I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. It takes multiple certificates and hours in training to prepare someone for such a dangerous exploit which is why I'm pursuing a college education. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I'm currently in commercial diving school and am already facing many challenges about being different. It's hard being a woman surrounded by men that lack a filter and tease about every little imperfection. No one should be teased about being different in any kind of way whether you're special or just an outlier in the group. That's why standing up for those that stand out is the right thing to do because someday they might be that important puzzle piece in the working society. Knowing from personal experience on how some of these poor children feel is an awful struggle to deal with. Brain development at a young age is crucial for mental growth. That's why we need to raise children to find inner strength within themselves and help those find their way. I will continue to stand up for myself and those that can't throughout my future career.

I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. It takes multiple certificates and hours in training to prepare someone for such a dangerous exploit which is why I'm pursuing a college education. Welding is a beautiful thing that can turn your everyday pile of scrap into art and is also full of science and mathematics. Just like art though not everyone has the ability to do it or the understanding that follows behind the intricacies. Welding is a true form of craftsmanship that takes years of hard work and dedication to master. Ive spent only three years of my life committed to learn more about welding and have only scratched the surface. With the help of a few scholarships, hopefully I can continue to improve my skills as a blue-collard woman.

I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. It takes multiple certificates and hours in training to prepare someone for such an exploit which is why I'm pursuing a college education. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t do. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steel worker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. I grew up on a farm and I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and dependability that pushes me through every day.

There’s an old saying “ What you put into the world you get back”. A lot of people aren’t giving, few are, and even fewer give more than what is asked. The world needs people that do the little things in life that add up to a whole lot. As far as I’m concerned, that could be as little as picking up someone else’s trash they carelessly left behind. It could even be asking someone random how they’re doing, giving them a smile, paying for their food, or even their gas. These little acts of kindness change people. Just like hate and anger can be spread like wildfire, love and kindness can too. I’m striving to be the best person I can be and going out of my way to pick up some trash, hold the door for someone, and always make sure to say please and thank you to those that are working. As I accumulate these positive habits over the years heading towards my future career I will try to do everything in my power to help my community. As an underwater welder I can’t directly help my community but I can indirectly help by welding on ships that carry cargo to and from trading regions or welding on pipelines that carry important substances. Whatever it may be, I will be one of the unknown and unthanked forces that play a part of the domino effect in the supply and demand game.

I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. Today I am acknowledging the boundless technology in welding that allows us to weld underwater. It takes multiple certificates and hours in training to prepare someone for such a dangerous exploit which is why I'm pursuing a college education. Welding is a beautiful thing that can turn your everyday pile of scrap into art and is also full of science and mathematics. Just like art though not everyone has the ability to do it or the understanding that follows behind the intricacies. Have you ever seen TIG pipe welding? Well go on and look it up on images. See all the beautiful colors that the heat-affected zone creates and how all the little, fishtail ripples in the weld look faultless, well all of that was done by some of the most skilled hands in the world. This is a perfect example of how welding is a true form of art that takes years of hard work and dedication to master. Some of these blue-collared craftsmen TIG weld on your next rocket ships that get sent off by NASA into the unknown frontier of space. This is art in my eyes and every person who is associated with art knows that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I behold to you the beauty of welding in art.

Our world revolves around countless calculations and endless numbers. Math is the reason our buildings can stand without failure or the reason why we can send rocket ships to the moon and back. I love to learn math because then no obstacle can stop me from understanding its numeric value or algebraic equation. I will always know the definite answer to a question thanks to math.

I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. Today I am acknowledging the boundless technology in welding that allows us to weld underwater. All our lives, we have always been told not to mix electricity and water. I find it ironic and amazing that underwater welding does exactly this by transferring a large amount of electricity through an insulated wire to create an arc used to melt metals together at a temperature ranging from 6,500-10,000 degrees. A neutral flame is 5,850 degrees. As for how the diver doesn't get electrocuted, the key is in the thick layer of gaseous bubbles that the flux coating of the electrode creates to cover the weld and shield the electricity from water, corrosive gasses, and other oxidizing compounds. This alone can make the world a better place because it no longer limits us to repairing metal fixtures on land but allows us to do it submerged as well.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. I prayed as a child and as a young adult now whenever it gets hard and when I need an answer, a new path to walk on, or when the demons need to go away. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My quote was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that was fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to read and a broken household. I loved that man for who he was and the loving heart he had that was buried deep below the surface he showed. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this last year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 19 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is Divers Institute of Technology and the other is Commercial Divers Technologies Institute. Here I will get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. I'm trying to find all the right answers while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose.

I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. It takes multiple certificates and hours in training to prepare someone for such a dangerous exploit which is why I'm pursuing a college education. Looking at the world itself inspires me to be a better person because we all need to be the change we want to see in our lives. It saddens me that we have to deal with mass amounts of murder, rape, abortion, discrimination towards any race, pollution, and a multitude of other disgraceful events. I would like to create a self-sustaining technology so that our Nation doesn't have to rely on other sources for product. This will reduce the amount of unnecessary trading which in return will reduce oil spills, ocean pollution, and loss of money that could be put towards our Nation's debt. This will impact our one and only planet positively by taking care of it and putting away our greedy, selfish ways. So be the change you want to see in the world around you.

I am a bold, young woman in pursuit of a very unlikely career that goes by the label, underwater welding. Almost 90% of my chosen career is dominated by men and I believe that in today's society going for anything that doesn't involve law, politics, or medicine is saying something. Having the opportunity to dive down over 1,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to weld on a piece of metal can't be found on some paradise vacation pamphlet. It takes multiple certificates and hours in training to prepare someone for such a dangerous exploit which is why I'm pursuing a college education. Welding is a beautiful thing that can turn your everyday pile of scrap into art and is also full of science and mathematics. Just like art though not everyone has the ability to do it or the understanding that follows behind the intricacies. That's why I chose welding as my favorite example of the perfect mixture between art and STEM. Have you ever seen TIG pipe welding? Well go on and look it up on images. See all the beautiful colors that the heat-affected zone creates and how all the little, fishtail ripples in the weld look faultless, well all of that was done by some of the most skilled hands in the world. This is a perfect example of how welding is a true form of art that takes years of hard work and dedication to master. Some of these blue-collared craftsmen TIG weld on your next rocket ships that get sent off by NASA into the unknown frontier of space. It doesn't take a genius to know there is an uncanny amount of STEM involved with NASA. That's why if you still don't believe that welding is one of the most optimal examples of a perfect match between art and STEM then you're as lost as the next soul.

My future consists of becoming an underwater welder some day. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t do. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steel worker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. I grew up on a farm and I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and dependability. Over time, along with these skills I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done and right too. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. Thank you.

My future consists of becoming an underwater welder some day. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t do. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steel worker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. I grew up on a farm and I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and dependability. Over time, along with these skills I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done and right too. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. Thank you.

My favorite artist would be the rap artist Eminem. He is the kind of person that takes the path less traveled and doesn't care what anyone else thinks of him. He walks around and puts his middle finger up to the world. I admire him because he tells the ugly truth that no one wants to hear.

I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA and countless hours of community services. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. This can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. I will take my skills as a welder and help build my community up as an FFA leader.

I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA and countless hours of community services. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. This can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. I will take my skills as a welder and help build my community up as an FFA leader.

My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. For the past five years, not including my junior year that I didn’t get to play due to covid, I have been in track and field. And if there isn't one thing I know, it's that you should always push yourself. No matter how much farther you have to go or if the coach didn't specify if you could walk or not. Always keep pushing yourself for greater lengths. My coach has always given me special workouts because he sees potential in me for greatness, to beat the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash records. I never have been really able to get there though. But I know to have faith in the coach's brutal workouts and in myself. That when I feel like quitting, I tell myself no, keep going, don't stop, you will make it. And again, I tell myself before the starting gun goes off, run for God, run with God, and you will win no matter what, even though it may not feel like it. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals.

There’s an old saying “ What you put into the world you get back”. A lot of people aren’t giving, few are, and even fewer give more than what is asked. The world needs people that do the little things in life that adds up to a whole lot. As far as I’m concerned, that could be as little as picking up someone else’s trash they carelessly left behind. It could even be asking someone random how they’re doing, giving them a smile, paying for their food, or even their gas. These little acts of kindness changes people. Just like hate and anger can be spread like wild fire, love and kindness can too. I’m striving to be the best person I can be and going out of my way to pick up a love of trash, holding the door for someone, and always making sure to say please and thank you to those that are working. As I accumulate these positive habits over the years heading towards my future career I will try to do everything in my power to help my community. As an underwater welder I can’t directly help my community but I can indirectly help my community by welding on ships that carry cargo to and from trading regions or welding on pipelines that carry important substances. Whatever it may be, I will be one of the unknown and unthanked forces that play apart of the domino effect in the supply and demand game.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, that part in the movie Seabiscuit where Red Pollard got dragged by that rampant racehorse and hit the feed bin fracturing his left leg, yeah that almost happened to me except with my neck. Or the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other made it hard. I prayed whenever it got hard when I needed an answer, a new path to walk on, or when the demons needed to go away as a child and as a young adult now. I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe and allow the immaculate air to fill my lungs and blow out the voiceless words and God reading them like a book. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He had the biggest, roughest hands though, the kind of hands where if you looked close enough you could see that they were filled with regret piled deeply on top of love. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate’s welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. He could either leave for the Marines and I go to Anchorage or he doesn’t go into the Marines and has an instant job and live with me in Ina. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose. Thank you for your consideration.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, that part in the movie Seabiscuit where Red Pollard got dragged by that rampant racehorse and hit the feed bin fracturing his left leg, yeah that almost happened to me except with my neck. Or the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other made it hard. I prayed whenever it got hard when I needed an answer, a new path to walk on, or when the demons needed to go away as a child and as a young adult now. I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe and allow the immaculate air to fill my lungs and blow out the voiceless words and God reading them like a book. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He had the biggest, roughest hands though, the kind of hands where if you looked close enough you could see that they were filled with regret piled deeply on top of love. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate’s welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. He could either leave for the Marines and I go to Anchorage or he doesn’t go into the Marines and has an instant job and live with me in Ina. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised in and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more.

I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised in and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. I think we can all agree that we need more noble leadership in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more.

I plan to obtain training in welding, diving, and commercial diving to get a welding certificate, SCUBA certificate, and commercial diving certificate. This all will get me an associate's degree in welding. From there on I will continue to weld for a living till retirement and then open up my own greenhouse business featuring desert and tropical plants. These simplified steps are my future career goals. Continuing my college education will further my knowledge and strengthen my welding skills so I can thrive in my workforce and life. I am not able to become what I want to be without being certified. For example, I cannot legally SCUBA dive without being certified to do so. I need to learn how to handle the tanks, get the right pressure, air to carbon ratios, be prepared for any situation, and know my surrounding environment and its inhabitants. Doing so will come at a cost, a cost that I myself can’t afford. Me and my parents can only work so many hours out of the day and give so much towards my funding. I wasn’t born into a wealthy family like some, I don’t have wealthy grandparents or uncles. This is why I should be considered for this scholarship. I do not have the financial surplus that can fully pay off both years of my college tuition and then some. I will use this field of study to not only expand my knowledge on welding but also my FFA advisor's knowledge on welding that he can then pass on to new agriculture students that go through one of his welding classes or lessons. I can also teach any interested students that desire to learn more in depth about welding and show them how to do a few things that my advisor may not be capable of. In addition to that I can show them what it is like to weld in a high tech helmet and allow them to see what it's like to operate an auto darkening helmet. It only took one person to spark my love for welding and I can do the same for someone else by showing and teaching them as well. This will secure the AWS (American Welding Society) fate with future welders.

I plan to obtain training in welding, diving, and commercial diving to get a welding certificate, SCUBA certificate, and commercial diving certificate. This all will get me an associate's degree in welding. From there on I will continue to weld for a living till retirement and then open up my own greenhouse business featuring desert and tropical plants. These simplified steps are my future career goals. Continuing my college education will further my knowledge and strengthen my welding skills so I can thrive in my workforce and life. I am not able to become what I want to be without being certified. For example, I cannot legally SCUBA dive without being certified to do so. I need to learn how to handle the tanks, get the right pressure, air to carbon ratios, be prepared for any situation, and know my surrounding environment and its inhabitants. Doing so will come at a cost, a cost that I myself can’t afford. Me and my parents can only work so many hours out of the day and give so much towards my funding. I wasn’t born into a wealthy family like some, I don’t have wealthy grandparents or uncles. This is why I should be considered for this scholarship. I do not have the financial surplus that can fully pay off both years of my college tuition and then some. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else's. Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. I hope that you appreciate my dedication to my work and goals in life. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much-needed scholarship.

You hear that? The temperature isn't right, let me turn it up... there's that sweet sizzling sound that I'm looking for. It's an art in itself to get the machines setting just right and when you do your entire helmet is filled with a buzz noise that leaves you lost in the zone. Being an artists is a way for me to escape the world around me and express myself through the gifts God gave me in creativity, a steady hand, and a love for art. Like many artists in this life I strive for something different and I achieve it almost every day by welding. Welding is an art few people do and fewer consider an art. I strive to take the path less traveled and being a women in the welding field I have dumbfounded many people. Doing so has driven me even more to welding and create an unusual art that I truly love to do. Although it challenges me everyday. I have to learn, repeat, and retain knowledge. It's not just dragging a wire across a piece of metal, I have to compensate, be aware of my surroundings, plan ahead, watch my puddle, watch where I'm going, and along with many other things. Battling all of these things at once makes me a better welder. After all, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. One day I'll become an underwater water. This is a dangerous job that takes all kinds of skills and a creative mind. I have to be good enough as an artist and a welder to go under the surface of the ocean and do what some still perceive to be impossible. I am the next generation of the welders.

I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA and countless hours of community services. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. This can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. I will take my skills as a welder and help build my community up as an FFA leader.

The woman that I am admiring tonight would be my Aunt Billie. My aunt has always been the mother that I never have had and always wanted. I did not have a strong motherly role in my life to help guide me so I grew up as my dads shadow. Every time when I visited my aunt she always showed me kindness and love. Her daughter, my favorite cousin, and I became best friends but more like sisters. Aunt billie has done so much for me and every second that I can, I try and return the favor for her and my uncle. I love all three of them with all my heart and I don’t know where I would be without them. She and my cousin have guided me as a person and spiritually in ways that I have ever hoped for and continue to do so. I strive to be as smart as my aunt. She always strives for perfection and first place. She’s is very competitive and a forgiving person. My aunt is a nurse practitioner so you can imagine all the ER stories that she has piling up along with thousands of hours of studying to get where she is now in her mind. I take note every time I'm with her. Love you Aunt Billie. Thank you for the opportunity to apply to this scholarship. I try very hard every day to get things done to the best of my ability.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised in and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more.

I hope one to day to write about the truth and stand up for what is right. I want to be the person to stand in front of a loaded gun and call it's bluff with my voice. I want to use my words and my actions to bring light to the darkness. I want my scripture to demolish the plans and lies of the wicked. We live in a world full of darkness and I hope to guide the lost souls that are searching for a way out. I hope to make sense to those who have ignorance as a friend with information that can't be wronged in the influential sea online. Thank you for a chance at this scholarship.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised in and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else's. Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. I hope that you appreciate my dedication to my work and goals in life. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much-needed scholarship.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised in and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else's. Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. I hope that you appreciate my dedication to my work and goals in life. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much-needed scholarship.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I'm the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. I love my home that gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad whom I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. For the past five years, not including my junior year that I didn’t get to play due to covid, I have been in track and field. And if there isn't one thing I know, it's that you should always push yourself. My coach has always given me special workouts because he sees potential in me for greatness. I know to have faith in my coach's brutal workouts and in myself. That when I feel like quitting, I tell myself no, keep going, don't stop, you will make it. Throwing events on the other hand are a different story from sprints. It's a whole new level of physical strain than running. I was born on a farm and I live for farm life and it taught me many hard lessons that include working like the sun will never go down. I worked on throwing and if I didn't get it right I would continue to throw for hours more if my coach allowed it. He was the one who always had to stop me and tell me to go home. I suffered a lot of pain too but it didn't matter because if I didn’t make that first pace position then every ounce of work that I did was in vain. I was very wrong and I still need to get that through my head. No matter what though, I have persevered and moved forward as fast as time would allow me. The way that I worked there really was no team that I was a part of. Recently I have been put on a relay team instead of the open sprints. It’s been difficult because my constant training of solitude has been challenged by actual teamwork. The coaches always had to stay on their toes with me because if my receiver for the baton wasn't ready, she was going to be run over. This has made me not just put all the faith in myself but other people as well, this is one of the hardest things for me to do. Every track season is another set of trials that it taught me many lessons that I need to appreciate more and apply that to my future.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other made it hard. I prayed whenever it got hard when I needed an answer, a new path to walk on, or when the demons needed to go away as a child and as a young adult now. I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He had the biggest, roughest hands though, the kind of hands where if you looked close enough you could see that they were filled with regret piled deeply on top of love. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate's welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. He could either leave for the Marines and I go to Anchorage or he doesn’t go into the Marines and has an instant job and live with me in Ina. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose. Thank you for your consideration.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised in and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for an associate’s welding degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel its riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use; that person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else's. Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. I hope that you appreciate my dedication to my work and goals in life. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much-needed scholarship.

The Horse's name is Bug and she is my three year old green horn. I was lucky enough to get her then with only 60 days of training. I take her swimming and introduce her to anything and everything I possibly can.The little doxie is Piper. I got piper when she was three days old. Her previous owner's vet wanted to put her down without even looking at her since she was born with a cleft pallet and most clefts don't have to will to live; Piper had every will and intention to live. I love them all so much.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other made it hard. I prayed every time when it got hard, I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe and allow the immaculate air to fill my lungs and blow out the voiceless words and God reading them like a book. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He had the biggest, roughest hands though, the kind of hands where if you looked close enough you could see that they were filled with regret piled deeply on top of love. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associates degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. He could either leave for the Marines and I go to Anchorage or he doesn’t go into the Marines and has an instant job and live with me Ina. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose. Thank you for your consideration.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, that part in the movie Seabiscuit where Red Pollard got dragged by that rampant racehorse and hit the feed bin fracturing his left leg, yeah that almost happened to me except with my neck. Or the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other made it hard. I prayed every time when it got hard, when I needed an answer, a new path to walk on, or when the demons needed to go away as a child and as a young adult now. I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe and allow the immaculate air to fill my lungs and blow out the voiceless words and God reading them like a book. Thank you for your consideration.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised on and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. For the past five years, not including my junior year that I didn’t get to play due to covid, I have been in track and field. And if there isn't one thing I know, it's that you should always push yourself. No matter how much farther you have to go or if the coach didn't specify if you could walk or not. Always keep pushing yourself for greater lengths. My coach has always given me special workouts because he sees potential in me for greatness, to beat the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash records. I never have been really able to get there though. But I know to have faith in the coach's brutal workouts and in myself. That when I feel like quitting, I tell myself no, keep going, don't stop, you will make it. And again, I tell myself before the starting gun goes off, run for God, run with God, and you will win no matter what, even though it may not feel like it. Throwing events on the other hand are a different story from sprints. It's a whole new level of physical strain that running. I was born on a farm and I live for farm life and it taught me many hard lessons that include working like the sun will never go down. I worked on throwing, if I didn't get it right I would continue to throw for hours more if my coach allowed it. He was the one who always had to stop me and tell me to go home. I suffered a lot of pain too but it didn't matter because if I didn’t make that first pace position then every ounce of work that I did was in vain. I was very wrong and I still need to get that through my head. Although stubbornness often gets the best of me and puts me in positions I shouldn’t be in. No matter what though, I have persevered and moved forward as fast as time would allow me to. The way that I worked there really was no team that I was a part of. I was at a whole new level of anyone else and in my mind, if I won, I helped out the team. Recently I have been put on a relay team instead of the open sprints. It’s been difficult because my constant training of solitude has been challenged by actual teamwork. The coaches always had to stay on their toes with me because if my receiver for the baton wasn't ready, she was going to be run over. This has made me not just put all the faith in myself to get the points but other people as well. For as independent I am this is one of the hardest things for me to do. Every track season is another season of different trials. My 9th grade year was one of my harder years because I had to learn how to rest. Earlier in the season I was riddled with tendinitis. My achilles got to the point that they were snapping but shredding. I was in so much pain every day, walking was a trial and on meet days I was sprinting. That was a hard slap to the face when I was told to stop running for half the season but it taught me many lessons that I need to appreciate more and apply to my future. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay, I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else. Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much needed scholarship. It takes talent to work this hard and then some.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. You may or may not believe in the Bible but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4-H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other made it hard. I prayed every time when it got hard, I endured though and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associates degree that offers different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, that part in the movie Seabiscuit where Red Pollard got dragged by that rampant racehorse and hit the feed bin fracturing his left leg, yeah that almost happened to me except with my neck. Or the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though; divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other mad it hard. I prayed every time when it got hard, I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe and allow the immaculate air to fill my lungs and blow out the voiceless words and God reading them like a book. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He had the biggest, roughest hands though, the kind of hands where if you looked close enough you could see that they were filled with regret piled deeply on top of love. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associates degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. He could either leave for the Marines and I go to Anchorage or he doesn’t go into the Marines and has an instant job and live with me Ina. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. My mom and dad were watching Lord of the Rings when she went into labor with me. To this day I still love watching that series. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised on and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associate’s degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone elses Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. I hope that you appreciate my dedication to my work and goals in life. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much needed scholarship.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. My mom and dad were watching Lord of the Rings when she went into labor with me. To this day I still love watching that series. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised on and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. This is my first year as an officer and it has been teaching me many things that include doing more than what is just required. Although, It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I think we can all agree that we need more of this in our world and I strive every day to be that person. It can be challenging because knowledge often comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associate’s degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else's Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. I hope that you appreciate my dedication to my work and goals in life. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much needed scholarship.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Northwestern Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. Regardless, I still love my home that I was raised on and gifted me with wonderful memories. Some memories were not perfect though, my parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. For the past five years, not including my junior year that I didn’t get to play due to covid, I have been in track and field. And if there isn't one thing I know, it's that you should always push yourself. No matter how much farther you have to go or if the coach didn't specify if you could walk or not. Always keep pushing yourself for greater lengths. My coach has always given me special workouts because he sees potential in me for greatness, to beat the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash records. I never have been really able to get there though. But I know to have faith in the coach's brutal workouts and in myself. That when I feel like quitting, I tell myself no, keep going, don't stop, you will make it. And again, I tell myself before the starting gun goes off, run for God, run with God, and you will win no matter what, even though it may not feel like it. Throwing events on the other hand are a different story from sprints. It's a whole new level of physical strain that running. I was born on a farm and I live for farm life and it taught me many hard lessons that include working like the sun will never go down. I worked on throwing, if I didn't get it right I would continue to throw for hours more if my coach allowed it. He was the one who always had to stop me and tell me to go home. I suffered a lot of pain too but it didn't matter because if I didn’t make that first pace position then every ounce of work that I did was in vain. I was very wrong and I still need to get that through my head. Although stubbornness often gets the best of me and puts me in positions I shouldn’t be in. No matter what though, I have persevered and moved forward as fast as time would allow me to. The way that I worked there really was no team that I was a part of. I was at a whole new level of anyone else and in my mind, if I won, I helped out the team. Recently I have been put on a relay team instead of the open sprints. It’s been difficult because my constant training of solitude has been challenged by actual teamwork. The coaches always had to stay on their toes with me because if my receiver for the baton wasn't ready, she was going to be run over. This has made me not just put all the faith in myself to get the points but other people as well. For as independent I am this is one of the hardest things for me to do. Every track season is another season of different trials. My 9th grade year was one of my harder years because I had to learn how to rest. Earlier in the season I was riddled with tendinitis. My achilles got to the point that they were snapping but shredding. I was in so much pain every day, walking was a trial and on meet days I was sprinting. That was a hard slap to the face when I was told to stop running for half the season but it taught me many lessons that I need to appreciate more and apply to my future. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay, I know it’s not perfect but neither is anyone else. Please take into consideration that I work very hard every day to get things done. I do my best with every task that is handed to me. Thank you again for giving me an opportunity at this much needed scholarship.

hi, I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. My parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge, hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics. The farm has taught me to know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I strive every day to be that person, it's hard because knowledge sometimes comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. My plan is to go to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associate’s degree. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and much more.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from one of my favorite books. You may or may not believe in it but no matter what there is truth in it. There’s always some truth in every story. This is my story and my struggles and how God got me through them and is still getting me through them. Every day of my life is and has always been a struggle. Some days are harder than others and I understand that there are worse things that could happen to me. I grew up on a farm riding horses and showing calves in 4H. This has given me plenty of experience getting in threatening situations and managing my disposition. For example, that part in the movie Seabiscuit where Red Pollard got dragged by that rampant racehorse and hit the feed bin fracturing his left leg, yeah that almost happened to me except with my neck. Or the time when I was nine years old and my parents got divorced. It was rough, week after week the fighting and yelling got worse and worse. Being that young and naive the days easily blurred together like police lights in the distance. It didn't get easier though. Divorce, sister getting an abortion, moving, custody fights, school, and just bad decisions and memories piled on top of the other mad it hard. I prayed every time when it got hard, when I needed an answer, a new path to walk on, or when the demons needed to go away as a child and as a young adult now. I'd walk out to the garden, the far end of the pasture, out to the woods, the animals, anywhere, and I'd get down on my knees and beg for the pain to go away. I endured and came to the realization that all I had to do was sit there and breathe and allow the immaculate air to fill my lungs and blow out the voiceless words and God reading them like a book. In 2016 I gave my confirmation speech and got accepted into my church as one. My verse was on the Bible verse Revelation 2:10. I made my grandpa cry that day by reading what seemed like a simple essay to me. He's the kind of man that's fueled by grit and spitefulness that would go cut down the strongest pine tree just because. He had the biggest, roughest hands though, the kind of hands where if you looked close enough you could see that they were filled with regret piled deeply on top of love. He died the next year of a heart attack at the age of 59 with no will to be read and a broken family. My family still fights over everything that he left behind. Just this year he finally got a proper gravestone marker. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associates degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. It's been hard choosing because my boyfriend wants to go to the Marines and I’m scared of saying goodbye to him for that long or forever. He could either leave for the Marines and I go to Anchorage or he doesn’t go into the Marines and has an instant job and live with me Ina. I'm trying to find an answer while waiting for God to show me the open doors. It's just a bit of a waiting game in the life of chess and like the little, blue fish from Finding Nemo always said, “Just keep swimming.” and that's what I’ll do. I always keep moving and will never stop fighting for my purpose. Thank you for your consideration.

This one is for my parents who can’t afford to pay for my college tuition. I was born on August 22, 2002, near the end of the night. My mom and dad were watching Lord of the Rings when she went into labor with me. I am the youngest of three girls and probably the most spiteful out of the three. I live in Northwestern Ohio and I grew up on a farm most of my life. There is not much left in Ohio, other than a few hills and endless cover crop fields as far as the road travels. My parents divorced when I was eight years old which has impacted my life greatly as you can imagine. It took me many years to realize that I was truly happy with my dad as his shadow. I learned many life skills, characteristics, and lessons from my dad. I eventually grew up to who I am now and I still thirst for half his knowledge hoping one day to know a whole lot more than what I do now. My future goals are to become the best person that I can be and live the best life that I can imagine to be possible. I plan on doing this by sharpening my skills, widening my horizons, and bettering my characteristics along the way in my life. I grew up on a farm, I know how to work like the sun will never go down. This lifestyle has given me a very strong work ethic and in-dependability. Over time with these skills I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills through FFA. I have the ability to take control when it’s needed and get the job done and right too. I have my chapter to thank for bringing out those leadership skills. It's hard to lead in a world such as today. Everyone is always looking for a leader to step up and I believe, as a community, we should teach those skills in leadership, responsibility, loyalty, truthfulness, integrity, dignity, and nobility. I strive every day to be that person, it's hard because knowledge sometimes comes with a price and not everyone can pay for that price including me. I want to continue my learning in agriculture and do my part in the community by continuing my education and development. For that to happen I need your help through scholarships. That's why I'm so thankful to have my family, scholarships, sponsors, businesses, etc. to help me achieve my goals. I am now at the age of 18 making my own decisions and paying for them. Responsibility has been hard but it came easy with the work ethic I acquired. I live my life and do what I can with the amount of plate room I have left. By this point, it's how much I can handle without screwing up or losing accountability. I plan on going to one of the two colleges I've chosen, one is in Anchorage, Alaska, and the other in Ina, Illinois for a welding associate’s degree. Both of these colleges offer different scholarships and opportunities. I will then go to a commercial diving institute and get my SCUBA degree and become an underwater welder. I love to weld and work with my hands and the idea of doing it underwater has always fascinated me. Very few people do it because it’s a dangerous job that no robot can replace anytime soon. The agricultural world needs welders and people that are willing to do the work a machine just can’t. These people aren’t usually born into a wealthy world of money but have to work the dirt to feel it’s riches. People like this, like me, need scholarships to do what they were born to do. The working class is what keeps the world running. Someone has to build and invent something for a man or woman to use. That person would be your welder, your farmer, your iron and steelworker, cell tower climber, manufacturers, and many more.

These two pictures are of me over the years and how I have been brave. From the time I jumped a horse bareback at what seemed to be an impossible height at the age of 12. To a few months ago where I still have the courage to climb on top of a three year old horse with a spine condition that with one bad fall can leave me paralyzed.

I grew up as my father’s shadow and a part of him lived and grew in me as I grew. We are connected by more than just blood but by spirit too. And like his spirit it thrives in the woods and mine does too. My grandpa when he still wakes this Earth owned a woods and my dad and I would go out there and listen to it. We would sit in silence and allow our bodies to become one with the forest. I continued to do this after many years of growing apart from my dad as young adults do. I’d go to a quiet place and conserve the part of his life within me. As I do so I find total bliss and manage to let go to the surrounding world.