My father was my biggest fan. Being his only child I had big shoes to fill. He wanted the best for me and unfortunately he passed away before he could see me graduate. My father pushed me to succeed and be my best. He taught me to never quit and always follow thru. I wasn’t allowed to quit something once I started. I finished cub scouts, football, wrestling and baseball even when there were times I wanted to quit. My father pushed me and encouraged me every step of the way. He got sick when I was in middle school with liver disease. This led to a difficult life in and out of nursing homes and hospitals. Most people in these places were older but my father was in his late 30’s. He suffered for over 6 years until his kidney finally shut down. He passed away the middle of my senior year and it broke my heart I didn’t get the chance to say good bye as the nursing home and hospital were not able to reach me when he was having difficulty breathing. I wanted to quit school as I got very depressed but I could hear my father telling me never to quit, never to give. During the last couple years of his life when my father was well enough to live on his own I would go and spend weekends and my summer taking care of him. During this time we shared a great interest in motorcycles. He owned one growing up and shared the love and excitement thru stories, pictures and seeing his eyes light up when one drove by. Seeing the gleam in his eyes was enough for me to want to share in that love. I have been accepted to UTI in Orlando, Florida. I know this would have made my father proud. I can’t wait to learn to work on newer and older model Harley’s. After graduation I plan to own a motorcycle repair shop. Here I can help dreams come true and be able to help riders get their bikes fixed without breaking the bank. Not only will I own a motorcycle shop but I will own my own Harley. I hope the stories I will share wish my family and friends will hopefully spark an interest and create as bond as it did between my father and I. Until we ride the roads together Dad, I promise you I will never quit or give up.

I grew up working on cars, dirt bikes and four-wheelers. I feel like it’s in my blood. Riding and working on machines is my life. Obtaining a scholarship will help me fuel not only my passion but by helping others come true. Imagine owning a motorcycle but not being able to ride it as repairs are expensive and there is not a place locally to take it. I want to help change that. Going to trade school will allow me to make this possible for so many. My brother and step-father really helped me fuel my passion and let me watch and help them work on cars, four wheelers and dirt bikes. I rebuilt an engine, changed brakes, rotors, completed oil changes and replaced brake pads. haven’t had the opportunity to work on motorcycles but going to school will help teach the skills necessary to help me get my dream job. I want to be the first in my family to attend college and learn more about fueling my passion. I am very interested in working on Harley’s and was recently accepted to the Universal Technical Institute in Orlando, Florida. I attend school in Allegany, NY and take power sports equipment at BOCES. Coming from a low-income family I know achieving my dream is going to be hard. I really hope I can get a few scholarships so I can achieve my dream of working on motorcycles, from the classics to the newer models attending school in Orlando will help me learn and obtain a career in this field. Upon graduation I plan on finding employment in this field and eventually would like to own a repair shop. I feel like having a motorcycle repair shop in my hometown will benefit my community. I will be able to help make dreams come true as well as my own. I feel having this kind of service in my area will help as there are no motorcycle repair shops locally. People have to travel over an hour away to get any repair work done. I will be able to help create jobs and hire a team to help in the shop. Thank you for taking my application into consideration. I know I won’t disappoint you. I am hoping this scholarship will help towards my tuition and help my family so they don’t have to keep suffering financially. I will be away for ten months on my own while attending school and paying for rent, any amount will greatly help.

I grew up working on cars, dirt bikes and four-wheelers. I feel like it’s in my blood. Riding and working on machines is my life. Obtaining a scholarship will help me fuel my passion. My brother and step-father really helped me find my passion and let me watch and help them work on machines. I haven’t had the opportunity to work on motorcycles but going to school will help teach the skills necessary to help me get my dream job. I want to be the first in my family to attend college and learn more about fueling my passion. I am very interested in working on Harley’s and was recently accepted to the Universal Technical Institute in Orlando. I attend school in Allegany, NY and take power sports equipment at BOCES. Coming from a low-income family I know achieving my dream is going to be hard. I really hope I can get a few scholarships so I can achieve my dream of working on motorcycles, from the classics to the newer models attending school in Orlando will help me learn and obtain a career in this field. Thank you for taking my application into consideration. I know I won’t disappoint you. I am hoping this scholarship will help towards my tuition and help my family so they don’t have to keep suffering financially. When I showed my mother this scholarship I was applying for she said she remembers Michael well from school, so it must be a sign to apply.