Welding has always been a part of my life. My family worked in the trade, and from a young age I saw both the hard work and the rewards it could bring. My grandfather welded at home, and I was fascinated watching him create something strong and lasting from raw pieces of metal. Over time, I saw the opportunities welding offered—not just the ability to earn a living, but also the chance to travel, be independent, and create with my own hands. Those experiences inspired me to pursue welding for myself. I chose a career in the trades because I believe skilled work matters. So much of the world we depend on every day—bridges, buildings, vehicles, pipelines—exists because of the work of tradespeople. Welding in particular plays a role in nearly every industry, and I am motivated by the idea that my work will contribute to something bigger than myself. It is both a career and a calling, where creativity meets precision, and where I can take pride in the quality of what I build. Another reason I was drawn to welding is the stability and independence it offers. I know firsthand how challenging it can be when opportunities feel limited, and I wanted to choose a career that would allow me to stand on my own two feet while also supporting others. Welding provides a skill that will always be needed, and that makes me confident about the future. Beyond welding itself, I care about social causes that connect to opportunity and access. I know how important it is for young people to have exposure to skilled trades early on, so they can see the potential of a path that does not always get the attention it deserves. College is often presented as the only route to success, but trades like welding prove that there are many valuable ways to build a career and a life. I want to help break down the stigma that sometimes surrounds trade work and show that it is a field full of creativity, problem-solving, and pride. I also care deeply about the idea of giving back. One of my goals is to use my skills not only to provide for myself but also to help others. Whether that’s repairing something for someone in need, building projects that serve the community, or encouraging others to consider the trades, I want to use my work to make a difference. In the end, welding is more than just a job to me—it’s a path that represents hard work, creativity, independence, and community. By pursuing this trade, I am honoring the example set by my family while also carving out my own future. I believe skilled work has the power to change lives, and I am proud to be part of that tradition.

Welding has always been a part of my life. My family worked in the trade, and from a young age I saw both the hard work and the rewards it could bring. My grandfather welded at home, and I was fascinated watching him create something strong and lasting from raw pieces of metal. Over time, I saw the opportunities welding offered—not just the ability to earn a living, but also the chance to travel, be independent, and create with my own hands. Those experiences inspired me to pursue welding for myself. My path hasn’t been without obstacles. I joined trade school this past year, and one of my biggest struggles was transportation. At first, I had no reliable way to get from home to school, and I often depended on others or had to find rides just to make it to class. It would have been easy to give up, but I stayed determined. I pushed through until I was finally able to get consistent transportation, which allowed me to focus fully on my training. That struggle taught me the importance of persistence and finding a way forward, even when things aren’t easy. My passion for welding comes from both creativity and precision. I love the balance between problem-solving and hands-on skill. Each weld requires focus and care, and I take pride in working toward clean, strong results. Welding allows me to use both my head and my hands while knowing that the finished product will serve a real purpose. Whether it’s building something new or repairing what’s broken, welding gives me a sense of pride in contributing to something bigger than myself. Looking ahead, my goal is to become a stable and skilled welder who can give back to others. I want to build a strong career, continue learning, and keep making myself a better worker and person. I believe skilled work matters because it keeps the world running. From the buildings we walk into, to the bridges we drive across, to the tools we use every day—skilled workers make those things possible. Welding combines creativity with problem-solving, and at the same time, it provides a purpose and a sense of pride that motivates me to keep growing. This scholarship would help me continue on my journey by giving me the support I need to stay in school and reach my goals. Education is the foundation of my career, and being able to focus on learning without as much financial stress would make a huge difference. It would not only help me become a better welder, but also put me in a position to build a stable future and contribute to my community. I am proud of the path I’ve chosen. Welding challenges me, inspires me, and pushes me to be better every day. With hard work and support, I know I can build a career that reflects both the strength of the trade and the passion I’ve carried for it since I was young.

The trade I chose to pursue is welding, I am passionate about doing welding because I grew up around some of my family members doing it and always found interest in it. I saw the money it brought in and how you got to travel and that’s something i’ve always wanted to do! My family who was in welding didn’t manage money well or stay in the trade for long because of addictions and I want to be different from that and just succeed in a career I really enjoy. When welding I feel at ease and it just takes my mind off things, it’s something I really enjoy. After learning all about welding and get done with schooling my plan is to just get out and go try pipe welding something that I can do traveling with. I want to get the experience to travel the world and see new things while working. My plan is to work for a couple of years and manage my money well then maybe get into a different education after awhile of doing welding. A time in life when I overcame adversity was when I lived with my mother we went through a bunch of struggles we had a lot of setbacks. We were homeless, she was highly addicted to drugs and I always was playing a mother role to my little sister, I never had time for school and was at a point that I wasn’t going to graduate, I was in a depressive state of mind and just felt like life didn’t matter and it was never going to get better but God gave me and my sister an opportunity to leave and I took it and left with me and my sister. We then went to live with my aunt and she took my mom to court to get custody of us. The moments with living with my aunt was a blessing, me and my sister didn’t have to be surrounded by drugs or drug addicts, we got to have a normal life. I was getting better mentally and didn’t feel depressed I felt just right I felt normal, I didn’t have to take on a role to keep up with my sister. I didn’t have to make sure she always made it to school, did her homework, ate throughout the day, or just make sure she was safe. I got to live the rest of the teenage years I had, I got better in school and actually got to take the time out and understand school and be more involved with it. I then graduated high school and got the chance to go into trade and do welding.

My experience with mental health shaped my goals out really great actually! At first in my early teenage years I was more confused with my emotions but over time I learned how to cope and work with them. At first I was lost in life but I learned that in order to grow and get better you have to take yourself out of the old way you were living and place yourself in a better environment in order to grow and get out that depressive state of mind. So over time when I placed myself in a different environment and started to live differently I became more clear of who I want to be, how I want to live, and what my job career will be in, I felt more connected with myself. Relationship wise I am still learning and know i’m growing as a person but so far what i’ve learned is everyone goes through things and reacts to things differently and everyone feels different. Just to respect how others feel. But mental health helped me understand the world more because going through mental health can connect people together.Going through mental health struggles can make you more empathetic and compassionate towards others. You might become more aware of the silent battles people face and be more inclined to offer support and understanding. Overcoming mental health challenges often builds resilience and inner strength. This can change your perspective on difficulties and make you more appreciative of the small victories in life. You might develop a better understanding of the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. This can lead to healthier lifestyle choices and better overall well-being. Overall, mental health experiences can shape a more nuanced and compassionate view of the world, emphasizing the importance of kindness, support, and understanding.