Art, to me, is not just paint on canvas or music from strings. It is problem solving, creativity, and the challenge of making something new out of raw materials. My favorite piece of art I have created is an acoustic guitar that I built by 3D printing the body and machining a custom wooden stand for it. This project was more than just a creative outlet. It was a statement about what is possible when you combine imagination with engineering. The idea came to me during a time when I was learning more about design software and prototyping. I have always loved music, and I thought it would be powerful to make something that blends both the artistic and technical sides of who I am. I did not want to just draw or paint something. I wanted to make something functional and beautiful with my own hands. So, I designed the body of the guitar using CAD software, carefully calculating the dimensions to ensure sound could resonate properly. Then, I 3D printed it in pieces, assembled it, and carved a wooden stand by hand to hold it upright. It was not easy. I had to learn through trial and error, adjusting tolerances, reprinting parts, and refining the way the neck joined the body. But every challenge made me more determined. Seeing the finished product, an actual playable guitar, reminded me why I love creating things. It is a reminder that limitations can be overcome with patience, vision, and effort. This guitar represents more than a college project. It is a symbol of how I approach life. I grew up without many resources, but I have always been curious and willing to work hard. Creating that guitar proved to me that I could take an idea from my head and bring it into the world with persistence and creativity. I am currently working toward an associate degree in mechanical engineering and plan to transfer to Fort Hays State University to continue my education and obtain my bachelor’s degree. My goal is to become a mechanical engineer and eventually a pilot. I plan to use my education not only to build a better future for my son and me but also to contribute to projects and technologies that improve lives. I believe engineering is its own form of art, one that shapes the world around us. Whether designing aircraft systems, building sustainable technologies, or mentoring others, I want my work to reflect a mix of precision, creativity, and passion. This scholarship would help me continue creating, learning, and moving forward in my journey. It would support me as I pursue my bachelor’s degree and allow me to keep applying what I learn in real, hands-on ways.

When I became a father at 17, my life changed overnight. I went from thinking about weekend plans to thinking about diapers, daycare, and how I was going to build a future for my son. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, but it was also the most powerful. That moment gave me purpose, and it has been driving me ever since. I am currently studying mechanical engineering with plans to transfer to Fort Hays State University to complete my bachelor’s degree. My goal is to enlist in the Air Force once I graduate. I believe the military will not only help me grow as a professional and as a man, but it will also provide the stability and benefits my son, and I need. Long term, I aim to pursue aviation through the Professional Pilot program at Kansas State University Salina. Flying has always fascinated me, and becoming a pilot represents more than just a career. It is a symbol of rising above the limits placed on me by my background. I come from a place where opportunities were scarce, and resources were stretched thin. That experience did not break me. Instead, it shaped my character and gave me the hunger to push forward. I work hard, not just in school but also in my community. I help by working at the local cemetery, where I maintain the grounds and assist in preparing for services. It may not be glamorous, but it is important work. It has taught me the value of honoring others, even in silence, and taking pride in serving with care and consistency. I plan to make a positive impact through service. In the Air Force, I want to contribute to national defense while also being a role model for other young parents and students who might feel like their dreams are out of reach. Through aviation, I want to inspire people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to believe that no dream is too high. Eventually, I hope to mentor youth and support programs that help underserved students discover careers in engineering, aviation, and public service. This scholarship would not just help cover the cost of tuition and materials. It would be an investment in someone who is determined to break generational barriers. It would give me the support I need to stay focused on my education and provide a better life for my son. Most importantly, it would be one more reminder that my story matters and that people believe in where I am going. I am not perfect. I have made mistakes and faced setbacks. But every challenge has pushed me to grow. I wake up each morning with one thought in mind: be better today than I was yesterday, for my son, for my future, and for the people who have yet to hear a story like mine and realize that they too can succeed.

Becoming a father at 17 changed everything for me. It was not easy balancing school, working jobs to support myself and my son, and navigating co-parenting, all while figuring out who I wanted to become. But my son gave me purpose. He is the reason I wake up early, push through tough days, and chase dreams that once felt impossible. Currently, I am studying mechanical engineering with plans to transfer to Fort Hays State University. My goal is to earn a bachelor's degree and then enlist in the Air Force. I want to provide a stable and secure life for my son, and the Air Force offers opportunities and benefits that can help me do that. I am also drawn to the skies and hope to pursue the Professional Pilot program at Kansas State University Salina. Flying has always fascinated me. It represents freedom, discipline, and the ability to rise above my circumstances, literally and figuratively. In my community, I help by working at the cemetery. It is quiet work, but meaningful. Whether it is maintaining the grounds or helping prepare for services, I take pride in doing something that brings peace and dignity to others. It has taught me responsibility and reminded me how short and valuable life really is. My journey has been full of challenges, but I use every one of them as fuel to move forward. I want to be a role model not only for my son but for others who feel stuck in difficult situations. This scholarship would be more than financial assistance. Personally, it would lift me closer to becoming the best father I can be. Professionally, it would help me earn the credentials to reach the cockpit and build a future for me and my son.

I have been fascinated by aviation and space since I was a kid. I would spend hours watching planes soar through the sky and imagining what it would be like to sit in the cockpit, controlling such a powerful machine. I was equally drawn to space travel, the unknown, and the sense of adventure of exploring what lies beyond our world. That childhood curiosity never left me. Over time, it became a real passion and the desire to turn those early dreams into a career. Pursuing an aviation degree is not just about following a lifelong interest. It is about building a future that allows me to do something meaningful and exciting while also providing stability and purpose for my family. I became a father at seventeen. That experience changed my perspective and added new urgency to my goals. My dreams are no longer just mine. They are connected to my son’s future. I want to show him that hard work, focus, and passion can make dreams a reality. What attracts me most to aviation is the combination of science, precision, and responsibility. Pilots are highly skilled professionals trusted with people’s lives and safety. They must think critically, stay calm under pressure, and always be prepared for the unexpected. These are the traits I have been developing as a young parent learning to balance responsibilities, stay grounded, and make thoughtful decisions for the sake of someone I love deeply. I plan to complete a professional pilot degree and begin a career in commercial aviation. I want to work for a major airline one day, but I also have a deep interest in the future of aviation and aerospace technology. I would love to eventually contribute to areas of innovation that push the boundaries of where flight can take us. Whether in the air or potentially connected to space exploration, I want to be part of something that moves the world forward. Outside of school, I stay active in my community. I co-parent my son and take pride in being a present and supportive father. I’ve naturally connected with other young parents and support networks through this role. I have also volunteered at local food drives and school events. I believe being involved, even in small ways, helps strengthen the places we live and the people around us. While I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Kansas State University Salina in person, I have thoroughly researched the program and know it is the right fit for my goals. The school’s strong aviation curriculum, experienced instructors, and professional training environment align with the education I seek. I am excited for the opportunity to grow in a program where aviation is not just taught but lived. Ultimately, pursuing a career in aviation is more than a personal dream. It is about building a future I can be proud of for myself and my son. It is about turning curiosity into expertise and passion into purpose. I want to be an example for him proof that no matter where you start, you can go far, even to the sky and beyond.

My most outstanding achievement wasn’t winning a trophy, earning a scholarship, or getting a perfect grade. It was becoming a father at seventeen and choosing to rise to the challenge rather than run from it. When I held my son for the first time, I knew everything in my life had changed. While most of my classmates were thinking about graduation parties and summer plans, I was learning how to warm bottles in the middle of the night and budget for diapers. I won’t pretend I had it all figured out there were days when the weight of responsibility felt too heavy when I questioned if I was capable of providing the life he deserved. But from the very beginning, I made a promise to myself and my son: I would never give up on being the best father I could be. What made this my most significant achievement wasn’t just the act of becoming a parent it was everything that came after. I had to grow up fast. I had to learn to manage time between school, work, and co-parenting. There were early mornings, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. But with every obstacle came a lesson. I learned that discipline isn’t just about doing what’s required it’s about doing what’s necessary, even when it’s hard. I discovered that real strength isn’t loud or flashy; sometimes, it’s just the quiet decision to keep going when quitting would be easier. Becoming a father showed me what I’m capable of. It taught me how to push through when things get tough, think long-term, and make sacrifices for something greater than myself. I no longer measured success in terms of personal wins; I started seeing it in my son’s smile, his milestones, and the secure future I’m working toward for him. This experience has shaped every decision I’ve made sense. I enrolled in the mechanical engineering program at Fort Hays Tech Northwest and am preparing to transfer to Fort Hays State University to earn my bachelor’s degree. I’ve set my sights on enlisting in the U.S. Air Force after graduation to serve my country and ensure stability and substantial benefits for my son. I believe that with education and military experience, I’ll be able to create a life that reflects the values I’m teaching him: integrity, perseverance, and purpose. What I hope to achieve in the future isn’t just about career titles or salaries. I want to build a life my son can be proud of. I want to show him that setbacks don’t define you how you respond to them does. I want to be proof that even when life doesn’t go as planned, you can still choose to move forward with courage. I plan to work in a field where I can use my mechanical engineering skills to solve real-world problems, possibly in aviation or aerospace, and continue supporting my family in meaningful ways. But more than anything, I want to keep growing as a father, a student, a service member, and a person. Sometimes, achievements don’t come with medals or public recognition. Sometimes, they’re quiet victories you look in the mirror, see how far you’ve come, and know you didn’t give up. That’s the kind of achievement fatherhood has been for me. It didn’t delay my goals. It gave them a deeper purpose. And with that purpose, I’m moving forward, one step at a time, hand in hand, with the little boy who made me believe I could do anything.

I became a single father at seventeen. While most of my classmates were thinking about prom and graduation, I was learning how to soothe a newborn at 3 a.m. and juggle diaper changes between homework assignments. It wasn’t part of the plan and wasn’t easy. But becoming a dad so young and suddenly was the challenge that transformed my life. At first, the weight of responsibility felt overwhelming. I was still a kid and was now tasked with raising one. There were nights I questioned whether I’d ever be able to pursue my dreams or provide the life my son deserved. But rather than let that fear paralyze me, I used it as fuel. I committed to showing up for my son in every way possible not just as a loving parent but as a role model who would rise above adversity. Balancing school, co-parenting, and part-time work quickly taught me discipline and time management. I learned to value every spare minute, plan, and adapt when things didn’t go as expected which they often didn’t. Over time, I discovered strengths I didn’t know I had resilience, patience, and a fierce determination to create a better future for my family. That mindset carried over into my academic and career goals. I began studying mechanical engineering through Fort Hays Tech Northwest, planning to transfer to Fort Hays State University. I aim to earn my bachelor’s degree and enlist in the U.S. Air Force to provide my son with long-term stability and substantial benefits. My ultimate goal is to use my education and military experience to support my family, serve my country, and inspire my son to believe that no setback is too significant to overcome. In my journey, I’ve learned that success doesn’t always follow a straight path. Some wait years to find their “why” mine arrived wrapped in a hospital blanket. That moment forced me to grow quickly, giving my life deep meaning and direction. I’ve faced judgment, exhaustion, and uncertainty, but I’ve never lost sight of my goals. Looking back, becoming a young father could have been a setback. Instead, it became the foundation of my success. It taught me that every obstacle is an opportunity to grow, and that the most potent motivation comes not from personal ambition but from our love for those who depend on us. I didn’t lose my future through fatherhood; I found my purpose. And with that, I’m ready to keep moving forward.