The smell of paint and drywall lingered in the air—each brush stroke, every early morning, and late night a reflection of the hard work I watched my father put into his craft. Growing up and seeing the joy my father gained from the work he did inspired me; even though it was physically demanding, he took pride in knowing his skills provided stability for our family. These little moments shaped my respect for hands-on work and put in me a desire to pursue a career in the trades.  I knew I wanted to work in the trades, but the hardest part for me was choosing something I would enjoy. While in high school, I researched the different options out there, from HVAC to plumbing. As I explored these fields, I became specifically interested in appliance and refrigeration technology because it combines electrical, mechanical, and problem-solving skills. The moment I got into the appliance repair industry, I instantly gained a passion for it. What made it so appealing was the uncertainty, as no appliance is the same, each having a different function, component, and manufacturer. This means every job done requires a different approach, which I love, as it never gets boring and forces me to adapt and learn. As being a lifelong learner is one of my core goals, and this trade challenges me to do exactly that every day.  My long-term goal is to gain as much hands-on experience as possible and eventually start my own appliance repair business. I would also like to create an online school where people who are interested in appliance repair can learn all the skills and knowledge needed to go out and do it themselves. Ultimately, I want to create a lifelong career within this field and provide for my family. One of the most challenging experiences in my life occurred when I was eight years old and hospitalized due to appendicitis. During this time in my life, my family had just migrated from Haiti to the Bahamas, and we were still struggling to get financially settled. The situation was made even worse when the doctor delivered the news to my parents that I had to have immediate surgery on my appendix. Through a government assistance program, they were able to receive financial assistance to ensure that I received the care that I needed.  Although the surgery was a success, I faced emotional challenges in the aftermath of the surgery, such as anxiety, fear, and constantly experiencing nightmares. However, through the continuous support of my family, I was not only able to heal physically but emotionally as well. My parents and siblings spent their time providing me with the care that I needed, not just physically but also emotionally, as Though my family played a big role, they were not the only support system during this difficult time in my life, as church members and friends provided much-needed support in the form of prayer, food, and words of encouragement. With the support of all of my family, friends, God, and church congregation. I was able to heal and regain my joy and happiness, slowly getting better over time. Through this experience, I truly learned the value of community and the importance of it in one's life. Without the people around me, I would not be the man I am today, and I am thankful for each moment spent with them.

The smell of paint and drywall lingered in the air—each brush stroke, every early morning, and late night a reflection of the hard work I watched my father put into his craft. Growing up and seeing the joy my father gained from the work he did inspired me; even though it was physically demanding, he took pride in knowing his skills provided stability for our family. These little moments shaped my respect for hands-on work and put in me a desire to pursue a career in the trades. I knew I wanted to work in the trades but the hardest part for me was choosing something I would enjoy while in high school I researched the different options out their from HVAC to plumbing as I explored these fields, I became interested in appliance and refrigeration technology because it combined electrical, mechanical, and problem-solving skills. The moment I got into appliance repair, I instantly gained a passion for it. What made it so appealing was the uncertainty, as no appliance is the same, each having a different function, component, and manufacturer. This means every job done requires a different approach, which I love, as it never gets boring and forces me to adapt and learn. As Being a lifelong learner is one of my core goals, and this trade challenges me to do exactly that every day. My long-term goal is to gain as much hands-on experience as possible and eventually start my own appliance repair business. I would also like to create an online school where people who are interested in appliance repair can learn all the skills and knowledge need to go out and do it themselves. Ultimately I want to create a life long career within this field and provide for my family. The biggest challenge for me in trying to achieve these goals is the financial side of it. Currently, I am In my second year at Orange Technical College, the biggest struggle for me has been covering the tuition, and since I don't qualify for financial assistance due to my immigrant status, the full cost falls on me. Which is why if I were to win the scholarship, I would be able to cover the rest of my tuition at Orange Get Technical College without feeling burnt out. This scholarship would help release some of the stress and allow me to focus on improving my skills rather than having to work a lot to cover the cost of tuition and other bills.

My plans for the future are deeply rooted in the experiences that shaped me growing up in a Haitian immigrant household. From a young age, the importance of education was strongly instilled in me. Although my parents did not have the chance to further their own education, they always believed that learning plays a tremendous role in ensuring long-term success. Their actions proved this belief. When we lived in the Bahamas, I watched my mom recycle cans and my dad work construction jobs and paint houses—doing everything they could to make sure my siblings and I had the materials we needed for school. Their sacrifices are the foundation of my motivation today. These experiences shaped my future goals. I plan to earn a degree in construction engineering so I can help improve the living conditions of communities both in the United States and in the Caribbean. Growing up in a predominantly low-income neighborhood in the Bahamas, I saw many homes that were unsafe, deteriorating, and not up to basic living standards—including my own. Witnessing this firsthand created my desire to help rebuild and strengthen communities like the ones I grew up in. My long-term goal is to use my engineering education to help address housing issues, create safer infrastructure, and eventually give back not only to communities in the U.S., but also to the Bahamas—and one day, Haiti. Pursuing higher education is also a personal milestone for me. As the first person in my family to attend college, I want to honor my parents’ sacrifices and break generational barriers. But my plans go beyond personal success. Going to college gives me the chance to inspire other Haitian immigrants who may feel that higher education is out of reach. I want to show that our backgrounds and financial struggles do not define the heights we can reach. By accomplishing something that once felt impossible, I hope to motivate my siblings, cousins, and the next generation. This scholarship will directly support my plans by easing the financial burden of pursuing my degree. It will allow me to stay focused on my education, continue striving for academic excellence, and move closer to becoming a construction engineer who can make a real difference in underserved communities. With this scholarship, I can turn my parents’ sacrifices into something meaningful and continue building a better future for myself, my family, and the communities connected to my journey.

Growing up in an immigrant household, my parents instilled in me the importance of education, despite not having the opportunity to further their own. They strongly believe in education as a key to success .and so Receiving the Emerging Leaders in STEM Scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve my dreams, enabling me to become one of the first in my family to attend college. This scholarship would not only provide financial support but also motivate me to build the characteristics necessary for future success. The support this scholarship offers would be truly life-changing, allowing me to smoothly transition from high school to college while ensuring my emotional and physical well-being. With this foundation, I'm excited about the opportunities available at the colleges I'm interested in, particularly in programs that offer hands-on learning and internships. My goal is to pursue a career in civil engineering, and I'm drawn to the Construction and Civil Engineering Technology A.S. degree. Through this program, I aim to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field. My long-term goals include transferring to a top university like the University of Central Florida (UCF), Florida International University (FIU), or Florida State University (FSU) to pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, followed by a master's degree in Structural Engineering. In the long term, I envision myself working at the intersection of policy, community development, and engineering, where I can leverage my skills and knowledge to drive systemic change. I'm excited to contribute to initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and social justice, and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all. With the support of the Super Scholar Scholarship, I'm confident that I'll be able to make a lasting impact and achieve my goals. A significant experience that changed my life was being hospitalized at age 8 due to appendicitis. During this challenging time, my family had just migrated from Haiti to the Bahamas and was struggling financially. The situation worsened when I needed immediate surgery. However, through government assistance and the unwavering support of my family, church members, and friends, I was able to heal physically and emotionally. This experience taught me the value of community and the importance of hard work, knowing that my success honors the sacrifices made for me. If awarded the Emerging Leaders in STEM Scholarship I'm committed to applying myself, remaining focused on my studies, and making the most of the opportunities provided. This scholarship would be the first step towards reaching my goal and ensuring my future success. I'm motivated to inspire other immigrants who come from similar backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of education and determination. I'm thankful for this opportunity and will strive to achieve betterment for myself and those around me.

Leaving a lasting impact on this world doesn't always have to be big; one must just leave it better than one found it. This deeply resonates with me. As an inspiring entrepreneur, I tend to often focus on the things that benefit myself, such as the freedom, wealth, and financial independence it provides. While those things are important, I believe the greatest benefit of all is the servitude and support we can provide to our community and family. The meaning of an entrepreneur has always carried weight to me. I remember vividly growing up and seeing my brother go to work for a man who owned a small grocery store. This store was a pillar in our community; it provided groceries, jobs, and support to the community. Witnessing the positive impact this small business had on our community sparked a similar desire in me to create a lasting impact through my own entrepreneurial endeavors. As I pursue my own entrepreneurial journey in the appliance repair field, I plan to leverage my skills in reading diagrams and technical problem-solving to provide top-notch service to my customers. My goal is to not only fix appliances efficiently but also to create opportunities for young people in my community to learn valuable trades and develop skills that can lead to financial independence. Through my experiences and the lessons I've learned, I aim to offer more than just appliance repair services. I strive to build a business that serves as a foundation for community growth, providing resources and support where it's needed most. By doing so, I hope to make a tangible difference in people's lives and contribute to the betterment of my community. In addition to providing quality appliance repair services, I plan to implement community outreach programs that promote education and skill-building in the trade industry. By partnering with local schools and organizations, I aim to create a pipeline of talented and motivated individuals who can succeed in the trade industry. This not only benefits the individuals but also contributes to the overall economic growth and development of my community. Through my business, I hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and tradespeople who share my passion for making a positive impact. By working together, I believe we can build stronger, more resilient communities that thrive for years to come. I am truly grateful for the opportunity given to apply to this scholarship.

The quote "Be what you want to be and not what others want to see" truly resonates with me. Although my decision to go to a trade school and begin the process of getting my certificate as an appliance technician may not be the traditional route, I am truly happy with the decisions that I have made. This field not only allows me to better myself but also gives me the ability to serve others by fixing their appliances. My passion for this field has been strong for as long as I can remember. I always enjoyed working with my hands and loved to help my dad and brothers fix things around the house, such as the fridge and washer. This passion has fueled me to go to trade school and become a first-generation college student. Though many may look at my path as unorthodox, I truly believe this is what my calling is. I believe we are all meant to serve each other through our gifts and talents and that's what I plan to do with mine as my goal after trade school is to do free work such as fixing people's appliances for those who may not be able to afford. In conclusion, this scholarship would better help pay the tuition for my complete certification needed to work as an appliance technician and help kickstart my dream of owning my own appliance repair business shortly, which would better help me support my family and future family.

Hello, My name is Andre Joseph. I am Haitian, but I was born on the beautiful island of Nassau, Bahamas. I moved to the U.S. when I was just 8. I am a student at Wekiva High School and Orange Technical College. Due to the dual enrollment program, I plan to complete my certification in appliance technician by 2026 and begin my career right after. For the past year, I volunteered at the nonprofit Divine's Destiny's food and beverage pantry, where I logged in over 80 hours. Our mission was to glorify God through helping our community. My role was assisting with pickup, distribution, and organizing the inventory of the pantry and shed. Overall this experience made me a better leader and allowed me to better help my community.   I plan to work in the appliance repair field under a company for about 5 to 10 years. This hands-on experience will provide me with invaluable industry knowledge and skills. Afterwards, I intend to attend community college to pursue a degree in business, which would give me the necessary tools to successfully manage and operate my own appliance repair business.This scholarship would be great help in helping me pay the tuition to complete my certification. Currently, I am unsure how I will cover the costs, and this scholarship would greatly help to relieve my financial concerns. I would truly appreciate the support. I choose this field because it forces me to examine and analyze, as there are so many appliances out there, from refrigerators to washing machines and microwaves, each featuring their own components and switches and requiring distinct solutions to be solved. I also like the variety of opportunities within this field, as you either choose to work for a company or start your own business. You also have the options of working commercially or residentially or strictly selling appliances.   In conclusion, this scholarship would significantly assist in funding the tuition required to obtain the certification required to work as an appliance technician. It would also serve as a catalyst to initiate my dream of owning my own appliance repair business in the near future, thereby enabling me to better support my family and future generations. I am confident it will bring stability, security, and endless opportunities for growth and success. This award would be a pivotal stepping stone, empowering me to achieve my goals efficiently and push on in my career and also me to complete my education.