When I was younger, my family lost heat in the middle of winter because we couldn’t afford the bill. I’ll never forget how cold the house felt, or how helpless it seemed at the time. My mom worked so hard as a single parent, with help from my grandparents, but moments like that made me realize how important reliable heating and cooling really are. That experience is what planted the idea that I wanted to work in HVAC. I wanted to make sure other families never had to feel that way- cold, scared, or powerless. Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’m the first in my family to go to college, so I’ve had to figure out everything from financial aid, to scheduling on my own. Money is always tight, and after a car accident, I had to adjust to a broken jaw and challenges with focus and memory. Still, I kept going. I leaned on my strengths, built better study habits, and reminded myself why I started this journey in the first place. During my classes and internship, I found out that HVAC is so much bigger than I thought. It’s not just about keeping the heat on, it’s about schools running smoothly, hospitals staying safe, and families being comfortable in their homes. I’ve grown really interested in controls and integration, where I can connect my hands-on trade knowledge with the bigger picture of design and efficiency. That’s where I see my career heading, and I’m excited to keep learning. My goals are simple but meaningful: finish my degree, grow into an HVAC design and controls role, and mentor others who are just starting out. I want to show people from backgrounds like mine that it’s possible to build a successful, meaningful career in the trades. This scholarship would make a huge difference for me. It would ease some of the financial stress and give me more space to focus on learning. More than that, it would help me keep building a future where I can use my skills to give back through work that really matters. I’m proud of where I’ve come from, and I’m even more excited about where I’m going.

I was raised in a home built on love, sacrifice, and resourcefulness. My mom did everything she could to support my sister and me, and my grandparents helped raise us too. I grew up helping care for my little sister, learning to cook, manage money, and solve problems before I ever thought about careers or college. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to carry weight and how to keep going. One winter, our heat went out. We couldn’t afford to fix it, so we bundled up and got through it together. That memory has never left me. Not just because it was cold, but because I realized how essential tradespeople are. The person who shows up to fix a furnace isn’t just doing a job; they’re restoring safety and dignity to a home. That’s the kind of work I wanted to do. I chose HVAC because I saw how much it matters. I earned my two-year degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude, but that accomplishment came during one of the hardest seasons of my life. Just before graduation, I was in a serious car accident. I broke my jaw and several teeth; some of which are still broken today, because I can’t afford to fix them yet. I’m thankful they’re in the back, where you can’t see them when I smile. But they’re there, and they’re a reminder of what I’ve overcome. Now, I’m continuing my education in HVAC engineering. I’m interning at a company that helps public schools improve their building systems, and I’ve developed a passion for automation, controls, and energy efficiency. I hope to become a Certified Energy Manager and lead large-scale projects that save schools money and improve comfort for students and staff. At the same time, I manage life entirely on my own. I pay a mortgage and utilities, care for my dogs, and handle school and work without a safety net. Right now, my oven and stovetop are both broken, I cook all my meals using a microwave and a single plug-in burner. It’s far from ideal, but it’s what I have. And that’s been my life - taking what I have and making it work. There have been times I’ve felt completely worn down. Times I’ve wondered how I’m going to keep up financially, emotionally, physically. But I haven’t given up. I keep going because I believe in what I’m working toward, a career that serves people. A life that gives back. I want to mentor other young people in the trades. I want to help families like mine feel safe and confident in their homes. And I want to use my knowledge to make buildings more efficient, affordable, and comfortable for those who need it most. This scholarship wouldn’t just help with expenses, it would be a powerful reminder that my story matters. Like Henry and Cornelia Ritter, I believe in humility, hard work, and building a life that lifts others. I don’t want to be known for what I’ve been through. I want to be remembered for what I helped build, despite it.

What trade are you pursuing and why are you passionate about it? I am pursuing a career in HVAC/R Engineering because I know firsthand how important heating and cooling systems are to safety and quality of life. When I was a teenager, our furnace broke during a brutal Michigan winter. Watching my mom scramble to keep our home warm was a defining moment. I wanted to learn how to fix that kind of problem; not just for us, but for others who were silently struggling. Since then, I started with hands-on training towards this trade, and am now working on the engineering side so I can take what I’ve learned and apply it on a bigger scale. I want to design smarter, more efficient solutions that serve people and communities who need them most. My passion comes from personal experience and believing that everyone deserves to live in a safe, functional home, no matter their income level. What are your future plans after your trade education? I want to work as a systems designer or engineer. My goal is to focus on smart, energy-efficient HVAC systems that make a real difference for people who live paycheck to paycheck. I would like to work with nonprofit organizations that offer affordable heating and cooling solutions to low-income families. I believe skilled trades are a powerful way to serve people directly. I see myself using my hands and knowledge to make real, lasting impacts. I also want to help the people who don’t think they “fit” the mold, see that they belong in this industry too. Especially women or students who have been through tough times. It is hard to keep pushing when everything feels like it is working against you, and I want to be the person who shows others that success is still possible. Describe a time in your life when you overcame adversity. How did you work through it? Adversity has shown up in my life more times than I can count. I was raised by a single mom, and money was always tight. Last year a tornado damaged my mother’s trailer, and I took on the responsibility of buying a fixer-upper to give us a new home. My house had partial running water, no insulation, and no working refrigerator. At the same time, I was working and going to school. It was overwhelming, but I just kept going. I've chipped away at house repairs and stayed focused on school, even when money was tight and time was tighter. Then, I was in a serious accident. I ended up with a broken jaw, several broken teeth, and a long road to recovery. I did not suffer a brain injury, but I began noticing new struggles. My focus faded more quickly. Retaining information took extra effort. Learning, something that once came naturally, now requires new strategies and patience. I haven't given up. I show up for class. I do the work, even when it takes me twice as long. I reach out for help, built new habits, and refused to let this setback define me. I worked through adversity by refusing to quit. I believe in the trades because they CHANGE lives. I have lived that truth. I have fixed broken things - houses, grades and confidence with my own two hands. I carry the same grit your scholarship honors. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I’ve learned how to keep moving no matter what life throws at me. I’m not just in the trades for a paycheck. I’m in it to make a difference

I am passionate about pursuing a career in HVAC/R, and I am continuing my education to expand into the engineering side of the field. For me, this trade is more than a career; it is a personal mission shaped by hardship, resilience, and a deep desire to give others the help I once needed. When I was a teenager, our furnace broke during a bitter Michigan winter. We did not have the money to fix it. I watched my mom, a single parent, do everything she could to keep us warm with space heaters and boiling water. We wore coats inside and huddled under blankets at night. That moment stayed with me. It made me want to understand the systems that provide comfort and safety, and more importantly, learn how to fix them when others cannot afford to call for help. That experience was the beginning, but life kept reinforcing my path. I lost my job during the COVID pandemic and shortly after, survived an accident that left me with a broken jaw, cognitive issues, and PTSD. I was supposed to graduate in 2023, but the accident delayed everything. I had to relearn how to learn. Studying became harder, slower, and more mentally exhausting — but I did not quit. I kept showing up, and eventually graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. A yeaer later, a tornado damaged my mother’s trailer. I stepped up and bought a small, rundown home so we would have a place to live. It had partial working plumbing, no insulation, and no refrigerator. While going to school full time, I have been repairing it piece by piece, teaching myself along the way. That experience made my training feel even more real. I was not just learning the trade in theory. I was living it. My goal is to become a Certified Energy Manager so I can work on HVAC systems that improve energy efficiency and lower utility costs for homes, schools, and small businesses. I want to take the hands-on knowledge I’ve gained and apply it to designing systems that make life better for people; especially those in underserved communities who cannot afford high energy bills or constant repairs. But beyond my own career, I am committed to giving back. I plan to offer affordable or free HVAC services to seniors, and low-income families. I also want to mentor students, especially women and first-generation college students who may feel like the trades are not for them. If I can be an example of what perseverance looks like, and show others that it is never too late to build something new, then I will have honored the path that brought me here. Calvin Donelson believed in turning passion into purpose and skill into legacy. That resonates deeply with me. Like him, I have had to rely on creativity, determination, and sheer will to keep moving forward. I am not just working toward a license or a job title. I am working toward a future where my trade allows me to help people, provide for my family, and leave something meaningful behind. This scholarship would be more than financial relief. It would be a show of support for everything I have fought through and everything I am still building. With it, I can stay focused, stay on track, and keep using my skills to create warmth, stability, and opportunity for others.

My name is Jacqueline, and I am pursuing a career in HVAC/R with plans to move into the engineering side of the field. This work became part of my life long before it became my career path. I grew up in a single-parent household, and when our furnace broke during a harsh Michigan winter, we could not afford to fix it. My mom did everything she could to keep us warm. That experience left a deep mark on me. I knew I wanted to be the kind of person who shows up for families like mine; someone who understands how urgent, personal, and life-changing this work really is. Today, I am continuing my training in HVAC/R while expanding into energy systems and engineering. I recently graduated with honors, earning a 4.0 GPA despite having to pause my education after a serious accident. That accident left me with a broken jaw, cognitive issues, and PTSD. Learning has become harder since then. I now process things more slowly and have to put in more time and focus than I used to. But I did not give up. I adapted and kept pushing forward. At the same time, a tornado damaged the trailer my mom was living in. I stepped in, bought a rundown home, and took on the responsibility of fixing it while continuing school. It had partial working plumbing, no insulation, and no refrigerator. I taught myself through trial and error, repairing, replacing, and learning hands-on. This experience has been overwhelming, but it's made me realize I am capable of so much more than I thought. To master my trade, I am continuing my education on the engineering side of HVAC/R with the goal of becoming a Certified Energy Manager. I want to work on designing efficient systems that reduce utility costs and make heating and cooling more affordable, especially for low-income families. But more than that, I want to keep learning, working in the field, and earning certifications that reflect real experience, not just credentials. Giving back to my community is something I feel deeply called to do. I plan to offer free or low-cost HVAC services to seniors, and low-income households; people who, like us, might otherwise go without heat in the winter. I also want to mentor students who feel like they do not belong in the trades, especially women and first-generation students. If I can be proof that it is never too late, that you do not have to be perfect, and that real success comes from showing up and working hard, I will consider that a win. This career is more than a job for me. It is personal. I know what it feels like to be cold in your own home, to feel overwhelmed by bills, and to rebuild your life from scratch. That is why I chose the trades; because this work can change lives. It changed mine, and I intend to use it to help change someone else’s.

My goals in the trades are rooted in survival, growth, and the determination to turn hardship into purpose. I did not come into this field because it looked easy or convenient. I came into it because I needed to build a future for myself and my family; one that offered stability, skill, and the ability to help others facing situations like the ones I have lived through. I began my education in HVAC/R because of a personal experience that left a lasting impact on me. During a harsh Michigan winter, our furnace broke, and I watched my mom do everything she could to keep us warm. We did not have the resources to fix it, and that helpless feeling stuck with me. It inspired me to learn how to fix the very problems that once left my family cold. That moment became the reason I chose this path. I recently completed my two-year trades degree, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. That accomplishment meant more than a diploma; it was proof that I could push through, even with all the challenges that came my way. I was supposed to graduate earlier, but a serious car accident left me with a broken jaw, memory issues, and PTSD. It delayed my education and changed how I process and retain information. I now learn slower, and studying requires more time and mental energy than it did before. But I kept going. I adjusted, found new strategies to succeed, and refused to give up. Around the same time, a tornado destroyed the trailer my mom was living in. I took on the responsibility of finding us a place to live, and I purchased a rundown house that lacked insulation, I had no working refrigerator, and had partial running water when I moved in. While going to school and working, I’ve been slowly fixing the house. These circumstances were never easy, but they pushed me further into the trades. I realized I was learning through real work, not just for a grade, but for survival. Now, I am continuing my education on the engineering side of my field. I want to deepen my understanding of HVAC/R systems so I can move beyond repair work and into design, energy efficiency, and long-term solutions. I plan to become a Certified Energy Manager and work on systems that help families save money and stay safe in their homes. My goal is to bridge the gap between hands-on technical work and system-level engineering decisions that directly affect how people live. This scholarship would significantly ease the pressure I’m under. After covering monthly bills, I often have nothing left. Tuition, home repairs, and basic living costs stretch every dollar I have. I’ve taken on a lot of responsibility not just for my education, but for providing a stable home for my mom and I. Any financial support I receive allows me to stay focused on my studies and progress toward my career goals without falling behind or taking on additional debt. But this scholarship is not just about paying for school. It’s about helping me stay on the path I’ve fought so hard to stay on. I’ve overcome physical injury, financial strain, academic challenges, and housing instability to get to this point. I’m not looking for a handout. I’m looking for the opportunity to finish what I started; to turn all of these struggles into something that matters. My ultimate aspiration is to use my skills in the trades not just to earn a living, but to serve people. I want to help families like mine. The ones who are doing everything they can, but still fall through the cracks. Whether it’s installing energy-efficient systems or showing someone how to maintain their heating unit during winter, I want to be the person who shows up, gets it done, and makes life a little easier for someone else. This scholarship would not only support my goals, it would validate the journey it took to get here.

I chose to pursue a career in the trades because I wanted to build a life with stability, purpose, and service. After growing up in a low-income household and experiencing firsthand what it means to live without the basics, I knew I wanted to be someone who could fix the systems people rely on. When our furnace broke during a freezing Michigan winter, we had no way to repair it. My mom did her best with space heaters and boiling water on the stove, but we spent some time in the cold. That experience stuck with me. I knew then that I wanted to learn how to repair what mattered most. I earned my two-year degree in HVAC/R Engineering Technology and graduated Summa Cum Laude. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. But the journey was anything but easy. I lost my job during the pandemic. I survived a severe accident that broke my jaw and left me with cognitive challenges that still affect my memory and focus. I was supposed to graduate in 2023, but the accident delayed everything. Even so, I adapted, pushed through, and returned stronger; committed to finishing what I started. I balanced school, work, and full-time responsibilities at home while recovering and relearning how to learn. That next year, a tornado damaged my mother’s trailer, the only home she had. I used what little I had to buy a fixer-upper with no insulation, no refrigerator, and no working bathroom plumbing. I am trying to do repairs myself, learning as I go. That hands-on experience confirmed that I was in the right field. The work is tough, but it's made me feel empowered. I see how tradespeople quietly hold up entire communities, and I am proud to be one of them. Now that I have completed my two-year degree, I am continuing my education on the engineering side of the HVAC field. I want to take what I have learned in the trades and go deeper; to design smarter systems, improve energy efficiency, and create affordable, sustainable solutions for families and businesses. My long-term goal is to become a Certified Energy Manager and lead projects that make heating and cooling more accessible, especially in underserved communities. The trades gave me a strong foundation. Engineering will help me expand my reach. But at the core of everything I do is a deep commitment to helping others. I care most about social issues tied to housing access, energy equity, and education. I know what it feels like to go without heat, without security, and without support. That is why I want to use my skills not just to earn a living, but to make a difference. I plan to offer discounted or free HVAC services to seniors, and low-income families. I also want to mentor trade school and engineering students, especially women and first-generation students, and help them find their place in this field. I believe everyone deserves a safe, comfortable place to live, and that those who build and protect those spaces deserve to be respected. Slater Miller stood for helping others and standing up for what is right. I may not have known him, but I share those values. I hope to carry them forward in my work, one repair, one project, and one person at a time.

When our furnace broke during a Michigan winter, I saw my mom boiling water on the stove just to warm up one room. We could not afford repairs, and I remember sitting under layers of blankets thinking, there has to be a better way. That moment planted the seed for everything I am pursuing now. I did not know it at the time, but I was learning my first lesson in engineering: how critical it is to fix the systems people depend on when life gets hard. I am currently studying HVAC/R Engineering Technology with the long-term goal of becoming a Certified Energy Manager. I want to specialize in designing and improving heating and cooling systems that reduce energy waste, lower costs, and increase comfort in homes, schools, and public buildings. My dream is to help create energy-efficient solutions that serve the people who need them most. I believe engineering should be used to lift communities up, not just build new things for those who can already afford them. My journey has not been a straight line. I am returning to school after a long and difficult road. Like many I lost my job during the pandemic, then survived a serious accident that left me with a broken jaw, PTSD, and long-term cognitive effects that made learning harder. I struggle with memory and focus, and I was originally on track to graduate in 2023. That timeline changed because of the accident. I kept pushing forward and earned my associate degree Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA while juggling work, school, and caring for my family. When a tornado damaged my mother’s trailer, I bought a fixer-upper home with what little I had. It had partial running water, no fridge, and no insulation. I started repairing it while attending school full time. I did not know what I was doing at first, I still don't, but I've taught myself, made mistakes, learned fast, and keep going. This experience confirmed I was meant for hands-on work that improves people’s lives. The values that drive me are service, persistence, and empathy. I know what it feels like to go without, to be scared and overwhelmed, and to feel like you are falling behind. That is why I want to use my skills to help others. I plan to volunteer HVAC services for low-income families and seniors who cannot afford repairs. I also hope to mentor students who do not see themselves in engineering yet. First-generation students, women, people with learning challenges or difficult pasts need to know they belong in this field too. I am passionate about solving real-world problems. I take pride in the fact that engineering is not just about math and machines. It is about people. It is about making things work better, safer, and more efficiently for everyone, not just those with money or connections. I want to be the kind of engineer who brings skill and compassion to every job, who shows up when things go wrong, and who builds systems that support people’s daily lives. This scholarship would help me afford the rest of my education and ease the pressure I feel trying to do it all alone. More than that, it would show me that someone sees the value in where I come from and where I am going.

The day our furnace broke in the middle of a Michigan winter changed everything for me. I was a teenager, and my mom was doing everything she could to keep us warm. Space heaters, boiled water, layers of blankets; but the cold kept creeping in. I remember wishing I knew how to fix it. That moment was the first time I saw how tradespeople truly keep families safe and homes running. I did not know it yet, but that day planted the seed for what would become my future in HVAC/R. I am not taking the traditional path in education. I am a full-time student, switching careers while managing school, work, two dogs, and a house I bought after a tornado damanged my mother’s trailer. The home I purchased had partial running water, no insulation, and no working fridge. I took it on out of necessity, but fixing it myself, bit by bit, is what made me realize I was exactly where I belonged. Hands-on work gave me control in a time when I had none. It also gave me purpose. Before this, I lost my job during COVID. Not long after, I was in a serious accident that broke my jaw and left me with lasting injuries. I was supposed to graduate in 2023, but the accident delayed everything. I had to relearn how to learn. I now struggle with memory, focus, and PTSD, but I kept going. I developed new ways to study, new ways to stay organized, and I fought to hold onto the goals I had set. I still earned my associate degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. Every bit of that took extra effort, but it was worth it. I chose HVAC/R because it solves real problems. Heating and cooling are not luxuries. They are essential. For low-income families, for seniors, for people in older homes, a functioning HVAC system can be the difference between safety and danger. I want to be the person who shows up when that system fails, not just to fix the equipment, but to give people peace of mind. That is the kind of work I want to do for the rest of my life. This is not just a job to me. I believe in blue collar work, in building something that lasts, and in knowing how to use your hands and your brain to get things done. I plan to earn my Certified Energy Manager credential so I can help families and small businesses reduce energy costs and improve system performance. I also want to give back through mentorship. Too many young people think college is the only option. I want to show them that a trade can offer stability, pride, and purpose. Especially for first-generation students, women, or those who learn differently. I want to be proof that success can come from taking the less traditional route. I am proud of where I come from and even prouder of where I am going. This scholarship would ease the financial stress of school and help me focus fully on finishing my program strong. More importantly, it would mean that someone believes in my path; the long, hard, hands-on one. And I do not take that lightly. I do not need a title or a corner office. I just want to help people the way others once helped me, and be part of the next generation that keeps the trades alive with skill, heart, and resilience.

Growing up, I never realized how much of life revolves around heating and cooling, until we did not have it. I was a teenager in Michigan when our furnace broke during a bitter winter. My mom did everything she could: space heaters, extra blankets, even heating water on the stove. But the cold still crept in. I remember thinking, someone should know how to fix this. That moment stuck with me. I did not know it yet, but it was the beginning of my passion for HVAC/R. Today, I am pursuing a degree in HVAC/R Engineering Technology not just because I enjoy the work, but because I know what it feels like to need it. This field gives me a real way to make life better for people, to step in when systems fail and offer both solutions and peace of mind. That kind of impact matters to me. My path has not been easy. I lost my job during COVID, survived a serious accident, and still carry the effects from those injuries and PTSD. Learning is harder for me now. I have to study longer, repeat things more often, and fight through mental fatigue. Then, after a tornado damged my mothers home, I bought a run-down house with partial running water, no insulation, and no working refrigerator. While working and taking classes, I have been fixing it up myself, learning through hands-on repairs, late-night tutorials, and a lot of trial and error. It has been overwhelming, but it confirmed something important: I am built for this kind of work. I like solving real-world problems. I like using my hands and my head. And I love that in this trade, I can do meaningful work that helps people immediately. That is what makes HVAC/R special to me. It is not just a job. It is a way to serve. Looking ahead, I want to give back in ways that reflect what I have lived through. First, I plan to offer affordable or free HVAC services to low-income families, seniors, and others in crisis. I have been the person on the receiving end of help, and now I want to be the one giving it. Whether it is fixing a broken furnace in the middle of winter or improving air quality in someone’s home, I want to show up for people who need it most. I also plan to mentor young adults who may feel like college is out of reach or that trades are not a respected option. I want to be a visible example of what is possible when you do not give up. Especially for first-generation students or those with learning challenges, it can mean everything to see someone who understands their struggle and made it through. Eventually, I hope to earn my Certified Energy Manager credential and work on energy-efficient projects that make homes and small businesses more affordable to heat and cool. Lowering utility bills is not just good for the environment. It is good for families who are trying to stretch every dollar. I am passionate about HVAC/R because it is personal. It is a trade that changed my life, and one that I believe can change others' lives too. I have overcome a lot to get here, but I am not done yet. I am committed to learning, working, and giving back, one repair at a time.

After a serious accident, everything about learning became harder. I broke my jaw and suffered a head injury that's left lasting effects on how I process information. I now learn more slowly, struggle with memory and concentration, and often deal with mental fatigue. It also created a PTSD, which affects my focus and makes some situations more difficult to manage. Despite these challenges, I have stayed committed to my education and to building a career in STEM. The accident happened during an already difficult time in my life. Like many, I lost my job during the pandemic, and shortly after, a tornado damaged my mothers home. I took on the responsibility of purchasing a small fixer-upper for us to live in. The house had partial running water, no insulation, and no working refrigerator. I began repairing it while managing full-time classes and working 2-3 jobs. At times, it felt like everything was falling apart around me. Learning has become more challenging than it ever was before. I have to read the same material several times to understand it. I forget things more easily and have to take extra steps just to stay organized and on top of my assignments. On tough days, my mind feels cloudy, and I get frustrated trying to keep up with everything. PTSD adds another layer of difficulty. Loud noises or stressful moments can trigger anxiety or emotional responses that are hard to control. Still, I push through. Even with these obstacles, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA and earned my associate degree. It was not easy, but I stayed focused on my goals and found ways to adapt. I use calendars, visual aids, closed captions and repetition to help me stay on track with my learning. I created a study routine that worked for me and ask for help when I need it. These adjustments have made it possible for me to keep going. I chose HVAC/R Engineering Technology because I want to help people who are facing the same struggles I once did. I remember the winter our furnace broke and how my mother did everything she could to keep us warm. I want to be the person who can fix that kind of problem for someone else. Heating and cooling systems are more than just machines. For many families, they are the difference between comfort and crisis. I want to use my skills to make homes safer, more efficient, and more affordable to live in. Eventually, I plan to earn my Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credential so I can take on bigger projects and help businesses and homeowners lower their energy costs. I believe there is real power in using STEM skills to solve problems that matter in everyday life. My long-term goal is to build a career where I can use those skills to improve lives, especially for families in under-resourced communities. Everything I have accomplished so far has required determination, patience, and a willingness to keep moving forward, even when things feel impossible. I know what it feels like to want to give up, but I also know what it feels like to keep going and see progress. I learn differently now. I may have to try harder than others. But I am not less capable. I am more determined than ever to finish what I started and to use my experiences to lift others up. My journey has not been easy, but it has made me stronger, more focused, and more committed to creating a better future through hard work, resilience, and a career in STEM.

My lifelong passion for makeup, which began at the tender age of 7, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the transformative power of beauty. As a young child experimenting with different colors and techniques, I discovered the incredible ability of makeup to enhance one's features, boost confidence, and express individuality. This early exposure ignited a creative spark within me that only grew stronger over the years. Throughout my life, my passion for the beauty industry has been a driving force, igniting my creativity and fueling my desire to empower women. However, it was the transformative journey of recovering from a devastating accident, that profoundly influenced my perspective on beauty and self-confidence. The accident I experienced, which resulted in a broken jaw, a bone injury in my skull, and the loss and damage to several teeth, was a significant turning point in my life. Facing the physical and emotional aftermath of my accident was an arduous journey, requiring immense resilience and self-discovery. Throughout the healing process, I encountered physical pain, emotional challenges, and a loss of self-esteem. However, I refused to let these setbacks define me. With unwavering determination and the support of loved ones, I embarked on a journey of resilience, taking proactive steps to regain my physical and emotional well-being. As I gradually recovered and attempted to restore my self-confidence, I turned to what I have always known: the world of beauty! Through makeup and skincare, I found solace and a sense of empowerment. The act of applying makeup became more than just enhancing my features; it became a therapeutic and transformative experience. I realized that beauty extends far beyond the surface; it has the power to heal and restore, allowing women to embrace their unique qualities and feel confident in their skin. My journey of healing deepened my empathy for women facing physical challenges or insecurities. I became acutely aware of the emotional impact that physical changes can have on one's self-esteem. This propelled me to connect with others on a deeper level, offering support, compassion, and guidance. I recognized my potential to utilize my skills and passion in the beauty industry to make a tangible difference in people's lives. I am driven to create a safe and inclusive space where women can embrace their inner beauty, regardless of physical appearance or societal standards. My future within the beauty industry is not solely focused on external transformations but rather on nurturing individuals' self-confidence and overall well-being. Through makeup artistry, skincare expertise, and a genuine commitment to understanding their needs, I aim to create meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging. I regard myself as an unshakable, persistent individual, college student, and employee. Despite these difficult situations and feeling like all odds were against me, I have clung tenaciously to my dreams. With unwavering commitment and dedication, I am poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-love, through the realm of beauty. Even though this journey has been very challenging and has led to the most difficult experiences of my life, it has been a great reminder to myself to always persevere, always do my best, and to never give up. I have realized that no vision is out of reach, it is never too late to pursue your dreams, and I know that if I can do it, anyone can!