I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Eras tour in Vancouver, BC last December with my mom and my sister! While I loved every minute of the show, my favorite song of that performance was when she sang The Man from her Lover Era. I love this song because it embodies empowering confidence in women. Her lyrics encourage women to embrace their independence, drive, and leadership without apologizing for it. This song and performance also challenges stereotypes. I am going to college at Walla Walla Community College to be a certified welder so this is something that I have had to do consistently since I started my program. I hope to encourage more women to pursue the trades so that there is more diversity in male dominiated fields such as welding. I also appreciate that this song brings awareness to double standards between men and women. Her lyrics point out how behaviors are criticized in women-such as confidence, ambition, or assertiveness-but are often praised in men. By shining a light on this imbalance, it recognizes and validates women's experiences ans shows that they are not alone in noticing these inequalities. I love that Taylor uses her platform and her fame to call out inequities directly and unapologetically. This models self-advocacy for women, encouraging us to use our voices in our own lives, careers, and relationships. How lucky we are to have such an influential person who is not afraid to stand up for what is right and advocate for women. She is the epitome of strength, confidence, and advocacy.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day, I like being hands-on and staying busy. If I hadn't gotten that truck and had my dad not encouraged me to take high school welding classes, I might never have tried welding. But now, thanks to those experiences, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of making a positive impact on the welding industry. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I was very fortunate to have an amazing agriculture teacher in high school who inspired me greatly and helped me to believe in myself to go after any goals I dared to dream...such as welding, despite it being a male dominated industry! Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day, I like being hands-on and staying busy. If I hadn't gotten that truck and had my dad not encouraged me to take high school welding classes, I might never have tried welding. But now, thanks to those experiences, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of making a positive impact on the welding industry. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I was very fortunate to have an amazing agriculture teacher in high school who inspired me greatly and helped me to believe in myself to go after any goals I dared to dream...such as welding, despite it being a male dominated industry! Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day, I like being hands-on and staying busy. If I hadn't gotten that truck and had my dad not encouraged me to take high school welding classes, I might never have tried welding. But now, thanks to those experiences, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of making a difference in the welding industry. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I was very fortunate to have an amazing agriculture teacher in high school who inspired me greatly and helped me to believe in myself to go after any goals I dared to dream...such as welding, despite it being a male dominated industry! Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day, I like being hands-on and staying busy. If I hadn't gotten that truck and had my dad not encouraged me to take high school welding classes, I might never have tried welding. But now, thanks to those experiences, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I was very fortunate to have an amazing agriculture teacher in high school who inspired me greatly and helped me to believe in myself to go after any goals I dared to dream...such as welding, despite it being a male dominated industry! Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

Which trade are you going to pursue after graduation? I am pursuing a career in welding. I am beginning my third quarter at Walla Walla Community College. Why are you interested in this particular trade? My interest in welding began when I started restoring my 1940 Chevy pickup about five years ago. I initially learned to weld out of necessity, but over time, I developed a deep passion for the trade. Welding allows me to work with my hands, create something tangible, and problem-solve in unique ways. Additionally, I am motivated by the challenge of succeeding in a male-dominated industry and proving that women can thrive in this field. A person entering the trades should be able to think outside the box, be creative, and problem-solve. Give some specific examples of things you currently do or have recently done during your high school years that require these types of skills. During high school, I had to teach myself how to weld when my instructor overlooked me in class. This required a lot of trial and error, critical thinking, and persistence. I also worked on restoring my truck, which involved welding pieces onto it and problem-solving when things didn’t go as planned. Additionally, I eventually helped teach freshmen how to weld, which required me to adapt my explanations to different learning styles and find creative ways to help them improve their technique. A great applicant is someone that truly wants to enter the trades after graduation and already has a plan to achieve their goal of a career in the trades. What is your plan, and how far along are you in your plan? I am currently in my third quarter at Walla Walla Community College, working toward an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology. I am also the treasurer for the Welding Club, which allows me to network with other welders and gain leadership experience. My next steps include completing my degree, gaining certifications such as a CDL licence, and securing a job in the welding industry. I have been researching potential employers and plan to start applying for welding positions as I near graduation. If I were to call an adult in your life that knows you well, why would they recommend you to receive this scholarship? An adult who knows me well would recommend me for this scholarship because of my determination, perseverance, and passion for welding. They would highlight my ability to overcome obstacles, such as being overlooked in my high school welding class, and how I turned that challenge into motivation to improve and help others. They would also emphasize my leadership skills as the treasurer of the Welding Club and my commitment to inspiring other women to enter the trades. My work ethic, resilience, and dedication to my craft make me a strong candidate for this scholarship. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

Life presents us with countless challenges and opportunities, and how we respond to them shapes our growth and future. One of my biggest challenges in pursuing my goal of becoming a welder has been confidence. Confidence is everything in welding, especially as a female in a male-dominated trade. Without it, accomplishing our goals and aspirations becomes so much harder. Walking into a shop as the only girl is intimidating. In my experience, people have often been negative about female welders. Family, teachers, and friends have told me I should pursue a white-collar career instead. Despite these doubts, my journey into welding began unexpectedly. At 14, I got my dream truck—a 1940 Chevy pickup. Restoring that truck became my passion, but before I could begin, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces onto it. My high school welding class was not an easy experience. My instructor focused only on the boys in the class, leaving me to teach myself how to run a bead. My classmates offered no help, and I was entirely on my own. However, I refused to let that stop me. I practiced relentlessly, determined to improve. Two years later, I was not only confident in my welding skills but also teaching freshmen how to weld. Now, I am beginning my third quarter at Walla Walla Community College, pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology. I am also the treasurer for the Welding Club, actively engaging with fellow students and promoting the trade. Initially, I did not intend to become a welder, but through perseverance and confidence, I discovered a true passion. The same confidence that pushed me to learn on my own has fueled my ambition to break barriers in this field. Welding has become more than just a skill for restoring my truck—it has become a career path I am eager to pursue. Looking ahead, I plan to use my experiences to inspire other young women interested in trades. By proving that women can thrive in welding, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive industry. Confidence has been the driving force behind my journey, and it will continue to propel me forward as I work towards my goals. Without it, I would not be where I am today—pursuing my degree and building a future in welding with passion and determination. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I plan to have a positive impact on the world by encouraging and inspiring women to pursue the trades. I am currently attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor focused on the boys in the class and the boys did not offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I began teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work, too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. Something I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want o be a role model for younger women and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

Success, to me, means working hard to achieve my goals and aspirations despite any adversity. It is about staying focused, being resilient, and refusing to give up, no matter how challenging the journey becomes. My current definition of success revolves around staying dedicated to my welding program at Walla Walla Community College. This means attending class every day, keeping up with homework, and balancing a part-time job to pay for living expenses. Enrolling in the welding program is a step toward building a better future. Success in this program requires being present, engaged, and willing to put in the effort to master the necessary skills for a successful career. I understand that true success does not happen overnight. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to push through difficulties. For me, success means giving my best effort to something meaningful. It involves having a clear goal and working tirelessly until I achieve it. Setbacks are inevitable, but I view them as opportunities to learn and grow rather than reasons to quit. You have to be willing to fail in order to succeed, and failure is only permanent if you stop trying. My journey is about pushing through those failures with courage and determination, knowing that each obstacle makes me stronger. Juggling my studies with part-time work requires time management and a strong work ethic. Exhaustion sometimes sets in, but the pride and accomplishment at the end of the day remind me why I am doing this. That pride cannot be taken away because I know how hard I’ve worked. Success is not just the final achievement—it is the pride in knowing every step was earned through effort and sacrifice. This opportunity to pursue my welding education will help me achieve success by providing the skills and knowledge needed for a stable career. By staying committed to my education, I am investing in a future where I can provide for myself and contribute to society. The technical skills I am learning, combined with the work ethic I’m developing, will serve me well in the future. Additionally, balancing studies with a part-time job teaches me valuable life skills like responsibility, perseverance, and adaptability. These qualities are essential not only for success in welding but for any goal I pursue. Every hour spent working or studying is an investment in my future, and each day I push forward, I build a foundation for long-term success. Success is also about having the courage to rise from difficult circumstances and take control of my future. There were moments in my life when I felt like I was at rock bottom, but I refused to let those moments define me. Instead, I took action and worked toward a better life. This education opportunity represents a turning point—a chance to transform my dedication into a career I can be proud of. This scholarship will help me achieve my goals by easing the financial burden of college and allowing me to focus on excelling in my welding program. With less financial stress, I can dedicate more time and energy to mastering my craft and succeeding in my coursework. My main goal for college is to graduate with minimal debt. While this is an ambitious goal, I’ve been preparing for years. I grew up independent and saved for a decade by showing and selling livestock. I plan to use my savings and any scholarships I receive to cover my college expenses. I will continue applying for scholarships throughout my college career to minimize my reliance on student loans. In the end, success is about more than just reaching a goal—it is about the journey and the personal growth that comes with it. It’s the satisfaction of knowing you worked hard for everything you have and that no one can take it away. With this opportunity at Walla Walla Community College, I am committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve my dreams and build a future filled with pride, stability, and success. Pleases be assured that your generous support would be well placed in me. Thank you for your consideration.

I am in my first year at Walla Walla Community College pursuing an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past five years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. These experiences have taught me to have grit and tenacity. I have learned to never give up even when you may not have the support of those around you. Sometimes you have to make your own dreams come true, even if that means working harder. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly and was not easy, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. While my parents have some money set aside for my education, they have raised me to be independent. I have worked in some capacity since I was eleven years old. The savings that my parents and I have will be used for my living expenses. I need additional financial support to help pay for my tuition. I will also be working throughout my time in college to help pay for my education. My ultimate goal is to leave college debt free. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

What are your personal goals and aspirations in the trades, and how will this scholarship help you achieve those goals? I am attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past four years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I was teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I plan to have a positive impact on the world by encouraging and inspiring women to pursue the trades. After high school, I will be attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor focused on the boys in the class and the boys did not offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work, too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. Something I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want to be a role model for younger women and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I plan to have a positive impact on the world by encouraging and inspiring women to pursue the trades. After high school, I will be attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor focused on the boys in the class and the boys did not offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work, too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. Something I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want to be a role model for younger women and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I plan to have a positive impact on the world by encouraging and inspiring women to pursue the trades. After high school, I will be attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor focused on the boys in the class and the boys did not offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work, too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. Something I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want to be a role model for younger women and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

After high school, I plan to go to Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Taking those classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects.This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. One thing I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. While my parents have some money set aside for my education, they have raised me to be independent. I have worked in some capacity since I was eleven years old. I have also been saving the proceeds from showing and selling lambs at the Okanogan County Fair for the last ten years to put towards college. My ultimate goal is to leave college debt free. I will continue to apply for scholarships and grants throughout my college program in order to help achieve that goal. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. I am responsible and have a great work ethic. I will achieve my goals and if selected, do well with your contribution towards my future. Thank you for your consideration.

After high school, I plan to go to Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. The support of this scholarship would help me achieve my goal of obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology at Walla Walla Community College. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women become interested in the trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. In the future I see myself going back to college to obtain my Career and Technical Education Degree to become an agriculture and welding teacher so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it is a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

I plan to have a positive impact on the world by encouraging and inspiring women to pursue the trades. After high school, I will be attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor focused on the boys in the class and the boys did not offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work, too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. Something I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want o be a role model for younger women and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

After high school, I will be attending Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. I also want to keep learning new things so I can be the best at what I do. One thing I see myself doing later in my career is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. This scholarship would certainly help me attain my goals. While my parents have some money set aside for my education, they have raised me to be independent. I have worked in some capacity since I was eleven years old. I have also been saving the proceeds from showing and selling lambs at the Okanogan County Fair for the last ten years to put towards college. The savings that my parents and I have will be used for my living expenses. I need additional financial support to help pay for my tuition. My ultimate goal is to leave college debt free. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

My educational goal is to attend Walla Walla Community College, in Walla Walla, Washington for an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology degree. I plan to achieve this goal through hard work and dedication. If I receive enough scholarships I plan to extend my time at Walla Walla Community College to attain an Associates or Arts degree as well. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to accomplish this goal. I was inspired to become a welder at fourteen years old when I was given my dream truck from a family friend. However, the 1940 Chevy pickup was in many pieces, and I was going to need to restore it. My dad made me take welding classes at school before he would let me do any of the welding needed on my pickup. While taking the welding classes, I realized how much I enjoy welding and doing fabrication projects. I am looking forward to pursuing trade school to expand my knowledge in welding. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially male dominated fields such as welding. I think it is important for there to be more diversity in these fields. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. One thing I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Agriculture and welding teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want to be a role model for younger girls and boys and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. I have had to overcome adversity while learning the welding trade in my high school welding classes. I did not have the best experience in welding class. I had to self-teach myself to run a bead because my instructor was more focused on the boys in that class and the boys offered me little help as well. I was on my own, but I did not let it stop me. After much perseverance and determination, here I am two years later, teaching the freshman how to weld and applying for trade school. I may not have wanted to be a welder in the beginning, but I had the confidence to learn and get better when no one would help me. Despite the lack of support, I fell in love with welding through those classes and working on my truck. Without my mental toughness to go into the welding shop with zero help from anyone and being the only girl, I would not be where I am today. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

Choosing a trade career is something I've thought a lot about. After high school, I plan to attend Walla Walla Community College, in Walla Walla, Washington, to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially ones like welding where there aren't many women. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. I also want to keep learning new things so I can be the best at what I do. I think it's important to always be improving and trying new things. One thing I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Ag teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want o be a role model for younger girls and boys and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

The skills that I possess that will help me while pursuing a career in the welding field is confidence, perseverance, and commitment. Having confidence is vital when pursuing a career in welding, especially being a female in a male dominated trade. Without confidence, accomplishing your goals is ten times harder. Being able to go into a shop being the only girl proved to be challenging. It is hard because at least in my experience, people are negative about female welders. I have had family, teachers, and friends tell me not to go into welding and that I need to be in a white-collar industry. I didn't get into welding because I wanted to be a welder. I got into welding because when I was 14 years old, I got my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup. I have spent the last 3 years working on restoring that truck. But when I first got it, my dad made me take a welding class and learn to weld so I could weld pieces on my truck. I did not have the best experience in welding class in high school. I had to self-teach myself to run a bead because my instructor only focused on the boys in that class. The boys in my class at the time offered me no help. I was on my own, but I did not let it stop me. With great perseverance and a strong commitment to my goals, here I am two years later, teaching the freshman how to weld and applying for trade school. I may not have wanted to be a welder in the beginning, but I had the confidence, perseverance, and commitment to learn and get better when no one would help me. I fell in love with welding through those classes and working on my truck. Now I cannot imagine myself in any other profession except welding all because of those skills that helped me get where I am today. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through confidence, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

Choosing a trade career is something I've thought a lot about. After high school, I plan to go to Walla Walla Community College to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially ones like welding where there aren't many women. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. I also want to keep learning new things so I can be the best at what I do. I think it's important to always be improving and trying new things. One thing I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Ag teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want o be a role model for younger girls and boys and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.

Choosing a trade career is something I've thought a lot about. After high school, I plan to go to Walla Walla Community College, in Walla Walla, Washington, to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences in Welding Technology. I didn't originally aspire to be a welder. My journey began when I was 14 years old and received my dream truck, a 1940 Chevy pickup, from a family friend. Over the past three years, I've been working on restoring that truck. Initially, my dad insisted I take a welding class to learn how to weld pieces for my truck. Unfortunately, my experience in high school welding class wasn't the best. I had to teach myself to run a bead because my instructor mainly focused on the boys in the class and the boys didn't offer me much help either. Despite this, I persevered. Fast forward two years, and I'm now teaching freshmen how to weld and applying for trade school. Taking these classes made me realize how much I enjoy welding and working on fabrication projects. Now, I want to learn different welding techniques so I can do any job that comes my way. I'm not the type to sit at a desk all day. I like being hands-on and staying busy. This experience in high school has really shaped my plans for after graduation. If I hadn't gotten that truck, I might never have tried welding. But now, I'm excited about becoming a certified welder and maybe even traveling around the country for work. One thing I want to do in my career is to encourage more women to consider trades, especially ones like welding where there aren't many women. I think it's important for there to be more diversity in these fields. I want to show other females that they can do this kind of work too. By sharing my story and helping other women get interested in trades, I hope to make a difference. I also believe in the importance of learning and growing in your career. As I become more experienced, I want to help teach others, especially young women who are just starting out. I also want to keep learning new things so I can be the best at what I do. I think it's important to always be improving and trying new things. One thing I see myself doing in the future is going back to college to receive my Career and Technical Education Degree. I want to become an Ag teacher later on so I can inspire and teach younger generations how to weld. I want o be a role model for younger girls and boys and show them that they can succeed in an industry such as welding. Welding is more than just a job to me; it's a passion that has ignited a fire within me to excel in the trade industry. My journey with welding began unexpectedly, but it has grown into a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the field and inspire others, especially women, to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute positively to the welding industry. You can be assured that I am a capable candidate for your generous support. Thank you for your consideration.