Being able to pursue a dream you envision and striving for something dear to your heart is something many people aren’t able to do. Whether they are in direct control or not, the capability to achieve a dream is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That is why I count myself fortunate to be able to learn to use my abilities in a refined way. Monetary contribution to my studies will not only lighten the load of the money I must pay back but also serve as a catalyst to help me chip away at achieving my goals. As I am at the beginning of my entry into the construction field, I understand that I have a long way to go until I master my craft and become fully versatile. Studying under a master and learning the trade of thinking within and visualizing outward is priceless. Mr. Waddell is a grumpy old man, but he loves what he does and enjoys it to the fullest. He may get irritated when you ask a basic question, or any question for that matter, but then he’ll take his time and explain things slowly. One thing about Waddell is that he watches you work, identifies your inefficiencies, and aims to address them in the workshop by focusing on practice and technique. On the other hand, if you watch him quietly, you’ll see him formulating angles and positioning foundations in his mind before translating those thoughts into physical space. I want to pass on that same know-how and technique to younger people who come from the same place of scarce opportunity as I do. Showing adolescents the possibilities and encouraging them to take chances on achieving something they never thought they could do is crucial. Opening a woodworking shop in my community will help achieve these goals. It will provide a safe space for children to learn, share, and experience everything in a positive and supportive environment. Steve Francis, the legendary former NBA player, visited my school to understand what was happening in class. His end goal was to fund the opening of an Apex school in Houston to help kids stay on the right path. After speaking with him and gaining insights, I saw how the right placement of resources can make a significant difference. Being able to give back and show people what can be done inspired me to pursue opening and franchising community woodworking and household maintenance skills for underprivileged youth, giving them competence and a sense of belonging in a world that often tries to marginalize them. My father has been a carpenter for the past 50 years. My motivation to get up every morning and head to school to learn about what he does comes from watching him provide for our family. Being a firsthand beneficiary of his work was eye-opening once I understood the scope of what he did. I’ve always been kinetically adept, with excellent hand-eye coordination, great spatial awareness, good recall, and a love for numbers. Initially, I wasn’t sure if this journey would be fulfilling, but after recognizing that my skills were well-suited for carpentry, I became certain that I was pursuing something truly rewarding. I believe my drive to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes sets me apart from other candidates. Wanting to fail or even aiming to fail can be a great learning tool when dealing with conditions that change outcomes. My teachers often spoke about moving forward while remembering past mistakes. Mr. Lecator, my first teacher, used to say, "These kids don’t know the difference between a rock and a hammer when they get here." And he was right. Despite their initial lack of knowledge, these students proved themselves worthy of passing Mr. Lecator’s class through trial and error, never forgetting that the purpose of the institution is to learn and be comfortable with not always having the answers but uncomfortable with staying uneducated on the topic. Mr. Lecator taught me this, and I am confident that this character trait will lead me to bright horizons.