I stood there next to my mom young and giggly as she answered her phone awaiting the delightful voice of my dad. Was he coming home early to be with us? To tuck me in and kiss my forehead before I fell asleep. A happy and brilliant smile vanished from her face as it was taken over by an expression of panic and worry. The words "I'm fine but..." floated from the phone's speakers. He had dealt with the situation and called home immediately. You could hear his attempt at hiding his shaken-up self, trying to comfort my mother's racing mind. He had been hit head-on by a stolen car with a high and intoxicated driver. His heavy-duty work truck saved his life. He was injured, a minor concussion a fully torn rotator cuff and a messed up shoulder. It had popped out when the car struck his. My heart sank and the reality of my dad's job hit me. That situation might've ended very differently if it wasnt for his training, and my nine-year-old self could've been awaiting a goodnight kiss for the last time. This was neither the first nor the last time we received this call. My brave father served as an officer in our area. He has seen more than one person should ever have to encounter. Tragedy after tragedy, many of them stemming from the issue of an intoxicated driver. You may not see it every day, especially if you aren't looking for it, but DUIs affect more people than you will know. Whether you were a friend, a family member or even just an acquaintance, it still affects you in some way. In the past year, 1 in every 5 people have admitted to driving drunk. The sad reality is that the statistics just keep rising. I have been the friend, the family member and the acquaintance, not a single one is better than the last. I have watched firsthand the pain and trauma these accidents cause people. Watching as family members grieve the loss of a best friend to DUI and how it still affects them 20 years later. It is time for this to stop and for us to take a stand. This situation has become a lightly handled topic and it's time for that to change. The one thought of "I'm fine," or "just this once" could alter your life and the life of others in an instant. Everyone is different and there will always be challenges when finding a compromise in such situations. With that being said there are also consequences for your actions. Personally, I believe laws could be established where any sort of drinking while driving should be intolerable with fines that are heavily weighted. With more awareness outreaches, and educational opportunities through colleges and high schools. Demonstrations, and activities that gather the attention of students and adults rather than lose them in statistics and facts. There is no surefire way to approach this issue but in the future, as cars become more capable maybe the statistics of drunk driving will decrease. Even creating an atmosphere where people can gather to brainstorm on the prevention of drunk driving, I'm sure a consensus can be reached. The only question left is, what catastrophic event or sickening amount of cases will there be till the majority takes a stand to make a change?

It was my freshman year of high school and I sat quietly in the back of the classroom, my nose buried deep within a fantasy novel. My imagination running wild as if I was right there with the characters, crawling through a saturated forest. The mythical land before me was filled with brilliant colors and marvelous adventures, distracting me from the drearily brown classroom I sat in. My books and the authors who wrote them gave me an escape from reality. It quickly became a routine for the teachers to ask what novel I had started that week. Depending on the school workload, I could finish anywhere between 1-3 books. As I read more and more books by such talented authors, I dreamt of writing a book where someone could enjoy getting lost in their imagination just like I did. Many of these inspiring authors and storytellers were female entrepreneurs simply following their passions while crushing stereotypes. That alone motivated me to write short stories in the notes section of my phone or take on creative writing assignments in English class. Though I found myself despising writing essays and following prompts and utilizing guidelines for these classes. So I stepped away from writing as it had become more of a chore than a hobby. About four or five years go by mixed with many of life's twists, and I am now the sole owner and mechanic for "THAT TRACTOR CHICK" restorations and repairs. You may be thinking this has nothing to do with writing and I agree, but I've found a way to mesh them together. In the midst of reading Roger Welch's "Old Tractors and the Men Who Love Them" (a tractor mechanics book) I became inspired (yet again) by his ability to tell the story of his adventures and mistakes while heading face-first into his passion. Might I add he did this with no experience, something I can wholeheartedly relate to. His character and humor showed through his writing and had you rolling on the floor and enjoying every word of that read. I am now in the process of writing my first-ever book about facing the stereotypes as a female mechanic, the goofy and unfortunate situations I've found myself in and sharing my overall passion for antique tractors. Teaching others about the incredible mechanics that surround our everyday lives and how they came to be is an opportunity of a lifetime. Especially if I can share it through the power of a book. I hope to be an inspiration to other young ladies trying to find their passions in life, even if it isn't writing or mechanics. If it wasn't for those talented authors giving me an escape from reality while battling the hardships of life, I truly don't believe I'd be where I am today.

As I lay there in my bed, tears running down my cheeks, I glanced up to see the heartbroken face of my mother as she sat beside me. I felt helpless, hopeless and as if nothing good could ever come from such frustration, but she was there with me. From elementary to high school my health patterns had become that of a mid-state fair roller coaster. No one knew or truly cared what the cause was, except for her. She sat by my side on the rough days showing me love and faith in the Lord like no other. After years of unanswered prayers and constant questions, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that wrecked any plans I had for the future. With the shocking news, my mother didn't miss a beat praising the Lord for the answer. Not only did she exemplify a genuine faith in the plans that the Lord had for me, but she taught me how to praise Him in the storm of life. That lesson alone has saved me more times than she will ever know. Now it's been quite a few years since my diagnosis and a lot has changed since then, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've had the privilege to get to know my mother better not only as a mom but as my best friend. She has supported me every step of the way, even if encouragement was all she could do. When I came home telling her I was going to restore a tractor she was ecstatic, even though neither of us knew what we were doing. She did the same when I told her I was going to run a restoration business instead of becoming a veterinarian. That little encouragement alone pushed me past all of those who told me I couldn't and the hard times I would face in the next few years. We've battled tough jobs, discouraging people and health problems hand in hand. Now I'm not saying our story is perfect because Lord only knows the years of arguments and head-butting that my mother and I endured. But those years only contributed to a better understanding of each other and the learning of new lessons. She encouraged my faith, taught me how to live in it and how to share it with others. There are plenty of more lessons that my superhero mom has taught me through her actions as a foster mother, church camp director and even her everyday living, but there is one thing that will guide my life forever. The love that I have for my Lord and savior began with my mom reading me bible stories. That love continues to grow daily because of her. All of the other lessons and things that she has taught me to form who I am now, stem from being a Godly lady and following what the Lord has asked us to do. I truly have no words for how blessed I am to have her in my life. She will forever be my role model, mentor and best friend. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, mom!

Life is rough, and it can throw you curve balls, beat you up and overall get in your head. Sadly I think we all experience this from time to time in our lives, though it can be a great process of growth and finding the positives that come from the trials. My freshman year of college was a freeing time to explore my passion as a mechanic and my hobbies, but I felt stuck. I had struggled through the breakup of a friend group I had been with for years. I was leaving a situation where I couldn't be myself without constant criticism and judgment. Even though that was a difficult parting it was for the best. Now I was able to do all the things I wanted to with enthusiasm, go on adventures and prove the criticisms wrong. True friends will stick around and love you for who you are, not who they want you to be. In the craziness of it all, one of my lifelong friends began trying to convince me to go climbing. Now mind you, I am very adventurous and will do just about anything but for some reason, heights don't get along with me. I began finding an adventure every week to take on no matter how big or small, even if it was just a run on the beach and then breakfast. I was slowly finding myself and enjoying the incredible life we are each blessed with. That sweet friend left an open invitation to climb and at some point, I realized I've got to get over my fear of heights and said yes. After some very deep breaths at the top of the wall (which I still do at some heights) and one session of climbing, I was hooked. We began climbing anywhere from three to seven days a week, improving faster than we thought possible. Climbing has not only become a great place to escape the hectic work life, but has allowed me to meet some incredible people. I began to make new friends and acquaintances daily slowly becoming a part of the community. I am most definitely not the kind of person you would think to catch at the climbing gym (as I show up in boots and jeans) but everyone welcomed me to learn and try. This sport not only increased my health and fitness but it benefitted the muscles I needed for work purposes. Removing bolts from small places became increasingly easier as my grip strength grew. Needless to say, my life improved in all areas. As I still work to try new things and venture outside of my comfort zone, I have committed to a four-year college pursuing my passion for mechanics in hopes to build a career and business from it. Though I stand as a student fearing major debt just to pursue my dream. I have already scouted the area for climbing gyms and found a few that I look forward to visiting. This hobby will forever stick with me as it has created a common ground for me to meet new people and make friends as I go into a new state, town and community. It is truly a sport that brings anyone and everyone together.

As I walked into the high school Ag shop, there sat the remains of an antique Farmall tractor strewn across the floor and tables. Rust, dirt and oil coated the famous red parts, filling the shop air with a smell that will forever be ingrained in my head. One that is unique to just about any piece of antique equipment. My farm power teammates were a few strides ahead and they quickly began to introduce me to their newfound project for a local restoration competition. I had no clue what I was looking at, but it was incredible. This one introduction of a tractor and my teammates' willingness to teach and encourage me about these machines was enough persuasion for me to take on the same project the following year. With no mechanical knowledge, no family members to help, and no experience I jumped full force into the 9-month restoration process of a 1957 Ford 600 tractor. It became a learning experience like no other. I began with the inability to identify a wrench nonetheless a spark plug and came out with a restored tractor. I was on top of the world and it felt like a miracle that I could accomplish such things, but there was still more to learn. After this I knew deep down there was no stopping me. I picked up the small set of tools I had and began another restoration, one that would truly change my life. This time with a plan to win and fix every aspect of my tractor inside and out. I can now say with confidence, that as the 2021 National Chevron Tractor Restoration Grand Champion, nothing I put my mind to is impossible. In a little over two years, I went from city folk with an ambition to be in the Air Force to pursuing my passion as an Agricultural Mechanic and businesswoman. I had finally found my niche and after only two years decided to put it to good use. I am now the owner and mechanic for "THAT TRACTOR CHICK" Restorations & Repairs. This business aims to restore antique tractors not only as a passion but to help preserve the history of our agriculture and the knowledge that is being lost with the passing generations. An era that is slowly slipping away from us without so much of the records and wisdom being passed on. I work in documenting how these tractors work as I learn, in hopes to be helpful to those who follow in repairs or restorations. (Or maybe just love knowing how things work!) As I write this, I'm in the process of launching a website with access to tractor information, graveyards, part supplies and more. With this, there is gradual progress on a line of apparel and women's workwear. I've found that as a 5'2 gal with shoulders as broad as a board, acquiring durable and reasonably priced gear is a genuine struggle. So I am here to fix that. All the goals that I plan to accomplish are important to me, but there's one more that I feel should be at the top of the list. I may not be on TV or making an impression on hundreds of people through motivational speaking. But if I can make a difference in one person's life by being an inspiration of following a dream and starting from nowhere, then I can say with confidence I've made an impact. Take the discouragement people give you as a challenge and prove them wrong. My name is Annika Ernstrom and I am "THAT TRACTOR CHICK!"

Only a few hours old, draped with a thin cloth blanket, a diaper and a onesie, she lie in a stiff and worn-out car seat in our living room. Carrot orange hair laced her pale face as bright blue eyes opened occasionally as she squirmed and cried. I was nine years old and my heart ached for the helpless infant that lie in the seat before me. She would have a lifetime of struggles because of her alcohol and drug exposure. Growing up I had the privilege of being raised in a very down-to-earth Christian home. My family had been present in our local church for three generations, my parents were actively engaging in the ministries and my sister and I were right alongside from a very young age. After having my sister my parents said no more kids, but about 6 years later felt a tug on their hearts to serve as a foster family to abused, neglected and drug-exposed infants. We began this journey when I was about seven or eight years old and over the years have served as a home to just over 12 infants. Our second or third placement was the one that wrenched my heart the most and still does to this day. She was less than a day old when I first met her, pre-exposed to large amounts of meth and alcohol. Her mother had given birth and walked out of the hospital without another thought that she had just left a young child with mobility issues and mental disabilities for life because of her choices. The father had just become a dad and had no clue. Over the next six months, my mother taught me at nine years old how to take care of an infant from square one. I never would've thought that the motherly instincts us women carry could kick in at such a young age. Though I can now proudly say that at around age eleven, I could take care of a full household and infant for a week with little to no help. I will forever be grateful for that experience and that connection I had with my foster sister because it fuels my now desire to advocate and support the infants in foster care as I become a financially stable adult with the ability to do so. As the little girl grew I got to witness firsthand the effects that alcohol and drugs have on kids and the mess that the foster care system is. My family furthered their involvement in the foster care system by running a Royal Family Kids Camp for the local kids. After both of these incredible experiences, I have volunteered in the nursery for years with our church and aim to have a home someday that is open to infants in the foster system. There are not many that advocate for these helpless children and I want to be a part of keeping them safe in any way I can. I may not be a breaking news story or making a world of a difference in thousands of people's lives, but I can make a world of a difference in that one kid's life that needed a safe home.

The musty and potent smell of years of dirt and oil made its way to my nose. A smell I had never encountered before, but somehow felt like home. Over the past three years, it has become my home, ending every day with a smile, covered head to toe in oil, grease and dirt and I couldn't be happier. I am "THAT TRACTOR CHICK" and this is my story. Just around three years ago it was after class at a football game, that my dear friend called to help me enroll in a local tractor restoration competition completely on a whim, simply because it sounded interesting. With no prior experience, knowledge of what a wrench was and a missing piece as to what I wanted to do with my life, I jumped full force into a project like no other. I learned countless lessons not only about mechanics but gained life skills that have benefitted me in ways school never could. I come from a long line of no mechanics or agricultural-invested individuals, so my journey over the past three years has not only proven that you can achieve what you put your mind to, but that you can do anything no matter where you come from. After my first year of competitions, I was constantly told how I wouldn't ever win or do the job right, so I worked harder than ever and took home the 2021 Chevron National Tractor Restoration Grand Champion title. I had finally found my niche simply because I took the attempts at discouragement from others as a challenge and turned it into my newfound business. "THAT TRACTOR CHICK" restorations is a business based on my passion for antique tractors and tinkering. Though that is not the only goal of my business. Over the short time I've been in this industry, I have found at least two things that I aim to change for ladies in the trades. When working in such harsh environments the clothes that protect your body and allow for comfort make a world of a difference. As a 5'2" female, with size 6 shoes and shoulders as broad as a board, finding appropriate work gear is a genuine struggle. As I go through this journey of finding what works best for me, I'd like to create a resource for young women to find trustworthy brands, quality clothing and a genuine opinion. I've already taken a step closer to achieving this by creating a website that links brands and clothing that I find most durable by my standards. Let me tell you I am not gentle on clothing so it stands a true test of quality. When I began my journey, I had no clue that I jumped into what would become a life's worth of work, nor did I know where to start. That leads me to my second goal. The website will include a place full of information spanning a wide range of important topics, tips and tricks for this field, to give those with no experience or just an interest a place to start. I not only want to be able to provide the gear necessary but the knowledge and encouragement that those interested need to succeed. Who knows, maybe even publish a book or two about my restoration adventures, the trials I faced and an overall unique book that inspires anyone from any background to go for what it is that they are passionate about. Winning this scholarship would assist in funding my education to make this a successful business and career, thank you for your consideration.

Adversity is something I face every day as a female in Agricultural Mechanics, ranching and restoration industries. I come from a non-agriculture-based family, with no mechanics for generations and was born in the Los Angeles Area. With all that being said I constantly hear about how I can't do something because of where I'm from, how I was raised or who I am. But that will never stop me and it should never stop anyone else. Shortly after I was born we moved out of the city and were blessed to find a few acres in later years. High school was a rough time trying to figure out who I wanted to be and what I'd like to do with my life. Along the way, I found little hobbies and interests that I began to chase. I became fascinated with raising show hogs freshman year and despite all the accusations I became one of the top showmen all four years of high school. At the end of my Sophomore year, I became a part of the FFA Farm Power Team, learning what I could from our little group about agricultural mechanics. Little did I know that tractors would change everything. In my junior year, I began a tractor restoration project with no prior automotive classes or any clue what I was doing. The year went well and I placed in the top 12 finalists for the National Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition. I had found my niche but had a long way to go before I could even come close to making it. Senior year I took on the biggest project I would face, challenging me in every way possible. Many friends and family members reminded me of my lack of knowledge and how I would never finish. I did not place in the local competition but am now the 2021 National Grand Champion for the Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition. This sparked a wildfire in me. I am now the owner of "THAT TRACTOR CHICK" an antique tractor restoration business. I have not only proved those who doubted me wrong, but proven to myself I am capable of anything if I'm willing to work hard for it! That coming year I became the coordinator running the local tractor program and held that job for about a year. With great honor, I can say I am now self-employed and looking to further my education in school to help benefit my business and my overall love for mechanics. I have a way of going about my life that is based on how I was raised and the importance of how you treat others. Most accusations of "you can't do that" come from a sprout of insecurity in someone else. It has nothing to do with you because anything is possible if you truly want to achieve it, and I'm proof of that. No matter the situation, whether someone is rude, kind or simply in disbelief of your talents or dedication, it's important to handle it with the utmost professionalism. Taking the high road will always be incredibly difficult, but it will benefit you and your future every time without fail. I have firsthand watched these decisions lead me to better opportunities in life and chances to prove those who doubted me wrong. Going through life being offended by what others say will never get you anywhere, it will do nothing but satisfy them and slow you down. So take it as a challenge. The most dangerous thing you can do is tell me I can't. My answer will always be "game on!"

The genuine feeling of relief and the sinking of my gut all in one, came to me as I got the call of my diagnosis as a sophomore in high school. This news hit me pretty hard in the first few weeks that I had been diagnosed. I felt that if anyone found out they would treat me differently or I wouldn't be able to follow my passions in life. With that being said I couldn't be more thankful for the clear understanding of what was wrong and the learning experience that came along with it. It has taught me to adapt and work ten times harder for what I want to accomplish. As I went through sophomore year in high school I was a part of a Farm Power Team for FFA that would change my life. They had no clue what was going on behind the scenes but they made me feel included and encouraged me in my curiosity of agricultural mechanics. That following year I became invested in tractor restoration projects through a local program, allowing me to pursue my newfound passions. As I felt as if nothing would get better, tractors came my way and allowed me an out from the reality of the situation. Mechanics work is no small task and requires bounds of energy and strength. I learned to push through the groggy downs of Hoshimotos and take on smaller tasks to allow my body a recovery phase while still making progress. As a multi-sports athlete, the importance of maintaining a routine and workout plan became vitally clear. Workouts and physical exercise along with healthy eating gave me great amounts of relief from my daily battles. Though oftentimes I fought with the never-ending cycle where activity made symptoms worse and I was too ill to get back into the routines that would make it all better. The first week after every low point was the most brutal, pushing myself to not give in to the sluggish symptoms and tiredness. With a lot of support, I was able to improve greatly over the next few years as I continued the journey into adulthood and my career pathways. I now run "THAT TRACTOR CHICK," an antique tractor restoration business that provides mechanical assistance, apparel and more in an attempt to encourage young ladies in the field of mechanics. Finding my niche and learning how to work around the hiccups that life throws at me has been an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. Over the past few years, I have made it a priority in life to find new ways to exercise, not only for health benefits but it greatly increases my ability to be independent as a 5'2" mechanic. I can confidently move over 250 lbs in parts while wearing a smile. The health complications that I faced were there for a reason. They stopped my plans dead in their tracks and rerouted me with a better adventure. It gave me an opportunity of a lifetime, building unique skill sets, and a work ethic like no other. I am most definitely not perfect, but no one is, and I will forever accept any challenge thrown at me with a wide smile and an attitude of "game on!"