Hi, I'm Ashe, and I am coming back around to my formal education after a series of classes and jobs that brought me to something I love doing. I want to be a professional welder. I want to build the things that we need and use in life. On the way to tour Lincoln Tech for the first time, we passed a construction site on Route 23 in West Milford, New Jersey, where a metal replacement bridge frame was being assembled in place by workers, including welders. This was both exciting, and a sign for me that I was on the right track. The coolest thing in the world is building the actual structures that my community needs and uses on an everyday basis. Metal fabrication gives me the opportunity to produce structurally rugged items that everyone needs every day in their lives, and that stand the test of time and utility. I'm also working on finding the financial support to get there without a lot of debt against my future. High school was not a productive environment for me. I wanted my education to be useful, but I felt lost in a traditional education, especially because, by that point, all semblances of hands-on education had been removed from the curriculum. My parents saw this and took me out of high school early; they asked that I get my GED immediately. I nailed the test within 2 weeks of leaving school. Life is where my real education started. I learned blacksmithing as a teen and really enjoyed this art. I learned a ton from my father and great-grandfather, who are/were amateur but accomplished fabricators. I took classes in computer-aided drawing, which I loved and did well in. These skills will help towards the metal fabrication of today and the future, where computers are integral in design. I have worked in the restaurant industry, in the operating room at a local hospital, assembling parts in a factory, in retail environments. I have a wealth of knowledge in several fields as an entry-level employee. Still, I'm happiest when Im making, constructing, building things. When I joined a community college welding class this year, I finally found my trade. I want to be part of that. I want the skills that glue society together and keep us moving. Back to what I said in that first paragraph! I need to find a way to get to a career in welding without having a lot of debt against my future. I have been working, saving my pennies, and I have had to take on some modest loans towards this goal. The car, insurance, phone, & the daily bills still need to be covered. I am living at home with family, cooking for myself, and shopping only for what I absolutely need. I am fortunate to have a very supportive family, but I have insisted that I pay my way at this time, to succeed for myself. The award from this scholarship would allow me to focus more on my training work now, and less on the monthly payments and life expenses needed to get through the next several months. Thank you!

Hi, my name is Ashe, and I am coming back around to my formal education after a series of classes and jobs that showed me who I really am, and who I am not. I am beginning Lincoln Tech next week to learn welding. I visited the school for the first time last month, and en route I passed a construction site where a metal replacement bridge frame was being assembled in place by workers, including welders. I think that is just the coolest thing in the world, to be able to build the actual structures that are so vital to the community on an everyday basis. I want to be part of that. I want the skills that glue society together, that keep us moving and safe. I love to create, to repair, to build. I learned blacksmithing as a teen and really enjoy fabrication. Metals give me the opportunity for producing structurally rugged items that stand the test of time and utility for myself & my community. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are/were amateur welders and vintage car mechanics, and I participated in builds as a child, even if it was only as the water boy for the adults. Their ability to learn, do, build, fix, restore things was a huge inspiration to me. High school was not a productive environment for me. I wanted my efforts and education to be useful, but I felt lost in a traditional education, especially in a modern world where all semblances of hands-on education had been removed from the curriculum. My family could see me floundering, and took me out of high school early, with the prerequisite that I get my GED immediately. I nailed the test within 2 weeks of leaving school. This is when my real education started. I took college classes in computer-aided drawing, which I loved and did well in. I had a knack for CAD, but I was still put off by the idea of returning to formal education for a degree. Being only 16, I could not work full-time. I worked in the restaurant industry, in the operating room at a local hospital, assembling parts in a factory, in retail environments. I have amassed a wealth of knowledge in several fields as an entry-level employee, Still, I'm happiest when Im making, constructing, building things. I've held on to my interest in metal fabrication and design, and it is time to get formal training to build my career. My parents have supported my welding interests from day one and are rooting for me. I am really excited to spend most of the day learning hands-on from instructors, to get consistent practice to build my skills in order to be of service to myself and my community.

Hi, my name is Ashe, and I am coming back around to my formal education after a series of classes and jobs that showed me who I really am. I am beginning Lincoln Tech next week to learn welding. I visited the school for the first time last month, and en route I passed a construction site where a metal replacement bridge frame was being assembled in place by workers, including welders. I think that is just the coolest thing in the world, to be able to build the actual structures that are so vital to the community on an everyday basis. I want to be part of that. I want the skills that glue society together, that keep us moving and safe. I love to create, to repair, to build. I learned blacksmithing as a teen and really enjoy fabrication. Metals give me the opportunity for producing structurally rugged items that stand the test of time and utility for myself & my community. I took a continuing education welding class at night in high school and really enjoyed it but felt like I did not get the guidance that I wanted amongst the adults in the room. High school was not a productive environment for me. I wanted my efforts and education to be useful, but I felt lost in a traditional education, especially in a modern world where all semblances of hands-on education had been removed from the curriculum. My family could see me floundering, and took me out of high school early, with the prerequisite that I get my GED immediately. I nailed the test within 2 weeks of leaving school. This is when my real education started. I took college classes in computer-aided drawing, which I loved and did well in. I had a knack for CAD, but I was still put off by the idea of returning to formal education for a degree. Being only 16, I could not work full-time. I worked in the restaurant industry, in the operating room at a local hospital, assembling parts in a factory, in retail environments. I have amassed a wealth of knowledge in several fields as an entry-level employee, Still, I'm happiest when I'm making, constructing, building things. I am really excited to spend most of the day learning hands-on from instructors, to get consistent practice to build my skills in order to be of service to myself and my community. I am passionate about sharing knowledge to help others to help themselves and would like to train future tradesmen and women. I'd really love to donate time and effort to Habitat for Humanity to help and teach others, or to any groups that support self-sufficiency and hard work. Thank you!

1. I visited Lincoln Tech in Mahwah NJ for the first time last month, and en route I passed a construction site where a metal replacement bridge frame was being assembled in place by workers, including welders. I think that is just the coolest thing in the world, to be able to build the actual structures that are so vital to the community on an everyday basis. I want to be part of that. I want the skills that glue society together, that keep us moving and safe. I love to create, to repair, to build. I learned blacksmithing as a teen and really enjoy fabrication. Metals give me the opportunity for producing structurally rugged items that stand the test of time and utility for myself & my community. 2. I absolutely would love to teach my skills to future makers and doers of society. In addition to this, when I am on my feet, I would also love to start a scholarship foundation someday for another student to mitigate the current and growing costs of education, and to pay back those who have helped me along the way.

Hi, my name is Ashe, and I am coming back around to my formal education after a series of classes and jobs that showed me who I really am, and who I am not. I am beginning Lincoln Tech next week to learn welding. I visited the school for the first time last month, and en route I passed a construction site where a metal replacement bridge frame was being assembled in place by workers, including welders. I think that is just the coolest thing in the world, to be able to build the actual structures that are so vital to the community on an everyday basis. I want to be part of that. I want the skills that glue society together, that keep us moving and safe. I love to create, to repair, to build. I learned blacksmithing as a teen and really enjoy fabrication. Metals give me the opportunity for producing structurally rugged items that stand the test of time and utility for myself & my community. I took a continuing education welding class at night in high school and really enjoyed it but felt like I did not get the guidance that I wanted amongst the adults in the room. High school was not a productive environment for me. I wanted my efforts and education to be useful, but I felt lost in a traditional education, especially in a modern world where all semblances of hands-on education had been removed from the curriculum. My family could see me floundering, and took me out of high school early, with the prerequisite that I get my GED immediately. I nailed the test within 2 weeks of leaving school. This is when my real education started. I took college classes in computer-aided drawing, which I loved and did well in. I had a knack for CAD, but I was still put off by the idea of returning to formal education for a degree. Being only 16, I could not work full-time. I worked in the restaurant industry, in the operating room at a local hospital, assembling parts in a factory, in retail environments. I have amassed a wealth of knowledge in several fields as an entry-level employee, Still, I'm happiest when Im making, constructing, building things. I've held on to my interest in metal fabrication and design all along. It is time to get formal training to build my career. My parents have supported my welding interests from day one and are rooting for me. I am really excited to spend most of the day learning hands-on from instructors, to get consistent practice to build my skills in order to be of service to myself and my community.

Hi, my name is Ashe, and I am coming back around to my formal education after a series of classes and jobs that showed me who I really am, and who I am not. I am beginning Lincoln Tech next week to learn welding. I visited the school for the first time last month, and en route I passed a construction site where a metal replacement bridge frame was being assembled in place by workers, including welders. I think that is just the coolest thing in the world, to be able to build the actual structures that are so vital to the community on an everyday basis. I want to be part of that. I want the skills that glue society together, that keep us moving and safe. I love to create, to repair, to build. I learned blacksmithing as a teen and really enjoy fabrication. Metals give me the opportunity for producing structurally rugged items that stand the test of time and utility for myself & my community. I took a continuing education welding class at night in high school and really enjoyed it but felt like I did not get the guidance that I wanted amongst the adults in the room. High school was not a productive environment for me. I wanted my efforts and education to be useful, but I felt lost in a traditional education, especially in a modern world where all semblances of hands-on education had been removed from the curriculum. My family could see me floundering, and took me out of high school early, with the prerequisite that I get my GED immediately. I nailed the test within 2 weeks of leaving school. This is when my real education started. I took college classes in computer-aided drawing, which I loved and did well in. I had a knack for CAD, but I was still put off by the idea of returning to formal education for a degree. Being only 16, I could not work full-time. I worked in the restaurant industry, in the operating room at a local hospital, assembling parts in a factory, in retail environments. I have amassed a wealth of knowledge in several fields as an entry-level employee, Still, I'm happiest when Im making, constructing, building things. I've held on to my interest in metal fabrication and design all along. It is time to get formal training to build my career. My parents have supported my welding interests from day one and are rooting for me. I am really excited to spend most of the day learning hands-on from instructors, to get consistent practice to build my skills in order to be of service to myself and my community.