I am Kevin Trinidad, and I am honored to apply for the John Acuña Memorial scholarship. I proudly served in the United States Navy for ten years, reaching the rank of E-5 and earning three Navy Achievement Medals. I joined during the 2009 recession, when job opportunities were scarce, and the military provided me with structure, discipline, and a strong work ethic. My first assignment was on a submarine tender in Guam, where I performed maintenance on submarines. Later, I was stationed in Florida on one of the last frigates in the U.S. Navy, where I specialized in air conditioning systems. After a short tour in Washington State, I decided to leave the military and pursue my passion for music. Transitioning to civilian life came with its challenges. Although I had valuable technical skills, finding work after the military was not always straightforward. I eventually found employment fixing food service equipment at an international airport. The job was demoralizing, and I often worked in a hostile environment. When I was laid off due to COVID-19, I saw it as an opportunity to redirect my efforts toward something I was passionate about. The Post-9/11 GI Bill allowed me to pursue higher education and build a career aligned with my long-term goals. I am pursuing a degree in software engineering and artificial intelligence to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s. My military experience as a mechanical engineer gave me a deep understanding of systems—how energy converts into action, how air compression works, and how to control complex machinery. I see software engineering as another form of problem-solving, much like my work in the Navy. Writing code is about building functional systems, just as engineering in the military requires precision and efficiency. This mindset has shaped my belief that engineering principles apply across disciplines, and I am confident that my background will help me excel in this field. More importantly, I will be the first in my family to earn a Bachelor’s degree, a milestone that motivates me to push forward. Beyond my career aspirations, I have remained committed to supporting my community. After leaving the military, I immersed myself in Houston’s thriving music scene, earning a degree in audio engineering. I used my skills to help independent artists record demos, mix albums, and run sound for live performances. Additionally, I have volunteered for non-profit organizations, creating video content to support local artists. I also assisted many DIY underground art shows and the Houston Latino Film Festival, helping with event logistics and guest services. Looking ahead, I hope to give back through technology. I want to use my software engineering and web development skills to support small businesses and non-profits, helping them build websites and apps to serve their communities better. The ability to bridge creativity and technology excites me, and this scholarship will help me achieve my goals while continuing to uplift others.

At 18, I had no clear direction. I barely passed high school and struggled academically for most of my life. When I decided to join the Navy, I failed the ASVAB twice before passing on my third attempt. The military became my turning point. At first, I was given the lowest tasks—cleaning, taking out the trash, and wiping oil off engines. But over time, I worked my way up, eventually leading teams and managing critical ship systems. Making E-5 was a defining moment. I was responsible for half of the ship’s auxiliary equipment, troubleshooting refrigeration and air conditioning in the middle of the night to keep operations running. More importantly, my peers began looking up to me as a mentor, something I never expected when I first enlisted. After leaving the service, I struggled to find stability. I worked odd jobs, played guitar in bars to make ends meet, and eventually landed a job fixing food service machines. When I was laid off during COVID, I took a job as a Starbucks barista, but the physical demands took a toll on my health. I needed a career with stability and growth—something that challenged me intellectually without breaking me physically. That’s when I discovered programming. I started with a Udemy course called “100 Days of Code” and quickly realized that problem-solving through code felt familiar. Just like troubleshooting machinery in the Navy, programming required logic, patience, and adaptability. That initial spark turned into a passion, and I soon became a self-taught programmer. But I knew that to truly break into the field, I needed a strong foundation—one that a degree in computer science from WGU could provide. My goal is to earn my bachelor’s in computer science and transition into a career as a software engineer. Long-term, I want to work in cybersecurity, where I can leverage my technical skills and military background to help protect systems from threats. I also hope to mentor veterans transitioning into tech, just as I was mentored in the Navy. Post-graduation, I see myself working for a company that values innovation and problem-solving. I want to contribute to meaningful projects and continue growing as a developer. More importantly, I want to use my success to help others—whether through mentorship, open-source contributions, or creating resources for veterans entering tech. My journey has been one of perseverance. From struggling in school to becoming a leader in the military, from working survival jobs to finding my passion in tech, I’ve learned that setbacks don’t define potential—resilience does. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue pushing forward, proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your future.

At 18, I failed the ASVAB twice. I had barely passed high school, and my confidence was at an all-time low. When I finally passed on my third attempt and joined the Navy, I was given the lowest tasks—chipping paint, taking out the trash, and wiping oil off machines. At first, I felt overlooked, but over time, I proved my worth. I became the person my peers relied on, leading teams and managing critical systems. That journey taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to solve problems under pressure—lessons that now drive my passion for computer science. My interest in technology began out of necessity. After leaving the military, I struggled to find stability. I worked odd jobs, played guitar in bars to make ends meet, and eventually found work repairing food service machines. When I was laid off during COVID, I took a job as a Starbucks barista, but the physical toll of the work made me rethink my future. I needed a career that offered security, growth, and intellectual challenge. That’s when I discovered programming. I took a Udemy course called “100 Days of Code,” and everything clicked. Coding wasn’t just about computers—it was about logic, creativity, and problem-solving. The same skills I used to troubleshoot complex machinery in the Navy applied to debugging and optimizing software. I loved the challenge of breaking down complex problems, finding solutions, and constantly learning new things. The discipline and leadership I gained in the military continue to shape me today. I learned to remain calm under pressure, adapt to challenges, and take responsibility for my work. During my time in service, I went from a young sailor with no confidence to a mentor that others looked up to. I carried that same mentality into civilian life, helping friends organize community events and even directing a film under difficult conditions. Whether in filmmaking or technology, I’ve learned that success comes from perseverance and creative problem-solving. Earning a computer science degree from WGU is the next step in my journey. It will give me the technical foundation and credentials I need to break into the industry and build meaningful solutions. My goal isn’t just to get a degree but to use my education to make an impact—mentoring others, contributing to open-source projects, and creating technology that helps people, especially veterans transitioning into civilian life. I know firsthand how difficult it is to start over, but I also know that resilience and the right mindset can change everything. With my military background, my passion for technology, and the education I will gain at WGU, I’m ready to take this next step and build a better future—not just for myself, but for others as well.