In my 21 years, life has been full of obstacles, setbacks, and incomplete paths—many of which I caused. At 18, I was in a serious accident that hurt both me and a friend. That moment showed me how fragile life is, but even then, I continued to struggle with drinking. March 2024, at 20 years old I was arrested for my first DUI after driving drunk. Instead of learning from it, I kept drinking and was arrested again just three days later—this time with a felony. I spent 120 days in jail, and that experience changed me. Faced with the option of a year in prison or four years probation, I knew I had to change. I chose sobriety. I went to rehab for 65 days, then lived in sober living for 90 days. There, I led AA and NA meetings for 30 to 40 other recovering addicts. That experience gave me a sense of purpose I’d never felt before. Since March 17, 2024, I’ve stayed sober—and I plan to stay that way for the rest of my life. Sobriety has opened my eyes. I now see how many people rely on substances to cope, but I’ve found more happiness and clarity in a sober life. Jail was a wake-up call, but it was also a blessing in disguise. I’m on probation until May 2026, but I’ve paid my dues, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. Outside of recovery, I live a simple, fulfilling life, The reason being why I write this essay now is to become a welder I am attending the South Florida State college welding program in August 2025, I have spoken with the instructor and he advised me I look for scholarships and so I’m doing all I can, I have a 225 stick welder at my house I have used for years and I’m just truly trying to go for it and chase a career in the welding industry, I hope you can consider me I am truly grateful for anything, but I am going to pursue a trade in welding and hopefully one day go back to school for more education in the construction. I truly want to push myself and to show other including my own self how to use my skills and knowledge and experience to make myself stand out I know I have drive and I am willing to prove myself, thank you.

In my 21 years, life has been full of obstacles, setbacks, and incomplete paths—many of which I caused. At 18, I was in a serious accident that hurt both me and a friend. That moment showed me how fragile life is, but even then, I continued to struggle with drinking. March 2024, at 20 years old I was arrested for my first DUI after driving drunk. Instead of learning from it, I kept drinking and was arrested again just three days later—this time with a felony. I spent 120 days in jail, and that experience changed me. Faced with the option of a year in prison or four years probation, I knew I had to change. I chose sobriety. I went to rehab for 65 days, then lived in sober living for 90 days. There, I led AA and NA meetings for 30 to 40 other recovering addicts. That experience gave me a sense of purpose I’d never felt before. Since March 17, 2024, I’ve stayed sober—and I plan to stay that way for the rest of my life. Sobriety has opened my eyes. I now see how many people rely on substances to cope, but I’ve found more happiness and clarity in a sober life. Jail was a wake-up call, but it was also a blessing in disguise. I’m on probation until May 2026, but I’ve paid my dues, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. Outside of recovery, I live a simple, fulfilling life, The reason being why I write this essay now is to become a welder I am attending the South Florida State college welding program in August 2025, I have spoken with the instructor and he advised me I look for scholarships and so I’m doing all I can, I have a 225 stick welder at my house I have used for years and I’m just truly trying to go for it, my uncle has done mobile welding since he was my age and just retired and it truly made me want to pursue and chase a career in the welding industry. I have really ran out of options as far as a career and welding is one career I know well of and I believe it will suit me well for the rest of my life if I can get even better at it. I hope you can consider me I am truly grateful for anything God bless you, Ari M Soles.

I’m from a small town Wauchula Florida, I am 21 years old, Ive worked for my father in the citrus buisness and it has fallen apart and I’m too the point I want to chase a new career instead of farming. Welding has become my passion and hobby, I’ve welded for fun and for projects stick welding pipe bumpers for my friends and dad’s friend trucks so I said I’m going for it, I start welding school in August 2025 and couldn’t be more excited. My uncle got me into the trade doing mobile welding out in the field on tractors and heavy equipment showed me a lot and told me the truth about the trade. I would go on sites where they were installing a water pump line I don’t really want another option but welding I know there is an art to the process and craft to be what type of welder you strive to be. I know it takes commitment to get better at what you do and that is truly what I love is the game and process of mastering a new skill like playing the guitar it takes confidence but faith that you can too weld just as well as anyone else as long as you too apply the same skills as your instructors. I have spoken with many plumbers and they also recommend going home after work and applying the same fundamentals to your life outside of work is just important I know I have struggled with my own demons losing friends and loved ones due to work related incidents. In my 21 years, life has been full of obstacles, setbacks, and incomplete paths—many of which I caused. At 18, I was in a serious accident that hurt both me and a friend. That moment showed me how fragile life is, but even then It took more time for me to learn and understand how to deal and cope with struggles. I truly believe I can find a good job and become a well rounded welder and worker I just need help and the right guidance to push me to the top and I believe that with this school and this scholarship it will most definitely help me with my future education and my life goals and skills I know. I will receive the AWS 6G certification and I am pumped to give it a try please consider me, God bless you. Ari M. Soles