When I was a kid, I remember my friends playing and imagining they had jobs, pretending to be things such as firefighters or teachers. I liked to imagine when I was little too. But instead of picturing myself rescuing people or educating students, I pictured myself under the hood of a classic automobile such as the 1973 Corvette that my grandpa used to own and would always reminisce about. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. What drives this passion, aside from my own enjoyment, is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. Knowing that the work I immensely enjoy helps others safely go about their lives makes me all that much more passionate about this field. I have always enjoyed helping others, volunteering when and where I can, and I am very happy that I have found a career path that not only brings me joy, but also puts smiles on the faces of those who I help. Additionally, everyone I have ever asked remembers their first car. All of us have stories that take place in vehicles. We take photos with them, we hit the road on vacations, and we spend countless hours cleaning and waxing them because cars are more than just cars, they are part of us. This is why I am also passionate about the field of restoration. Ultimately, my dream career will be to own my own restoration shop. Working every day to bring back to life old, deteriorated vehicles while also bringing back to people the memories those vehicles carry would put an endless smile to my face (and theirs). Restoring a car is more than just making sure the wheels turn and the dashboard lights up, it’s restoring memories such as first dates or driving lessons. When you restore a car, you bring back to life not only the vehicle but also that person's stories. Being able to do this for others would truly be a dream come true. While talking to my friends, which I admit is not exactly a scientific study, it is clear that many of them have not found the thing they are passionate for yet. They all have ideas about colleges and majors, some even have jobs they would eventually like to end up with, but I feel incredibly lucky that I have found mine. And I feel even luckier that what I am passionate about will not only bring me joy, but will put smiles on the faces of countless others.

It’s not uncommon for younger kids to have to be dragged into school kicking and screaming, but by the time you get to second grade that phase has usually passed. However, that's when it started for me. Up until that point, I loved school (and luckily I am a fan now again), but for a stretch, it was a rough go. For years my parents, teachers and myself couldn’t figure out what was going on as things only got worse. Not only was I not wanting to go to school, but walking anywhere would take me two to three times as long as anyone else because I would scout the ground looking for anything “cool” to collect, like fun shaped wood chips or other trinkets. Luckily, in junior high we were finally able to pinpoint the problem. It wasn’t that I didn’t like going to school, it was that I was suffering from separation anxiety combined with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). With this new information in hand, I was able to work with therapists to control and learn to live with these disorders. Today, I am aware of how these issues work and how I am able to control them. It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been times that I have slid backwards, but through the help of those around me and by putting in the work myself where needed, I am proud to say that I have not only managed my mental health but that I am at a very good place as I prepare to transition from high school to the next level. As it relates to my career, this obstacle in life has also helped remind me that in the automotive restoration field, many times the answer is not easy, and that you have to work towards successful solutions. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. Restoring a car is more than just making sure the wheels turn and the dashboard lights up, it’s restoring memories such as first dates or driving lessons. When you restore a car, you bring back to life not only the vehicle but also that person's stories. Being able to do this for others would truly be a dream come true, and with the help of this scholarship I will be able to pursue my own dreams and help others recall their dreams as well. Just as we all have to work on ourselves and our own lives, success in the automotive field requires hard work and dedication as well, and with the help of your scholarship, I look forward to putting in the work at the next level as I prepare for my career and the rest of my life in automotive restoration and technology.

When I was a kid, I remember my friends playing and imagining they had jobs, pretending to be things such as firefighters, teachers or chefs. I liked to imagine when I was little too. But instead of picturing myself rescuing people, educating students, or cooking meals, I pictured myself under the hood of a classic automobile such as the 1973 Corvette that my grandpa used to own and would always reminisce about. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. What drives this passion, aside from my own enjoyment, is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. Knowing that the work I immensely enjoy helps others safely go about their lives makes me all that much more passionate about this field. Additionally, everyone I have ever asked remembers their first car. All of us have stories that take place in vehicles. We take photos with them, we hit the road on vacations, and we spend countless hours cleaning and waxing them because cars are more than just cars, they are part of us. This is why I am also passionate about the field of restoration. Ultimately, my dream career will be to own my own restoration shop. Working every day to bring back to life old, deteriorated vehicles while also bringing back to people the memories those vehicles carry would put an endless smile to my face (and theirs). Restoring a car is more than just making sure the wheels turn and the dashboard lights up, it’s restoring memories such as first dates or driving lessons. When you restore a car, you bring back to life not only the vehicle but also that person's stories. Being able to do this for others would truly be a dream come true. For my next step, I plan on pursuing a degree in Automotive Restoration from McPherson College. Their program truly combines what interested me most about cars. Only 50 students a year are accepted into this one-of-a-kind program, and as a small liberal arts college, the price tag is expensive, but completely worth it I believe. With the help of the Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship I will be able to make my dreams, and eventually the dreams of others, come true.

When I was a kid, I remember my friends playing and imagining they had jobs, pretending to be things such as firefighters, teachers or chefs. I liked to imagine when I was little too. But instead of picturing myself rescuing people, educating students, or cooking meals, I pictured myself under the hood of a classic automobile such as the 1973 Corvette that my grandpa used to own and would always reminisce about. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. What drives this passion, aside from my own enjoyment, is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. Knowing that the work I immensely enjoy helps others safely go about their lives makes me all that much more passionate about this field. Additionally, everyone I have ever asked remembers their first car. All of us have stories that take place in vehicles. We take photos with them, we hit the road on vacations, and we spend countless hours cleaning and waxing them because cars are more than just cars, they are part of us. This is why I am also passionate about the field of restoration. Ultimately, my dream career will be to own my own restoration shop. Working every day to bring back to life old, deteriorated vehicles while also bringing back to people the memories those vehicles carry would put an endless smile to my face (and theirs). Restoring a car is more than just making sure the wheels turn and the dashboard lights up, it’s restoring memories such as first dates or driving lessons. When you restore a car, you bring back to life not only the vehicle but also that person's stories. Being able to do this for others would truly be a dream come true. For my next step, I plan on pursuing a degree in Automotive Restoration from McPherson College. Their program truly combines what interested me most about cars. Only 50 students a year are accepted into this one-of-a-kind program, and as a small liberal arts college, the price tag is expensive, but completely worth it I believe. With the help of the Hamilton Farm Scholarship I will be able to make my dreams, and eventually the dreams of others, come true.

It’s not uncommon for younger kids to have to be dragged into school kicking and screaming, but by the time you get to second grade that phase has usually passed. However, that's when it started for me. Up until that point, I loved school (and luckily I am a fan now again), but for a stretch, it was a rough go. For years my parents, teachers and myself couldn’t figure out what was going on as things only got worse. Not only was I not wanting to go to school, but walking anywhere would take me two to three times as long as anyone else because I would scout the ground looking for anything “cool” to collect, like fun shaped wood chips or other trinkets. Luckily, in junior high we were finally able to pinpoint the problem. It wasn’t that I didn’t like going to school, it was that I was suffering from separation anxiety combined with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). With this new information in hand, I was able to work with therapists to control and learn to live with these disorders. Today, I am aware of how these issues work and how I am able to control them. It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been times that I have slid backwards, but through the help of those around me and by putting in the work myself where needed, I am proud to say that I have not only managed my mental health but that I am at a very good place as I prepare to transition from high school to the next level. As it relates to my career, this obstacle in life has also helped remind me that in the STEM field, many times the answer is not easy, and that you have to work towards successful solutions. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. Just as we all have to work on ourselves and our own lives, success in the STEM field requires hard work and dedication as well, and with the help of your scholarship, I look forward to putting in the work at the next level as prepare for my career and the rest of my life in STEM.

When I was a kid, I remember my friends playing and imagining they had jobs, pretending to be things such as firefighters, teachers or chefs. I liked to imagine when I was little too. But instead of picturing myself rescuing people, educating students, or cooking meals, I pictured myself under the hood of a classic automobile such as the 1973 Corvette that my grandpa used to own and would always reminisce about. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. What drives this passion, aside from my own enjoyment, is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. Knowing that the work I immensely enjoy helps others safely go about their lives makes me all that much more passionate about this field. For my next step, I plan on pursuing a degree in Automotive Restoration from McPherson College. Their program truly combines what interested me most about cars - the ability to troubleshoot and work my mind while solving problems, and their history (both as a car and as part of a person’s life). Restoring a car is more than just making sure the wheels turn and the dashboard lights up, it’s restoring memories such as first dates or driving lessons. When you restore a car, you bring back to life not only the vehicle but also that person's stories. Being able to do this for others would truly be a dream come true, and with the help of this scholarship I will be able to pursue my own dreams and help others recall their dreams as well. And ultimately, this is what success is about - finding something that you love that also helps others. Many people will define success as being financially stable, or finding fame in your industry, and there is nothing wrong with those definitions (and honestly, being financially stable sounds like a solid goal too), but for me, success is happiness. If I can be happy doing what I do and I can make others happy while doing it, then I would consider myself successful.

When I was a kid, I remember my friends playing and imagining they had jobs, pretending to be things such as firefighters, teachers or chefs. I liked to imagine when I was little too. But instead of picturing myself rescuing people, educating students, or cooking meals, I pictured myself under the hood of a classic automobile such as the 1973 Corvette that my grandpa used to own and would always reminisce about. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. What drives this passion, aside from my own enjoyment, is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. Knowing that the work I immensely enjoy helps others safely go about their lives makes me all that much more passionate about this field. For my next step, I plan on pursuing a degree in Automotive Restoration from McPherson College. Their program truly combines what interested me most about cars - the ability to troubleshoot and work my mind while solving problems, and their history (both as a car and as part of a person’s life). Restoring a car is more than just making sure the wheels turn and the dashboard lights up, it’s restoring memories such as first dates or driving lessons. When you restore a car, you bring back to life not only the vehicle but also that person's stories. Being able to do this for others would truly be a dream come true, and with the help of this scholarship I will be able to pursue my own dreams and help others recall their dreams as well. While talking to my friends, which I admit is not exactly a scientific study, it is clear that many of them have not found the thing they are passionate for yet. They all have ideas about colleges and majors, some even have jobs they would eventually like to end up with, but I feel incredibly lucky that I have found mine. And I feel even luckier that what I am passionate about will not only bring me joy, but will put smiles on the faces of countless others.

When I was a kid, I remember my friends playing and imagining they had jobs, pretending to be things such as firefighters, teachers or chefs. I liked to imagine when I was little too. But instead of picturing myself rescuing people, educating students, or cooking meals, I pictured myself under the hood of a classic automobile such as the 1973 Corvette that my grandpa used to own and would always reminisce about. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to be a part of the automobile industry. While my peers have gone back and forth over the years trying to figure out what they wanted to do, I have never wavered. One of the reasons for this passion is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find things such as puzzles, games, and brainteasers annoying, I find them a pleasurable challenge. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work finding that one missing piece of the puzzle. What drives this passion, aside from my own enjoyment, is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. Knowing that the work I immensely enjoy helps others safely go about their lives makes me all that much more passionate about this field. Additionally, everyone I have ever asked remembers their first car. All of us have stories that take place in vehicles. We take photos with them, we hit the road on vacations, and we spend countless hours cleaning and waxing them because cars are more than just cars, they are part of us. This is why I am also passionate about the field of restoration. While talking to my friends, which I admit is not exactly a scientific study, it is clear that many of them have not found the thing they are passionate for yet. They all have ideas about colleges and majors, some even have jobs they would eventually like to end up with, but I feel incredibly lucky that I have found mine. And I feel even luckier that what I am passionate about will not only bring me joy, but will put smiles on the faces of countless others.

One of the reasons I am passionate about the automotive industry is that I have always enjoyed solving problems. While some people find puzzles and brainteasers annoying, I find them pleasurable. I see working with automobiles as essentially one big brainteaser. And while the payoff for a puzzle for example is seeing your work completed, the payoff with a car is the sound of the engine turning over after many hours of hard work. What also drives this passion is that I see this as a field of service. We live in an automobile reliant society. People need cars and trucks to get to work, drive their kids to practice, or just enjoy a night on the town. And when your vehicle isn’t working, it is more than an inconvenience. Just as the world needs other service and technology trade workers, they need people who are passionate about automobiles like myself as well. My ultimate goal is to work in the field of automotive restoration, eventually owning my own restoration shop. Working to bring back to life old, deteriorated vehicles while bringing back people’s memories of those vehicles would put an endless smile on my face (and theirs). Restoring a car is more than just making sure it works, it’s restoring memories like a first date. When you restore a car, you not only bring back to life the vehicle, but also that person's stories. This is why I cannot wait to get to work in this field.