My plans begin with a diesel mechanic certification in heavy equipment. I will move to regular diesel vehicles and power sports. I feel each of these certifications will prepare me to better understand vehicle engineering dynamics. I will then double major in aerospace and engineering sciences. I plan to give back to the technology world and my community through military service as an Aerospace and Aviation Engineer. I believe there is no greater way to contribute to one's community, state, and country than to be a member of our military. My goal is to share my knowledge and create new technology to advance our Airforce. I plan on serving a minimum of 20 years. After leaving the Airforce, I will open my own business. I will repair diesel equipment, vehicles, and power sports. Once my business is viable, I will go into my community and recruit young people seeking to learn a trade to better their situations. I will begin recruiting with the boys and girls clubs, foster children, and low-income teens of my county. As my recruitment and business grow, I hope to inspire young people to further their educations by completing a certificate program or attending college. Education is one thing nobody can take away. A scholarship is the last part of my life plan to help teens such as myself reach for the stars. Through these young people, the STEM community and technology world will grow with talented young people and their fresh outlooks. The youth are the future no matter the era or decade. We must lift them and provide them with opportunities to grow and flourish. Much like my adoptive parents did for me, I would like to pay it forward to other youth.

Generosity means family to me, mine specifically. My family is full of love, acceptance, and non-judgment. My parents are amazing people who fostered and adopted children. I am the youngest of 14 and 12 of us are adopted. My siblings are mostly in their 30's and upper 20's. Though we have lost two of my sisters, my family remains the center of our lives. Instead of being jealous of what my parents can do for me, my siblings root me on and motivate me. I belong to an amazing family full of acceptance and faith. I plan to give back to my community through military service. I believe there is no greater way to contribute to one's community, state, and country than to be a member of our military. I desire to be an Airforce officer with an aerospace and aviation engineering degree. My goal is to share my knowledge and create new technology to advance our Airforce. I plan on serving a minimum of 20 years. After leaving the Airforce, I will open my own business where I repair diesel equipment, vehicles, and power sports. Once my business is viable, I will go into my community and recruit young people seeking to learn a trade to better their situations. I will begin recruiting with the boys and girls clubs, foster children, and low-income teens of my county. As my recruitment and business grow, I hope to inspire young people to further their educations by completing a certificate program or attending college. Education is one thing nobody can take away from us. A scholarship is the last part of my community service plan to help teens such as myself reach for the stars.

I am currently a graduated Junior at Alabama Connections Academy. I graduated this May with 18 credit hours from The University of Alabama. I plan to pursue a variety of diesel mechanic certifications and an associate degree at SIC. I come from a foster care situation where I was adopted by a loving family. My parents inspire me to be the best version of myself. They have also taught me to always believe I can do anything. By working hard and having the desire to succeed, anything is within my grasp. I have an interest in diesel mechanics after working with my Dad in his shop. He has taught me basic vehicle repairs, maintenance, restoration, and how to rebuild a gas combustion engine. Being raised in a home that has an appreciation for self-reliance has taught me all things are repairable with the right knowledge. Diesel engines are a challenge I desire to learn more about and excel in repairing and building. My plan for furthering my education is, to begin with, a diesel mechanic certification in heavy equipment. Then I would like to move on to the medium/heavy-duty diesel trucks and power sports certifications. I feel each of these certifications will prepare me to better understand vehicle engineering dynamics. I will then move to an Associate's degree in diesel technology that is offered at SIC. After gaining this knowledge, I would like to work in the Air Force. Once I retire from the Air Force, I plan to transition into a position with a great company before beginning my shop. My specialty would be with Medium/Heavy Duty trucks with the ability to assist with heavy machinery on job sites. I would essentially be making a house call like the doctors of old but on job sites.

I am currently a Junior/Senior at Alabama Connections Academy. I will graduate this May with the required credits and courses along with 22 credit hours from The University of Alabama. I am striving to achieve my first Master's Degree by 23. I plan to pursue a variety of certifications and degrees that will assist me in becoming the best aerospace and aviation engineer in the Airforce. I come from a foster care situation where I was adopted at age five by a loving family. In my life, I have had to learn that everything happens for a reason. As a foster child and then an adoptee, I felt abandoned and unworthy of love. I couldn't understand how a biological family would choose to give life to a child and then decide they didn't want them. Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something to make them not love me? These were questions that haunted me and I was afraid to speak to my adopted parents about the issues. I began to act out and push my family away. It got to such a point that I considered doing drastic things to myself to take the hurt away. I began cutting and isolated myself and even considered suicide. My parents became concerned and offered therapy. My Mom would tell me daily, "There is nothing you could ever say or do that would make us not love you." I tried to stay stoic and isolated from their love. However, that daily affirmation finally broke through and I took advantage of the therapy they offered me. I recently had a friend threaten suicide. After the damage I inflicted upon myself along with my own thoughts of suicide, I acted immediately. First I spoke to my parents and we made a phone call to his family. I was concerned he would be angry with me for telling. My parents assured me him being angry and alive was more important than him committing suicide. I've learned that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. His family intervened and prevented his suicide. I was relieved but terrified of his anger. One could I say "I turned up my concern for his well-being to 11" and risked our firnedhsipm. That risk was more important than him taking his own life. I prayed there would be no anger or at least some understanding. I reached out to him after he returned home from treatment. Thankfully, we are still friends and he is grateful that I spoke up. That situation taught me that it is always best to do what's right for another and not consider how it's going to impact myself. I also learned that suicide is scary and life is fluid. Nothing every stays bad or good for long. The best we can hope for is a support system to help us through the peaks and valleys. I'm blessed to have a support system that I know I can count on. After my own crisis, I turned my focus to excelling in my studies and pushing for an early graduation. One could say, "I Turned it Up to 11" and got it done. Life is too short for regrets and to allow others to define you. I choose who I am and who I will be in the future. My character is the definition of the person I show the world and I must be happy with who I see in the mirror every day. Thank you for time and consideration.

I am currently a Junior/Senior at Alabama Connections Academy. I will graduate this May with the required high school credits and courses along with 22 credit hours from The University of Alabama. I am striving to achieve my first Master's Degree by 23. I plan to pursue a variety of certications and degrees that will assist me in becoming the best aerospace and aviation engineer in the Airforce. I come from a foster care situation where I was adopted by a loving family at age five. My parents are inspiring with how they share and grow their love with each new family member. My plan for furthering my education is to begin with a diesel mechanic certification in heavy equipment. Then I will move to regular diesel vehicles and power sports. I feel each of these certifications will prepare me to better understand the vehicle engineering dynamics. I will then move to a double major in aerospace engineering and engineering science. In striving to reach my first Master's degree, I will further achieve a better understand of the sciences and design required to create new aerospace technology. plan to give back to the tech world and ommunity through military service as an Aerospace and Aviation Engineer. I believe there is no greater way to contribute to one's community, state and country than to be a member of our military. My goal is to share my knowledge and create new technology to advance our Airforce. I plan on serving a minimum of 20 years. After leaving the Airforce, I will open my own business. I will repair diesel equipment, vehicles, and power sports. Once my business is viable, I will go into my community and recruit young people seeking to learn a trade to better their situations. I will begin recruiting with the boys and girls clubs, foster children, and low income teens of my county. As my recruitment and testing grows, I hope to inspire the young people to further their educations by completing a certificate program or attending college. Education is one thing nobody can take away. A scholarship is the last part of my life plan to help teens such as myself reach for the stars. Through these young people, the STEM community and tech world will grow with talented young people and their fresh outlooks. The youth are the future no matter the era or decade. We must loft them up and provide them with the opportunities to grow and flourish. Much like my parents did for me, I would like to pay it forward to other youth. Thank you for your time and consideration

I am currently a Junior at Alabama Connections Academy. I will graduate this May with the required credits, courses, along with 22 credit hours from The University of Alabama. I am striving to achieve my first Master's Degree by 23. I plan to pursue a variety of certifications and degrees that will assist me in becoming the best aerospace and aviation engineer in the Airforce. I come from a foster care situation where I was adopted at age five by a loving family. My parents are inspiring with how they share and grow their love with each new family member. My plan for furthering my education is to begin with a diesel mechanic certification in heavy equipment. Then I will move to regular diesel vehicles and power sports. I feel each of these certifications will prepare me to better understand the vehicle engineering dynamics. I will then move to a double major in aerospace engineering and engineering science. In striving to reach my first Master's degree, I will further achieve a better understand of the sciences and design required to create new aerospace technology. In my life, I have had to learn that everything happens for a reason. As a foster child and then an adoptee, I felt abandoned and unworthy of love. I couldn't understand how a biological family would choose to give life to a child and then decide they didn't want them. Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something to make them not love me? These were questions that haunted me and I was afraid to speak to my adopted parents about the issues. I began to act out and push my family away. It got to such a point that I considered doing drastic things to myself to take the hurt away. I began cutting and isolated myself and considered suicide. My parents became concerned and offered therapy. My Mom would tell me daily, "There is nothing you could ever say or do that would make us not love you." I tried to stay stoic and isolated from their love. However, that daily affirmation finally broke through. I recently had a friend threaten suicide. After the damage I inflicted upon myself along with my own thoughts of suicide, I acted immediately. First I spoke to my parents and we made a phone call to his family. I was concerned he would be angry with me for telling. My parents assured me him being angry and alive was more important than him committing suicide. I've learned that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. His family intervened and prevented his suicide. I was relieved but terrified of his anger. Praying there would be none or at least some understanding, I reached out to him after he returned home from treatment. Thankfully we are still friends and he is thankful I spoke up. That situation taught me that it is always best to do what's right for another and not consider how it's going to impact myself. When doing the right thing, which is hard most of the time, one at least has the assurance that it is for the other person's benefit. I also learned that suicide is scary and life is fluid. Nothing every stay bad or good for long. The best we can hope for is a support system to help us through the peaks and valleys.

Drunk driving has an impact not only on the individual but the community as a whole. When a life is lost due to negligence and carelessness, the family and friends grieve as one. The surrounding community is also effected. It doesn't take much for a life to be lost when someone makes the choice to get behind the wheel while in an impaired state. Drunk driving is a real issue and can be mitigated with education. The consequences of taking a life are real. One who survives after killing another person or a group of people, will have to live with that knowledge for the rest of their life. The loss of a loved one is something that one never fully recovers. My Uncle died due to a drunk driver and our family has never been the same. In fact, my heart has never fully recovered from his loss. It only takes one bad decision to ruin a life, take a life and impact a community. I am the youngest in a large family. Our family believes in, "you do for family." Due to this, I'm not only close to my siblings and parents but also my Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents. Our family was dealt a blow in August of 2015. My Uncle was killed by a drunk driver. He was on the way home from a job site and was killed. His wife and children had no idea when they awoke that morning for work and school. They knew he was on call and assumed he was working so went on with their day. Later, they received visits from a Highway Patrolman and Chaplin. As the news made it the rest of the family, our hearts broke for them and us. The driver was prosecuted and reprimanded to jail for a period of time but we will never see my Uncle again. The ripple effect his loss had everyone, especially his family, was hard to witness. His boys began to act out without their father there to guide them. They didn't know how to deal with their grief as teenage boys and lashed out at anyone trying to help. Their sister become withdrawn and quiet instead of the outgoing athlete she had been before losing her dad. Their Mom shut down for a little over a year and lost her job. The family began to see a therapist and began to heal but their dynamic has never been the same. The rest of us feel his loss everyday, me especially. I was extremely close to my Uncle and my heart aches for him. I miss his laughter and how he lived with so much joy. Everything was precious to him. He had a way of making everyone feel special and loved. He was the brightest light in our family. The pain has lessened as time drags on but it is still present. I know he would be proud of the young lady I have become. I strive everyday to live as if he is watching. I have to believe that he is proud of my accomplishments and my future goals. My goals are to attain multiple degrees then serve in the Air Force. Drinking and driving are dangerous. Due to someone else's thoughtless actions, our family will no longer see my Uncle's megawatt smile, hear his laughter or get to experience his zest and joy for life. Education is the key to stopping this senseless loss of life. Stricter penalties wouldn't hurt either.

In my life, I have had to learn that everything happens for a reason and to be grateful for each circumstance. As a foster child and an adoptee, I felt abandoned and unworthy of love. I couldn't understand how a biological family would choose to give life to a child and then decide they didn't want them. Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something to make them not love me? Was I ultimately unloveable? These were questions that haunted me and I was afraid to speak to my adopted parents about the issues. I began to act out and push my family away. It got to such a point that I considered doing drastic things to myself to take the hurt away. I began cutting and isolated myself. My parents became concerned and offered therapy. My Mom would tell me daily, "There is nothing you could ever say or do that would make us not love you." I tried to stay stoic and isolated from their love. However, that daily affirmation finally broke through. I asked the questions that had been haunting me. They explained to me that to give a child life is a love gift. Not everyone is meant to parent a child and that's okay and that has nothing to do with child. It's okay to feel hurt and abandoned. I was grateful they didn't make me feel bad for how I felt and confirmed that it was normal. What's not okay is to lock those who love you out of your life. I've learned to be more honest and open with my family. God chose me to be with my family. We are a unit that blood doesn't define; love does. I am grateful for a family full of love, acceptance, and non-judgement.

I plan to influence foster children and low income teens to strive for a better life. By giving them an opportunity to learn a trade, I hope to give them purpose. As a foster child and then an adoptee, I felt abandoned and unworthy of love. I couldn't understand how a biological family would choose to give life to a child and then decide they didn't want them. Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something to make them not love me? Was I ultimately unloveable? These were questions that haunted me and I felt unworthy of a future. I desire to stop those negative thoughts for others and show them there's a good life waiting for all of us. We just have to reach for it and not let go. My Mom would tell me daily, "There is nothing you could ever say or do that would make us not love you." I tried to stay stoic and isolated from my families love. I felt unworthy and undeserving of their affections and love. However, that daily affirmation finally broke through. The weight of the world lifted off my shoulders the evening I spoke with them. I asked the questions that had been haunting me and causing me to feel less than. They explained to me that to give a child life is a love gift. Not everyone is meant to parent a child and that's okay. That has nothing to do with child. It's okay to feel hurt and even abandoned. It felt good that they didn't make me feel bad for how I felt and confirmed that it was okay and normal. What's not okay is to lock those who love you out of your life. I've learned to be more honest and open with my family when that voice in my head works to cast doubts upon me. I know I am worthy of love. God chose me to be with my family. We are a unit and blood doesn't define a family, love does. My family is full of love, acceptance, and non-judgement. My parents are amazing people who fostered and adopted children. I am the youngest of 14 and 12 of us are adopted. My siblings are mostly in their 30's and upper 20's. Though we have lost two of my sister's, my family remains the center of my world. I also plan to give back to my community through military service. I believe there is no greater way to contribute socially to one's community, state and country than to be a member of our military. I desire to be an Airforce officer with an aerospace and aviation engineering degree. My goal is to share my knowledge and create new technology to advance our Airforce. I plan on serving a minimum of 20 years. After leaving the Airforce, I will open my own business where I repair diesel equipment, vehicles, and power sports. Once my business is viable, I will go into my community and recruit young people seeking to learn a trade to better their situations. I will begin recruiting with the boys and girls clubs, foster children, and low income teens of my county. As my recruitment grows, I hope to inspire the youth's to further their educations by completing a certificate program or attending college; education is one thing nobody can take away. A scholarship is the last part of my community service plan to help teens such as myself reach for the stars. I plan to share yn story with them to show them success is possible.

In my life, I have had to learn that everything happens for a reason. As a foster child and then an adoptee, I felt abandoned and unworthy of love. I couldn't understand how a biological family would choose to give life to a child and then decide they didn't want them. Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something to make them not love me? Was I ultimately unloveable? These were questions that haunted me and I was afraid to speak to my adopted parents about the issues. I began to act out and push my family away. It got to such a point that I considered doing drastic things to myself to take the hurt away. I began cutting and isolated myself. My parents became concerned and offered therapy. My Mom would tell me daily, "There is nothing you could ever say or do that would make us not love you." I tried to stay stoic and isolated from their love. However, that daily affirmation finally broke through. The weight of the world lifted off my shoulders the evening I spoke with them. I asked the questions that had been haunting me and causing me to feel less than. They explained to me that to give a child life is a love gift. Not everyone is meant to parent a child and that's okay. That has nothing to do with child. It's okay to feel hurt and even abandoned. It felt good that they didn't make me feel bad for how I felt and confirmed that it was okay and normal. What's not okay is to lock those who love you out of your life. I've learned to be more honest and open with my family when that voice in my head works to cast doubts upon me. I know I am worthy of love. God chose me to be with my family. We are a unit and blood doesn't define a family, love does. My family is full of love, acceptance, and non-judgement. My parents are amazing people who fostered and adopted children. I am the youngest of 14 and 12 of us are adopted. My siblings are mostly in their 30's and upper 20's. Though we have lost two of my sister's, my family remains the center of our lives. Instead of being jealous of what my parents are able to do for me, my siblings root me on and motivate me. I belong to an amazing family of acceptance and faith. I plan to give back to my community through military service. I believe there is no greater way to contribute to one's community, state and country than to be a member of our military. I desire to be an Airforce officer with an aerospace and aviation engineering degree. My goal is to share my knowledge and create new technology to advance our Airforce. I plan on serving a minimum of 20 years. After leaving the Airforce, I will open my own business where I repair diesel equipment, vehicles, and power sports. Once my business is viable, I will go into my community and recruit young people seeking to learn a trade to better their situations. I will begin recruiting with the boys and girls clubs, foster children, and low income teens of my county. As my recruitment grows, I hope to inspire the youths to further their educations by completing a certificate program or attending college; education is one thing nobody can take away. A scholarship is the last part of my plan to help teens such as myself reach for the stars.

I am currently a Junior at Alabama Connections Academy. I will graduate this May with the required high school credits, courses, along with 22 credit hours from The University of Alabama. I am striving to achieve my first Master's Degree by 23. I plan to pursue a variety of certications and degrees that will assist me in becoming the best aerospace and aviation engineer in the Airforce. I come from a foster care situation where I was adopted by a loving family. My parents are inspiring with how they share and grow their love with each new family member. My plan for furthering my education is to begin with a diesel mechanic certification in heavy equipment. Then I will move to regular diesel vehicles and power sports. I feel each of these certifications will prepare me to better understand the vehicle engineering dynamics. I will then move to a double major in aerospace engineering and engineering science. In striving to reach my first Master's degree, I will further achieve a better understand of the sciences and design required to create new aerospace technology. In my life, I have had to learn that everything happens for a reason. As a foster child and then an adoptee, I felt abandoned and unworthy of love. I couldn't understand how a biological family would choose to give life to a child and then decide they didn't want them. Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something to make them not love me? Was I ultimately unloveable? These were questions that haunted me and I was afraid to speak to my adopted parents about the issues. I began to act out and push my family away. It got to such a point that I considered doing drastic things to myself to take the hurt away. I began cutting and isolated myself. My parents became concerned and offered therapy. My Mom would tell me daily, "There is nothing you could ever say or do that would make us not love you." I tried to stay stoic and isolated from their love. However, that daily affirmation finally broke through. The weight of the world lifted off my shoulders the evening I spoke with them. I asked the questions that had been haunting me and causing me to feel less than. They explained to me that to give a child life is a love gift. Not everyone is meant to parent a child and that's okay. That has nothing to do with child. It's okay to feel hurt and even abandoned. It felt good that they didn't make me feel bad for how I felt and confirmed that it was okay and normal. What's not okay is to lock those who love you out of your life. I've learned to be more honest and open with my family when that voice in my head works to cast doubts upon me. I know I am worthy of love. God chose me to be with my family. We are a unit and blood doesn't define a family, love does. My family is full of love, acceptance, and non-judgement. My parents are amazing people who fostered and adopted children. I am the youngest of 14 and 12 of us are adopted. My siblings are mostly in their 30's and upper 20's. Though we have lost two of my sister's, my family remains the center of our lives. Instead of being jealous of what my parents are able to do for me, my siblings root me on and motivate me. I belong to an amazing family of acceptance and faith.