Until I reached high school, I thought that everyone lived in a tight-knit community like I did. Having worked for my grandfather’s septic installation business since I was eight years old, I knew almost everyone I met until that point. Everyone my grandfather would introduce me to was hardworking and had some skill set that, when necessary, would come in handy. Not only that, they all seemed to want to help. One particular example that comes to mind is my grandfather’s friend Mr. Clark, a Vietnam War veteran, Medal of Valor winner, incredible mechanic, and all around hard worker. I have gotten several chances to work with Mr. Clark as he always has a project, and every time I do, I learn something about how to be a better person. Growing up, I loved to play in the woods on my family’s property. If I ever got lost in the woods, it didn’t matter how I got out because there was someone I knew on every side of the woods who would help me get home. This came in handy a few times. In one example, I was 7, lost with two of my brothers as we explored new trails. We walked for the better part of 45 minutes, looking for the tree that stuck up from our yard. We ended up in a blackberry bush that stood 6 feet high and we clawed our way through it with sticks until we ended up at our neighbor’s house, who happily gave us directions home (after getting us out with some pruning shears). This kind of community has led me to desire to live in a similar community after I finish college. My community has always been supportive of me as well. When I was 11, I built my first forge. In that pit of roaring fire, I held a piece of rebar which had begun to glow a red color. Then I looked up and saw my neighbor, Mr. Hackenburg, coming down the hill from his house to see what all the hammering was about. After showing him my forge, he asked if I needed a woodstove or anything like that to set the forge in, since he had a spare in his body shop. Unfortunately, I had no space at the time and was unable to accept the stove, but the offer reminded me of how supportive the community I live in is. That community was willing to give up something that they didn’t need in order for an 11 year old to live his dream. In another example, I was working on a bulldozer for my uncle, and there were some parts that were nearly impossible to obtain. For this, I turned to Heller Enterprises, a local business that I was told could find any part I needed. This turned out to be true as a joint link for a 1962 bulldozer appeared in my mailbox two weeks later. This experience reminded me of the support and willingness to help that my community possesses. This lasts in me today as I love to help and support others on their endeavours and projects.