The trade I am pursuing is construction. I chose this path because I’ve always been interested in building things and working with my hands. Construction is a trade where I can see the results of my work come to life, whether it’s a house, a school, or a community center. I enjoy the physical aspect of the job, the teamwork it requires, and the sense of pride that comes from creating something that people will use and rely on every day. Another reason I’m drawn to construction is the variety of skills involved. From framing and drywall to concrete work and finishing touches, there’s always something new to learn. It’s a trade that offers long-term stability and growth, especially with the demand for skilled workers across the country. I know that by learning this trade, I’ll be building a strong foundation for my future—both literally and figuratively. But construction is more than just a career for me; it’s a way to give back to my community. I want to help improve neighborhoods like the one I grew up in. One day, I hope to work on building affordable housing, renovating community spaces, and maybe even starting my own construction business that hires and trains young people from my area. By learning construction, I’m not just building buildings—I’m building a better future for myself and those around me.

My name is Jayshawn McKnight, I am a senior at Inglewood High School, and I am passionate about building a better future—literally and figuratively. I plan to pursue a career in the electrical trade, not only because I’m fascinated by how things work behind the scenes, but also because I want to develop a skill that can empower me, support my family, and give back to the community that helped raise me. Growing up in Inglewood has shaped who I am today. I’ve seen both the challenges and the resilience of my community. I’ve watched neighbors help each other during hard times, and I’ve learned that strength comes from unity and hard work. From a young age, I’ve been the type of person who takes things apart just to figure out how they function, whether it was a broken radio or a flashlight that wouldn’t turn on. Over time, I realized that this curiosity could grow into a profession—one where I could be hands-on, solve problems, and make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s when I set my sights on becoming a licensed electrician. My plan to master the electrical trade begins with enrolling in a certified apprenticeship program after graduation. I want to learn from experienced professionals and gain real-world skills while also earning certifications that will make me competitive in the job market. I believe in the importance of doing things the right way—safely, skillfully, and ethically. In addition to my training, I plan to study business fundamentals so that one day I can own my own electrical company. I want to create jobs for others and give young people opportunities like the one I’m reaching for now. Giving back to my community is not just something I plan to do—it's something I feel responsible for. Once I become established in my trade, I hope to create a mentorship program for youth in Inglewood who are interested in learning a trade but may not know where to start. So many young people get overlooked simply because they don’t see a path forward. I want to be someone who shows them that path and walks it with them. Whether it’s offering internships, giving free electrical safety workshops, or volunteering my skills for community projects, I want to use my career to uplift others. In a world that often pushes college as the only path to success, I want to prove that mastering a trade is just as powerful. Tradespeople build our homes, wire our hospitals, and power our cities. By becoming an electrician, I’m not just choosing a job—I’m choosing a purpose. I want to be a part of rebuilding and upgrading Inglewood, one circuit at a time. Thank you for considering my application. With the right support, I know I can turn my passion into a profession, and my profession into progress—for myself and for my community.

My name is Jayshawn McKnight, I am a senior at Inglewood High School, and I am passionate about building a better future—literally and figuratively. I plan to pursue a career in the electrical trade, not only because I’m fascinated by how things work behind the scenes, but also because I want to develop a skill that can empower me, support my family, and give back to the community that helped raise me. Growing up in Inglewood has shaped who I am today. I’ve seen both the challenges and the resilience of my community. I’ve watched neighbors help each other during hard times, and I’ve learned that strength comes from unity and hard work. From a young age, I’ve been the type of person who takes things apart just to figure out how they function, whether it was a broken radio or a flashlight that wouldn’t turn on. Over time, I realized that this curiosity could grow into a profession—one where I could be hands-on, solve problems, and make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s when I set my sights on becoming a licensed electrician. My plan to master the electrical trade begins with enrolling in a certified apprenticeship program after graduation. I want to learn from experienced professionals and gain real-world skills while also earning certifications that will make me competitive in the job market. I believe in the importance of doing things the right way—safely, skillfully, and ethically. In addition to my training, I plan to study business fundamentals so that one day I can own my own electrical company. I want to create jobs for others and give young people opportunities like the one I’m reaching for now. Giving back to my community is not just something I plan to do—it's something I feel responsible for. Once I become established in my trade, I hope to create a mentorship program for youth in Inglewood who are interested in learning a trade but may not know where to start. So many young people get overlooked simply because they don’t see a path forward. I want to be someone who shows them that path and walks it with them. Whether it’s offering internships, giving free electrical safety workshops, or volunteering my skills for community projects, I want to use my career to uplift others. In a world that often pushes college as the only path to success, I want to prove that mastering a trade is just as powerful. Tradespeople build our homes, wire our hospitals, and power our cities. By becoming an electrician, I’m not just choosing a job—I’m choosing a purpose. I want to be a part of rebuilding and upgrading Inglewood, one circuit at a time. Thank you for considering my application. With the right support, I know I can turn my passion into a profession, and my profession into progress—for myself and for my community.

My name is Jayshawn McKnight, I am a senior at Inglewood High School, and I am passionate about building a better future—literally and figuratively. I plan to pursue a career in the electrical trade, not only because I’m fascinated by how things work behind the scenes, but also because I want to develop a skill that can empower me, support my family, and give back to the community that helped raise me. Growing up in Inglewood has shaped who I am today. I’ve seen both the challenges and the resilience of my community. I’ve watched neighbors help each other during hard times, and I’ve learned that strength comes from unity and hard work. From a young age, I’ve been the type of person who takes things apart just to figure out how they function, whether it was a broken radio or a flashlight that wouldn’t turn on. Over time, I realized that this curiosity could grow into a profession—one where I could be hands-on, solve problems, and make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s when I set my sights on becoming a licensed electrician. My plan to master the electrical trade begins with enrolling in a certified apprenticeship program after graduation. I want to learn from experienced professionals and gain real-world skills while also earning certifications that will make me competitive in the job market. I believe in the importance of doing things the right way—safely, skillfully, and ethically. In addition to my training, I plan to study business fundamentals so that one day I can own my own electrical company. I want to create jobs for others and give young people opportunities like the one I’m reaching for now. Giving back to my community is not just something I plan to do—it's something I feel responsible for. Once I become established in my trade, I hope to create a mentorship program for youth in Inglewood who are interested in learning a trade but may not know where to start. So many young people get overlooked simply because they don’t see a path forward. I want to be someone who shows them that path and walks it with them. Whether it’s offering internships, giving free electrical safety workshops, or volunteering my skills for community projects, I want to use my career to uplift others. In a world that often pushes college as the only path to success, I want to prove that mastering a trade is just as powerful. Tradespeople build our homes, wire our hospitals, and power our cities. By becoming an electrician, I’m not just choosing a job—I’m choosing a purpose. I want to be a part of rebuilding and upgrading Inglewood, one circuit at a time. Thank you for considering my application. With the right support, I know I can turn my passion into a profession, and my profession into progress—for myself and for my community.

My name is Jayshawn McKnight, I am a senior at Inglewood High School, and I am passionate about building a better future—literally and figuratively. I plan to pursue a career in the electrical trade, not only because I’m fascinated by how things work behind the scenes, but also because I want to develop a skill that can empower me, support my family, and give back to the community that helped raise me. Growing up in Inglewood has shaped who I am today. I’ve seen both the challenges and the resilience of my community. I’ve watched neighbors help each other during hard times, and I’ve learned that strength comes from unity and hard work. From a young age, I’ve been the type of person who takes things apart just to figure out how they function, whether it was a broken radio or a flashlight that wouldn’t turn on. Over time, I realized that this curiosity could grow into a profession—one where I could be hands-on, solve problems, and make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s when I set my sights on becoming a licensed electrician. My plan to master the electrical trade begins with enrolling in a certified apprenticeship program after graduation. I want to learn from experienced professionals and gain real-world skills while also earning certifications that will make me competitive in the job market. I believe in the importance of doing things the right way—safely, skillfully, and ethically. In addition to my training, I plan to study business fundamentals so that one day I can own my own electrical company. I want to create jobs for others and give young people opportunities like the one I’m reaching for now. Giving back to my community is not just something I plan to do—it's something I feel responsible for. Once I become established in my trade, I hope to create a mentorship program for youth in Inglewood who are interested in learning a trade but may not know where to start. So many young people get overlooked simply because they don’t see a path forward. I want to be someone who shows them that path and walks it with them. Whether it’s offering internships, giving free electrical safety workshops, or volunteering my skills for community projects, I want to use my career to uplift others. In a world that often pushes college as the only path to success, I want to prove that mastering a trade is just as powerful. Tradespeople build our homes, wire our hospitals, and power our cities. By becoming an electrician, I’m not just choosing a job—I’m choosing a purpose. I want to be a part of rebuilding and upgrading Inglewood, one circuit at a time. Thank you for considering my application. With the right support, I know I can turn my passion into a profession, and my profession into progress—for myself and for my community.

My name is Jayshawn McKnight, and I am a senior at Inglewood High School. Growing up in Inglewood has shaped my character in many ways—it's a city full of potential, resilience, and hardworking people. As I prepare to graduate, I am more focused than ever on building a future for myself and creating opportunities for those around me. I believe that learning a skilled trade is one of the most powerful ways to accomplish that. The trade I plan to pursue is electrical work. I've always been curious about how things function behind the scenes—how power flows through buildings, how lights turn on, and how technology operates. That curiosity led me to explore careers in the electrical field. Not only is it a high-demand trade that offers stability and good pay, but it also allows for constant learning and growth. Electricians play a vital role in building and maintaining our infrastructure, and I’m excited by the idea of being part of something so essential. To master this trade, I plan to enroll in a certified electrician training program after graduation. I’m looking into both union apprenticeships and local trade schools that offer hands-on experience and classroom instruction. I believe in learning by doing, so an apprenticeship would be ideal. It would give me the chance to work under experienced electricians, gain real-world knowledge, and earn while I learn. I'm also committed to studying electrical codes, safety protocols, and the latest technologies in the field so that I can become a well-rounded, licensed professional. But for me, it’s not just about building a career—it's about giving back. Inglewood is a city that has given me a lot, and I want to return the favor. Once I’ve gained experience and become established in the trade, I plan to offer free or low-cost electrical services to families and elderly residents who might not be able to afford them otherwise. Whether it's rewiring a home for safety or installing energy-efficient lighting to help reduce utility bills, I want to use my skills to make a difference. I also want to mentor young people in my community. I know firsthand how easy it is to feel lost or unsure of your path after high school, especially if college doesn’t feel like the right fit. I want to be a voice that says, “Trades are a smart choice. You can build a great life doing work that matters.” Whether through school visits, workshops, or internships, I hope to create opportunities for others to see the value in skilled labor and find pride in working with their hands. In conclusion, I am Jayshawn McKnight, a young man with a strong drive to learn, grow, and give back. I’m choosing the path of a tradesman not just to secure my future, but to help power my community—literally and figuratively. Through hard work, continuous learning, and a commitment to service, I believe I can master the electrical trade and light the way for others.

My name is Jayshawn McKnight, and I have a deep passion for learning, leadership, and community growth. I believe education is one of the most powerful ways to create a better future—not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us. My goal is to become an educator who not only teaches but inspires and empowers students to believe in their own potential and make a difference in the world. Growing up, I had teachers who went beyond the classroom to show they cared about their students’ futures. That meant a lot to me, and it left a lasting impact. I want to be that kind of teacher—someone who makes students feel seen, heard, and encouraged to dream big. I know from personal experience how much it matters to have someone believe in you. As a future educator, I plan to build strong, supportive relationships with my students, help them set goals, and give them the tools to succeed in and outside the classroom. I also believe in the importance of making education relatable and meaningful. I want to create lessons that connect to students’ real lives, their interests, and the issues they care about. Whether it’s through literature, history, science, or art, I plan to show students how learning can help them understand the world and discover their purpose. I want to help students develop critical thinking, creativity, and confidence—skills that will help them succeed in any path they choose. In addition to teaching, I want to give back to my community. I plan to get involved in after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, and outreach events that support youth development. I also want to advocate for equal access to quality education, especially for students in underserved areas. I believe all students, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Being an educator is about more than just delivering lessons—it's about shaping lives. My mission is to uplift, motivate, and inspire the next generation to chase their dreams and become leaders of change. Through patience, passion, and purpose, I hope to leave a positive mark on every student I meet. In the end, I want my career to be a reflection of my commitment to making the world a better place—one classroom, one student, and one lesson at a time. Thank you so much for your time you have given me, and it has made a significant difference. Your generosity means a lot, and I am grateful for this opportunity. Sincerely, Jayshawn McKnight