Hello, I am currently an HVAC/R Elite student at Lincoln Technical Institute-Union. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. When I decided earlier this year to continue my education by attending trade school, I understood pursuing a career in a critical and diverse trade like HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) requires grit in multiple forms. I believe my somewhat unconventional, winding path to reach this point helped me develop the necessary traits to become a quality trade professional, and many of my accomplishments and experiences along the way demonstrate how I have long embodied the core values of generosity, respect, innovation, and teamwork. Assisting others and giving back however I can have been innate parts of my nature since I was a child I received the Stewardship Award from my teachers' nominations in middle school and have kept tutoring my peers and doing community service since. I find it so rewarding and gives me purpose. Trade work is just as much about being generous with your time, expertise, handiwork, and available resources to find solutions in service of your community as it is using the required specialized knowledge and skills to get the job done efficiently and effectively. My instructors have acknowledged how I exemplify that notion by guiding my classmates through learning the material and supporting them during lab assignments often without being asked. As a woman entering a predominantly male field, I certainly take pride in how quickly I have earned the respect of my instructors so far (who are all men), which was only possible through respectful demeanor (as respect is a two-way street) and showing overall proficiency. By exceeding expectations with my professional attitude and character, consistent leadership and initiative in the classroom, and dedication to and aptitude with both conceptual and hands-on learning, they unanimously recommended me for the HVAC/R Elite Program. I aspire to keep being an example of what women can do in this field, setting new standards in the profession for anyone no matter their gender, and proving I am worthy of such high praise. When I sought a traditional higher education after graduating high school, I contributed to several innovative organizational initiatives and research projects over the years. This led to transformative outcomes and findings that reoriented the trajectory of future institutional development and analytical study. I love doing puzzles for fun in my free time, so I'm adept at using problem solving and critical thinking as well as being adaptable with the resources at my disposal when I come across new challenges. Several of my instructors and classmates have commented on how I bring a unique perspective to many discussions and activities, making them view something in a way they had never considered before. Throughout my life, I have participated in countless group projects in various settings as well as been a member of numerous sports teams and extracurricular clubs. Cooperating with others was foundational to achieving the shared goals in those situations just like it is in the field of HVAC/R. I continue to develop my teamwork and leadership capabilities in the classroom through regular group lab assignments, which necessitate patience, clear communication, trust, understanding, adaptability, resourcefulness, and physical cooperation to complete the given tasks. Generosity, respect, innovation, and teamwork are principles that have guided me as long as I can remember to be the best person, student, role model, and professional I can be. This scholarship will help me be able to fund my ongoing education journey (as I eventually would like to finish my Bachelor's Degree) as well as inspire more women and nontraditional students to pursue fulfilling opportunities in trades that could expand their horizons in ways they likely had not considered.