If I could deliver one lesson to the world of people, I would deliver the message through the reading of Looking For Alaska by John Green. Many have read Looking For Alaska, and for good reason. There are infinite lessons to be learned through the picturesque story painted by John Green. Alaska, Pudge, and the Colonel take on Culver Creek Preparatory School together. The Colonel and Alaska are friends from years before but as Pudge finds his way in life, the two of them take him under their wing and show him how to make unforgettable memories. As you grow closer with the characters of Looking For Alaska, it almost feels like you're by their side, pulling elaborate pranks and getting in trouble. But this fun doesn't last forever, a horrific accident leaves the reader, as well as Pudge; with unanswered questions... un-answerable questions. You feel as lost as a kitten up a tree, helpless. This moment of the book connects you with Pudge as you work through this heart wrenching accident together, uncovering little details that lead to big lessons. Looking For Alaska makes you appreciate everything, the little moments, and the big ones, friendships and enemies, happiness and sadness. For without one, the other is impossible. In this day and age, it's hard to take time to appreciate all that is, often I find myself speeding through life without stopping to soak in the moments. When I read Looking For Alaska, it changed my approach to life. It taught me the Importance of being present, not in your head. It taught me the importance of being there for that person who needs someone, and I think if more people realized this, the world would be a better place.

I've always found motors intriguing. When my uncle would take me for rides in his cars I begged him to speed and I laughed and laughed as we flew down the highway. Even after that, I was addicted to that rush; I couldn't keep my hands off of motor vehicles, dirtbikes, cars, and go-karts. It's as simple as that, the feeling of speed envelopes you, and forces you to be present, in the moment. Since then I've bought a car, a Kia Spectra 5, it's blue as well as a manual, you can catch me driving every day of the week. Having a car opens opportunities I've been waiting a long time for, a steady ride to work and, freedom to go and leave when you want. It also brings a lot of responsibility, from car insurance to maintenance a car can cost you. Just recently I had someone rear-end my car and it's been a long process of time and money to get it back to original. Little did I know during this process I would realize something bigger. I've done a lot of research into careers and opportunities, I joined programs through my local Muskegon Career Tech Center and even applied to a few colleges already, but nothing felt right. Recently, I landed on Automotive Technology. I'd been searching so diligently to find a career I would be happy doing every day, something that wouldn't feel like work. I realized I'd been overlooking a true passion of mine the whole time! I find combustion engines fascinating and there is so much to learn about them, so much knowledge waiting to be tapped. Lincoln Tech has an amazing automotive technology program that is ASE certified, recently I was accepted as a student, and I'm thoroughly excited to start my studies. Their program is thirteen months long and offers top-of-the-line training for the automotive industry. I'll be employable and knowledgeable after graduation, and because of their ASE certification, I'll be a valuable new hire. After Graduation from Lincoln, I hope to make innovations in the automotive world. With global problems continuing to worsen, the future needs a sustainable way of transportation. I plan to work with my Significant other who is majoring in environmental engineering, to bring forward a new opportunity for us as people to take action fighting climate change. Whether it's alternative fuel sources, or sustainable fuel sources I plan to find a way to a greener future. With that being said, I ask for your support and generosity in my future endeavors. With your scholarship put towards my tuition, I can focus on my studies with less stress on my back. Thank You!

Attached PDF below, my essay was a few words over and I had trouble submitting it, Thank you so much for your time!

As a child I didn't grow up in your average household. Whether we were camping in our great grandparents backyard or living with my Grandma on Cook St. we always made the best of it, cracking jokes and overlooking the grim aspects of life with a single mother and an absent father. My mom gave my brother and I all she had and more. She'd work overtime and take on multiple jobs just to pay for our extravagant Christmas wishes and try to provide us knowledge more valuable than any tangible gift whenever she could. Our fun days out would often be spent at the library reading, or making amazing art pieces with my grandparents. My mom didn't hide the story of my life from me, she didn't make up lies, she told me the truth and encouraged me to study hard; to learn all you can because knowledge is power. My biological father directly affected me as well as my family. His substance abuse issues compounded with bi-polar disorder left my mom to raise my brother and I alone. My mom was left under a mountain of credit card debt from the cards my father would take out in her name, and max out during periods of joblessness. She was forced to file for bankruptcy shortly after they divorced and ever since then it's been a constant battle to build credit and become stable in the crazy world we live in. Often I try to put myself in her shoes. I imagine the stress that she must have faced, the questions she pondered, searching for the answers to life. My Mom is my hero for this, for persevering even when all odds were against her, for keeping me safe from the world of hurt that is out there, for giving my brother and I an honest outlook on life, an amazing childhood, and so much more. So while the challenges my family and I have faced because of my fathers conditions, have directly impacted my life, it hasn't stopped me from pushing for a brighter future, I've used my challenges to motivate me, whether it was the seven years of classical ballet training, or the endless nights spent studying for tests and finishing homework, I was motivated to be better than my father, and do better than my father. I know I was not meant to give up and I want my mom to be proud of the man I become. The less traveled path will produce a person who values what they become. It gives you the ability to appreciate your success once you get there because the path was not without obstacles. So now I ask for your help to sponsor my next chapter of life with your generosity. The last two years of high school I've drifted away from classical ballet and theater and I've found new interest in automotive technology through the MAISD Career Tech Center programs offered through my high school. I'm ready to take my first big step out of the small town of Montague I call home, and make a trip to Lincoln Tech located in Indianapolis, IN.