Growing up, i always wondered how the invisible currents running behind our walls safely powered everything we use every day. That early curiosity eventually turned into a clear calling becoming a licensed electrician. Right now, studying at Perry Tech institute, I'm deep in the trenches with the trade, learning everything from circuit theory and precise wire sizing calculations to the ins and outs of the National Electrical Code and Washington Administrative Code standards. To me, electrical work isn't just a job its a craft built on precision safety and taking care of people around you. Going through an intense technical program takes a lot of time and focus, and the expenses add up fast. This scholarship would take a huge weight off my shoulders by helping cover tuition, code books, and specialized manuals. More than that, stepping into the trade means investing in professional grade tools, testers, and personal protective equipment. Having reliable, high-quality gear doesn't just make hobs go smoother its crucial for doing things the right way like following safe on every job site. Good electrical infrastructure keeps our society running, but safe, up to code work isn't always easy or affordable for everyone. I want to use what i learn to give back by volunteering my time for local safety checks, helping neighbors or families un need fix hazardous wiring, and making sure homes are safe from electrical fires. Inside the trade, i want to help foster a culture of strict safety compliance. By sharing what i know with future apprentices and helping them master code standards and proper circuit protection, i hope to play a part in raising the bar for our entire profession. What keeps me motivated every single day is a deep respect for how electricity safely powers our lives, combined with a strong sense of responsibility. Working through complex schematics, tracking down tricky faults, and studying rules designed to protect lives and property genuinely excites me. Knowing that a properly wired panel or a thoroughly tested circuit gives a family or a local business peace of mind is what pushes me to study hard and master every detail of this trade. What sets me apart is my relentless focus on safely, technical accuracy, and continuous learning. I don't treat electrical work as just physical labor, i treat it as a science that requires a deep respect for regulations, math, and risk prevention. Whether I'm writing safety memos on hazard control or diving headfirst into NEC code rules, I approach every obstacle with a problem solving mindset. I'm fully committed to becoming the kind of electrician people can trust implicitly someone who puts safety first and leaves every single site safer than when they arrived.

Every time i trace a circuit diagram, check a wire layout, or sit through a long lecture at Perry Technical Institute, I'm reminded that electricity is what literally keeps the lights on and modern life moving. Choosing to become an electrician wasn't just about choosing hands-on work that actually matters. Power is the invisible backbone of our daily routines, and i wanted a career where i could understand how it works, respect its risks, and build something lasting with my hands. Right now, my main goal is to get the most out of my time at Perry Tech. The electrical trade doesn't leave room for guesswork, whether you're calculating precise wire sizing, navigating strict National Electrical Code standards, or troubleshooting complex panels. I'm focusing heavily on mastering both theory and the practical, hands-on side of things so that when i graduate and step onto a job site as an apprentice, I'm ready to hit the ground running. My immediate goal is to earn my hours, learn from experienced journeymen who have been in the trenches, and build a reputation as someone who values safety and precision above all else. Looking further ahead, my aspirations go beyond just pulling wire day-to-day. As technology, smart systems, and modern energy codes continue to evolve, I want to stay at the cutting edge of the trade. Eventually, i hope to step into leadership or supervisory roles where i can help manage complex installations and mentor the next wave of apprentices coming up behind me. I want to be the kind of tradesperson who can keep a cool head under pressure, solve tough diagnostic problems, and foster strong culture of safety on every site i work on. Of course, getting there comes with its financial hurdles. Balancing intensive coursework, tools, safety gear, and daily living expenses isn't east, and like a lot of trade students, I've had to juggle hours outside of class just to keep things moving forward. Receiving the Track to the Trades scholarship would take a massive weight off my shoulders. It would give me the breathing room to focus less on financial stress and more entirely on my studies, my lab work, and mastering my craft. Beyond my own career goals, I want to use my trade to help take care of my family and community. having my mother live in Walla Walla has taught me me how important it is to keep homes safe, reliable, and up to code as they age. Too many people face stressful electrical issues without knowing who to trust, and i want to be the kind of skilled tradesperson they can rely on knowing that my hands-on training directly protects the people i care about gives me on extra layer of drive every single day. The financial help, getting a nod of support from an organization like SupplyHouse means a lot. Its a reminder that people outside the classroom believe in the future of the skilled trades and the people building them. With this scholarship behind me, I'm ready to keep pushing forward, earn my credentials, and spend my career safely and reliably powering the communities around us.

My name is Jesus Gonzalez and I am currently attending Perry Tech Institute, growing up my idea was hard work came straight from watching my parents. They sacrificed a lot to move here and give our family a real shot at a stable life, and seeing their grit made me want to build a future i could be proud of. When i started thinking about careers, i knew right away that a desk job wasn't for me. I wanted to be on my feet, working with my hands, and tackling real-world problems where i could see the results of my labor at the end of the day. That drive is exactly what brought me to Perry Technical Institute to become an electrician. To me, electrical work is the perfect mic of brainpower and physical skill. Electricity is basically the invisible backbone of everything around us-it keeps our homes running, powers major industries, and keeps communities connected. Getting into the details of the NEC short for (National Electrical Code), figuring out how complex circuits function, and learning the precision it takes to do a job safely is genuinely exciting to me. There is nothing quite like looking at a blueprint, running the conduit, wiring a system from scratch in our labs, and flipping the switch to watch a space light up. The trades offer a level of independence and constant learning that you just cant find anywhere else. By training to be an electrician, I am building a lifelong skill set that lets me protect and build up the community around me. Being in trade school and seeing how much hard work goes into this field has also shaped the social causes I care about. First and foremost, i want to see more support for trade education and less of stigma around blue-collar work. For a long time traditional four year colleges have been pushed as the only real way to make something of yourself, which leaves a lot of smart, capable people feeling left out if they don't thrive in a regular classroom. I care about this because i see every day how learning a trades gives people massive self-confidence and financial stability. I want to advocate for better funding for vocational programs so students from low-income backgrounds know that a highly skilled, successful life in the trade is a wide open path for them. At the same time, because this line of work is so demanding, i care deeply about mental health awareness in the trades. Blue-collar culture has historically been a "tough it out" environment where asking for help or admitting you're struggling is seen as a weakness. That mindset leaves a lot of guys dealing with stress or depression completely isolated. On a job site, physical safety is everything, but i believe mental well-being is just as important. Opening up conversations and getting resources to opening up conversations and getting resources to workers is crucial if we want people to live healthy, sustainable lives on and off the clock. Choosing that electrical trade is my way of making good on the sacrifices my parents made while carving out my own path. Winning the Slater Miller Memorial Scholarship would take a massive financial weight off my shoulders while finish my training at Perry Tech. My name is Jesus Gonzalez, and Im ready to put in the work to not only become a top-tier electrician but to be someone who helps pull others up in my community.