"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." Henry Ford. Even though I am dyslexic, I’m thankful for being able to take college classes while in highschool, participating in extracurricular activities of playing basketball, and my goal to learn aviation mechanics at Reedley College. Airplanes have always intrigued me. My passion is to learn about anything that generates fluid or air dynamics concepts. In second grade I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I thought it was a disease but my mom told me it was a gift. I built a catapult when I was 5 not ever seeing one. I remember my mom explaining dyslexia as a gift that I could see in 3 dimensional. I was enrolled in a charter homeschool where I could learn at my own pace and in my own style. Fast forward a few years of working hard in school, I was able to take engine and welding classes at our local junior college while finishing up my senior high school year. I couldn’t wait to go to class and learn more about welding and engines. After class, I would stay longer and ask the professor about mechanical technology. I hope to further my career in mechanics and welding by working in the field of aviation and earning a certificate as an aviation mechanical technician. My high school extracurricular activities include playing boys varsity basketball. My mom always said to do your best and being that I'm 6 ft 6in I knew I could help my basketball team win not only games but also help lift others' self-esteem. My team and I were able to win a league championship that hasn't been one in 16 years. Watching the coaches help the players encouraged me that life is hard but you have to keep running the race as best you can. Last summer, I flew to the Dominican Republic. Not only did I love flying but the people there taught me so much about living life to the fullest and not taking for granted what we have been blessed with. For the last 4 years I've been able to work after school and on Saturdays at a small engine shop where they repair lawn mowers, chainsaws, weed wackers and golf carts . Since I'm the youngest employee my boss wants me to learn anything I can about electric powered small engines. There's a lot to learn but I'm excited to learn. My academic goals for college would be to attend Reedley College and earn a Aerospace maintenance technology certificate within 2 years. This past year I have taken 13 units at our local junior college while in high school learning how to weld, small engines, diesel engines, and farm power. Airplanes are my passion and I’m truly excited about this new challenge! Henry Ford was a man that truly inspires me to keep working hard even when times get rough. I’m grateful to be able to take college classes while in highschool, helping others play basketball and lift people's self-esteem and having a goal of how to become an aviation mechanic. Having a scholarship would help me financially and achieve my goal of becoming an aviation mechanic showing dyslexic adults and children that we can set our minds on a goal, work hard and become a success!

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." Henry Ford. I’m thankful for being able to take college classes while in highschool, participating in extracurricular activities of playing basketball, and my goal to learn aviation mechanics at Reedley College. Airplanes have always intrigued me. My passion is to learn about anything that generates fluid or air dynamics concepts. In second grade I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I thought it was a disease but my mom told me it was a gift. I built a catapult when I was 5 not ever seeing one. My mom knew dyslexia was a gift. She allowed me to learn at my own pace and in my own style of learning. Fast forward a few years and I was able to take engine and welding classes at our local junior college while finishing up my senior high school year. I couldn’t wait to go to class and learn more about welding and engines. After class I would stay longer and ask the professor about mechanical technology. I hope to further my career in mechanics and welding by working in the field of aviation and earning a certificate as an aviation mechanical technician. My high school extracurricular activities include playing boys varsity basketball. My mom always said to do your best and being that I'm 6 ft 6in I knew I could help my basketball team win not only games but also help lift others' self-esteem. My team and I were able to win a league championship that hasn't been one in 16 years. Watching the coaches help the players encouraged me that life is hard but you have to keep running the race as best you can. Last Summer I flew to the Dominican Republic. Not only did I love flying but the people there taught me so much about living life to the fullest and not taking for granted what we have been blessed with. For the last 4 years I've been able to work after school and on Saturdays at a small engine shop where they repair lawn mowers, chainsaws, weed wackers and golf carts . Since I'm the youngest employee my boss wants me to learn anything I can about electric powered small engines. There's a lot to learn but I'm excited to learn. My academic goals for college would be to attend Reedley College and earn a Aerospace maintenance technology certificate within 2 years. This past year I have taken 13 units at our local junior college while in high school learning how to weld, small engines, diesel engines, farm power. Airplanes are my passion and I’m truly excited about this new challenge! Henry Ford was a man that truly inspires me to keep working hard even when times get rough. I’m grateful to be able to take college classes while in highschool, helping others play basketball and lift people's self-esteem and having a goal of how to become an aviation mechanic. Having a scholarship would help me financially and achieve my goal of becoming an aviation mechanic showing dyslexic adults and children we can set our minds on a goal, work hard and become a success!

Engines are my passion. I started taking apart non-working engines when I was 11 years old. Taking the engines apart made my dyslexic mind fire up. I could see the pieces and how they work and my mind expanded into making machines for myself and showing others how I can be successful. Finding a broken electric scooter started my invention. I attached a chainsaw engine, also found in the garbage, to the scooter. After many hours of fabrication the scooter runs and is more fuel efficient than my 2002 Lincoln Town Car. Helping people is another passion of mine. Fixing lawn mowers and weed-wackers, only charging for new parts. Last year I had an opportunity to go and serve in the Dominican Republic. We made concrete water filters for the local people. My heart was happy being able to serve others in such a small yet impactful way. Working with airplanes is a dream. Not only the engine and how it flies but the people who depend on them. I want to be a good contributing citizen and help others by fixing their equipment. My mom says you are so tall, you were made to work on airplanes. Not only am I dyslexic but also very tall. Being six foot seven inches has made me confident. Strangers come up to me boldly asking, “How tall are you?” Being asked this question gives me an opportunity to not only tell them my height but opens a door to start a conversation. Then I get to ask them questions and learn about them. The next question I get asked is, “Do you play basketball?” I'm thankful to answer, yes. Even though I was homeschooled there was a local private school that allowed homeschoolers to play sports. I’ll never forget those experiences of being on the basketball team where my height was used to help my team and persistent coach win our League Championship this year. Beginning the game with a jump ball that I could pass to our point guard made the game exciting! Catching rebounds and dishing them off to another guard on the 3 point line and hearing the crowd cheer as they made their shot, gave me energy to work hard. Being homeschooled not only let me learn at my own pace but to pursue learning about what I am passionate about. During the day I could get my homework done and run out to the garage to work on my latest project. Hours and hours of taking things apart, discovering how they work, cleaning the parts and remembering, because I’m dyslexic, of how to put it back together. When you are tall you are looked at. Walking into a store people stare. Stares used to bother me until I realized I cannot change the way I look so I better embrace it and become confident, not only in my actions but also in my mind. I enjoy being tall. Being tall builds confidence. Strangers feel comfortable asking me questions, helping my basketball team, adding people to an exit or assisting someone by reaching for an item off a tall shelf. I enjoy being tall and I may grow more. It’s the way I was made and I can't change it so I may as well embrace it and use it for good.

Working with airplanes is a dream. Not only the engine and how it flies but the people who depend on them. I want to be a good contributing citizen and help others by fixing their equipment. My mom says you are so tall, you were made to work on airplanes. Engines are my passion. I started taking apart non-working engines when I was 11 years old. Taking the engines apart made my dyslexic mind fire up. I could see the pieces and how they work and my mind expanded into making machines for myself and showing others how I can be successful. Finding a broken electric scooter started my invention. I attached a chainsaw engine, also found in the garbage, to the scooter. After many hours of fabrication the scooter runs and is more fuel efficient than my 2002 Lincoln Town Car. Helping people is another passion of mine. Fixing lawn mowers and weed-wackers, only charging for new parts. Last year I had an opportunity to go and serve in the Dominican Republic. We made concrete water filters for the local people. My heart was happy being able to serve others in such a small yet impactful way. Not only am I dyslexic but also very tall. Being six foot seven inches has made me confident. Strangers come up to me boldly asking, “How tall are you?” Being asked this question gives me an opportunity to not only tell them my height but opens a door to start a conversation. Then I get to ask them questions and learn about them. Being homeschooled not only let me learn at my own pace but to pursue learning about what I am passionate about. During the day I could get my homework done and run out to the garage to work on my latest project. Hours and hours of taking things apart, discovering how they work, cleaning the parts and remembering, because I’m dyslexic, of how to put it back together. When you are tall you are looked at. Walking into a store people stare. Stares used to bother me until I realized I cannot change the way I look so I better embrace it and become confident, not only in my actions but also in my mind. I enjoy being tall. Being tall means I can find people in a crowd and reach for things people need. In a crowd, I can find my parents quickly and they can find me. I’m thankful I can reduce my moms anxiety when I can see the way to the exit when we are in a crowded area. While shopping I’ll get asked occasionally if I can get an item higher than the person can reach. This was helpful when there are no employees around to help the person. Being tall builds confidence. Strangers feel comfortable asking me questions, adding people to an exit or assisting someone by reaching for an item off a tall shelf. I enjoy being tall and I may grow more. It’s the way I was made and I can't change it so I may as well embrace it and use it for good.