Hello my name is Elijah Begay i graduated from Miyamura high school i am going to Western Welding Academy in September. I grew up with a single parent always having trouble with money and also trying to help provide for my family by helping my family out on the reservation. I help my moms side of the family by taking care of their cattle and fixing fences. This is how my life is living with little to no income just me and my mom trying to make ends meet but i want to change that and become some one who can be relied on someone who is successful and is proud to be where i want to be at. I first started welding when i started to fix my own fence by welding the fences together and this taught me many things teaching my how to work for what i want and i have to earn and work hard for things that i want and nothing is free in this life i have to learn to get it on my own. When i fixed my first fence my family was proud of me i was finally someone who they can count on the man of the house someone who can be the foundation of the family and i found that our from a very young age. And, its hard trying to balance a work life at home with school and sports. I used to run in high school i did track and cross country and this also taught me many things for example to focus on what i want to achieve and it will happen and i still live by that saying it keeps my mind right it keeps me balance and humble it taught me how to live life the right way. That's how welding is for me to keep going in life i have to stay focused keep myself in check stay humble because if you get to cocky you mess up and that's what welding means to me its my life it will always be in my life no matter what teaching me many things making me better each and everyday. This scholarship can help me achieve my goals in life by getting into my dream school and living the life i want by getting a job that can provide for me and my family so we don't have to live struggling to get by in life and working so hard for so little outcomes. Western Welding Academy can help me change my life around and this scholarship can help me get one step into life on the right track and not on the wrong foot something me and my family have worked so hard for this is what we all want especially me i want to live life comfortable not stressing no worries i just want to live life to its fullest having fun and being who i am meant to be. This scholarship can change me and my family's life around and my own family in the future allowing me to give my kids in the future the life they want without having the struggle to worry about me and the parents. Thank you for reading my essay and my life and how i had to live working for what i want and trying to earn what i worked for. Hopefully this essay makes you consider giving me a chance in life and giving me a opportunity to change my life around and make something out of it thank you.