As a current high school senior, my educational goal is to attend the University of Kentucky and major in civil engineering. Growing up in Kentucky, the University of Kentucky is an institution that would allow me to achieve my goals. Educators such as Reginald Souleyrette, a professor in the civil engineering department, demonstrate the level of expertise in the civil engineering program. His influence is evident in opportunities like being invited to give a keynote at the International Symposium for Railroad Operations Research in Beijing, China. Such experiences, including touring China's latest high-speed rail line, highlight his unique insights and expertise. Besides the resources available to achieve my educational goals, my personal experience further motivates me to become a civil engineer. Growing up in Mexico until I moved to the U.S. at age ten, I have experienced and learned to overcome various challenges related to language, social, and adaptation barriers. However, these experiences have allowed me to learn skills such as perseverance, work ethic, and independence, which I find valuable in pursuing my desired field. Going from a kid who didn't know English at age ten to being valedictorian at my high school has provided me with a path to pursue what I want to study. Relying on generous scholarships such as this one will bridge the financial gap that is stopping me from achieving my educational goals. This scholarship would help tremendously as it will allow me to pursue a path toward my career goals. Working in a transportation company or organization such as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is a goal of mine. Working in transportation will provide me with the necessary experience and practice to succeed in my career—an essential factor in progressing further in my chosen field. Projects like the new I-71/75 bridge, adjacent to the Brent Spence Bridge, specifically capture my interest in considering a role within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The opportunities and experiences I could gain from working on such projects demonstrate the significance of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Projects like the Brent Spence Bridge, which carries an estimated 80,000 vehicles each day, showcase the importance of finding solutions to transportation problems. Joining such an essential organization not only impacts the citizens but also contributes to the economy. The character and responsibility a civil engineer is required to have when in charge of the design and building process of a building can determine the safety effectiveness, which can jeopardize people's lives. Although this is daunting, being able to be a part of such impactful movements in society motivates me to pursue this career. To achieve my education and career goals, this scholarship will provide financial support and alleviate the burden of tuition fees and other educational expenses. With this assistance, I can fully focus on my studies, engage in extracurricular activities, and pursue internships or research opportunities that will enrich my learning experience and prepare me for a successful career in civil engineering. Additionally, this scholarship will enable me the time to participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and networking events, further expanding my knowledge and professional connections in the field of transportation engineering. By leveraging the opportunities afforded by this scholarship, I am confident that I can achieve my aspirations of becoming a skilled civil engineer and making meaningful contributions to transportation infrastructure and safety.

I'm more than passionate about obtaining a civil engineering degree; to me, it's an example for my family and a sign of accomplishment. Growing up, I had a difficult life. From ages 1 to 10, I grew up in Mexico where my family faced multiple financial struggles. After I moved back to the United States, I was involved in a lot of physical labor jobs with my dad. These included working in pig farms and doing yard work. However, it wasn't until I was 13 years old that my dad bought my current home, and we started remodeling it. The remodeling process ranged from plumbing installation, drywall, windows/doors, electrical, tile work, farming, among various tasks. Throughout this 9-month process, I got to experience what working in physically demanding jobs such as construction was like. Being transparent, I didn't enjoy doing the physical labor because it isn't an easy job. However, I did enjoy seeing the process of the building process. This event sparked my interest in directing building projects, which led me to find civil engineers and construction managers. When considering both, I realized civil engineers were the starters of every building project since they designed the plans for each structure. This interested me specifically because I enjoy the task of finding solutions for problems. Although civil engineering is a hard task due to the amount of responsibility, independence, and education required, my life experiences have shaped me to possess such qualities. Since arriving in the U.S., I had to experience a change in language, culture, and socially. Learning a new language and being able to adapt academically presented various challenges. Throughout middle school and high school, I've had to rely mostly on myself since my parents don't have much understanding to help academically. Reflecting on how I became a 6th grader who didn't know how to speak English to a senior who is his high school's valedictorian makes me realize how much I've had to adapt and change in my habits. Although not growing up in the U.S. my whole life set a major setback, without it, I wouldn't be able to accomplish multiple things relying mostly on myself. Therefore, I like the idea of being in charge of building structures that bring a lot of responsibility but also have to fulfill the people's safety and reliability. I consider myself to have the character to fulfill such a role, and through the many challenges I've faced, I believe that only a few people should take on such important careers, and I believe I'm capable of becoming a civil engineer.

My name is Andre Cervantes, and my interest in how buildings are made began to develop in 8th grade. Between 8th grade and my freshman year, I actively participated in constructing the house I currently live in with my dad. After school, I was involved and helped in various tasks, such as changing floor beams, plumbing, putting up drywall, walls, fences, concrete slabs, and a new porch. This hands-on experience over an 11-month period sparked my fascination with the construction and building process. While I enjoyed contributing to the development of constructing a building, the physical labor under the sun and heat taught me about the challenges of the job. After a reality check, I shifted my focus to the root of the building process, leading me to discover civil engineering. Further research enlightened me about civil engineers' role in designing infrastructure like bridges, roads, airports, and pipelines. This discovery caught my attention and fueled my interest in pursuing a career in civil engineering. School field trips and extracurricular activities allowed me to witness the importance of civil engineers. During a trip to Lexington for state cross country, I observed the multiple highways, bridges, and buildings undergoing construction. Each time I saw these structures, I recognized the role of a civil engineer in planning the construction. Instead of finding the job daunting, I felt a sense of pride toward the engineer for leading such impactful projects. Envisioning the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment I could achieve by becoming a civil engineer motivated me further. I hope to work in a transportation company, more specifically the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, because I believe it will provide me with the necessary experience and practice with projects like the new I-71/75 bridge, adjacent to the Brent Spence Bridge. Moreover, the qualities required to be a civil engineer, such as leadership, independence, communication, and mathematical understanding, motivate me to pursue this career path. Growing up in Mexico from ages one to ten taught me a lot of character and discipline to value my opportunities. Between that time, I lived with my mom and didn't live with both of my parents until moving back to the U.S. after I turned ten. Being able to witness my mom struggle financially and to provide essential services such as food and a way of transportation made me value what I have. While it is true that my mom struggled financially because she didn't have a high income, most of the struggles were caused by my education. Private schools in Mexico are by far more superior than the public schools which made me appreciate the opportunities and value what I have which I think has helped me build my character. Furthermore, Upon moving to the U.S., I had to face cultural and language issues throughout middle school and high school. Now being able to name myself as the number one-ranked student of my graduating class, I've had to develop independence, problem-solving skills, and perseverance to adapt to a new culture and succeed in it. Therefore, I consider myself capable of fulfilling the qualities that civil engineers require. Ultimately, my motivation to be part of the transportation cabinet stems from the impact I could have on people's lives by ensuring safe and efficient transportation. However, it goes beyond that; understanding the required qualities and personnel to be part of this significant job feels like a calling to me. I am confident in possessing the qualities and character to become a proficient engineer and contribute as a vital part of the transportation cabinet.