I have always enjoyed figuring out how things work. When I was younger, I spent hours building and taking apart LEGO Technic, K'NEX, and Meccano sets. I liked seeing how all the pieces worked together and then trying to put them back together. As I got older, that interest turned into working on real things. I started helping my dad with our vehicles by changing fluids, rotating tires, and doing other basic repairs. He would explain what he was doing and why, which made me want to learn more. Growing up with my dad as a firefighter also gave me the opportunity to see large fire engines and trucks up close. He would take the time to explain how the different systems worked and what made the trucks operate. I also spent time helping with the corn and wheat harvest each fall. Riding around on a John Deere combine with my grandfather is one of the experiences that really made me interested in large diesel equipment. In high school, I enrolled in automotive and welding classes. My automotive and welding instructor became my favorite teacher, and he was also my wrestling coach. He challenged me to learn how things worked instead of just telling me how to fix them. Those classes were where my interest in mechanics really started turning into a career goal. I am now attending Lincoln Tech in Denver in the Diesel Technology program, with plans to graduate in June 2027. Receiving the Autel Awarding Excellence Scholarship would give me a great start toward paying for the $38,800 cost of my program. The scholarship would help with tuition and some of the tools and equipment I will need as I continue my training. Lincoln Tech is only the beginning of my education. Before I graduate, I plan to start looking for opportunities to get into the industry and make connections with employers and local fire departments. My goal is to become an Emergency Vehicle Technician and eventually work for a professional fire department. To get there, I will need additional training and certifications, including ASE Medium/Heavy Truck certifications and EVT I, II, and III training. This will include areas such as maintenance and inspection, fire pumps and accessories, apparatus electrical systems, aerial apparatus, and Allison automatic transmissions. I will also need to continue my education through the NFPA requirements for Emergency Vehicle Technicians. One of the challenges I know I will face is the cost of tools. Diesel technicians are expected to have many of their own tools, and good tools are expensive. My plan is to work while I attend school, save money, and slowly build my tool collection. I want to work hard, have a good attitude, learn from the people around me, and take advantage of every opportunity to make connections. My goal is to become an Emergency Vehicle Technician who helps keep fire trucks and other emergency vehicles safe and ready to respond. I know it will take years of training and hard work to get there, but I am excited about the challenge. I enjoy working with my hands, solving problems, and learning something new every day. This scholarship would help me take the next step toward building the career I have been working toward for years.