements and celebrate their victories does not make you less of an athlete, it makes you a good sport. We need to look at the future of archery to continue to grow and that is exactly who we are.