From a young age I could tell I was very crafty. I loved the arts and loved to get my hands dirty. As I got older I never really knew what I wanted to do with my life. I was always trying to make someone else happy before me. I came as an afterthought to myself. Throughout my school life I never gave my future much thought and never in a million years did I think I was going to go to college. College was never brought up at the dinner table, so since my parents didn’t really seem interested in me going I never seemed interested. That was until I realized without some sort of degree I was going no where with my life. Let me tell you a small bit of information about myself. I’m the only girl out of six kids and the second oldest. My first brother has since moved out and works in heating and cooling. My second brother is in the marines and the rest are still in school. Anyway, I really wanted something for myself and decided to go to my local community college. I had never gotten help with paying and had to work full-time to pay for it. Did I pay on time? Yes? Was I focusing on school? No. My grades were slipping and my last semester I had fallen i’ll with an ear infection and failed my classes. I was heart broken and thought that was it for me, I thought that since my best was failing I would just stop now before I made a fool of myself. Then I started looking at trades. My whole life I was always told what I should do with it, but as I looked at the trade options at MCC I realized I wanted to go through with it. That’s how I have gotten into the welding program and fell in love the moment I started. I’m in 101 right now and one of the top students in my class. I’m almost done with Oxy-fuel welding and will move onto Mig soon. In January I will start 102, 103, and 105. I figured I’d just get into them straight on. After 102 I can apply for an apprenticeship, which is my goal in all of this. To get an apprenticeship whilst going to school to get my certificate. I would be getting so much knowledge from welders who are much more experienced than me while also learning the basics I need to do the job. In the future I plan on donating to the trade school that has helped me figured out what I want for my life. The trade portion is separate from main campus. I also wish to have my own scholarship one day for a young lady such as myself who wants to work in a field prominently dominated by men. Please consider me for this scholarship as it would help aid in me in my dream to becoming a pipe welder.

Growing up I was always told that I should do this or I’d be great at that. Girls shouldn’t do this, girls shouldn’t do that. I even almost became a hairdresser because my brother told me I’d be happy doing that. I wasn’t, it made me miserable, I hated doing hair. I knew I wanted to go into something that was more hands on but didn’t know what so, I just joined MCC without a second thought. As I went through my first year I will admit I never paid any attention to my grades and my GPA suffered greatly. It just felt like I was going into highschool all over again. I didn’t want that, I hated highschool, but not for the typical reason of ‘I just hate school’, I hated highschool because I felt like it didn’t really help me at all about what I wanted in life. It didn’t feel like it was gearing me up for success at all. That’s when I turned to MCC. If highschool couldn’t help me figure out what I wanted, then maybe college could! It’s what college is for! Especially community college. So, I started out my first year doing ok, I didn’t pass my english class so that made me have some doubts, next semester I failed two more because I had gotten an ear infection that made me bed bound and I couldn’t take my final exams, resulting in me failing. I was so upset at myself for essentially ruining my chances at a future over something I couldn’t predict, like my ear infection. When this school year came up again I found myself looking into trades. I’ve always wanted to do a trade as my father was a brick layer and my grandpa owned a brick laying company. He’s going to be a little shocked when he finds out I’m a welder. My first option was electrician and my second one was welding. I passed on electrician because I honestly thought I would’ve electrocuted myself, but I’ve burned my hands were more than I can count for grabbing hot metal. So, I really jinxed myself there. I really like using my hands and be hardworking. My greatest supporter and one I admire the most is my dear boyfriend. He’s in the marines and has been for the last three years. He’s a very hard worker and I’ve always looked up to him and want to show him I can be just as hardworking. So, I really came into this trade not expecting to love it as much as I do. When I came into classes I realized there were very little girls. I guess I never realized how men override this field was. I’m not really into social causes, I’ve never really been one to pay too much attention to stuff like that in all honesty. I wish I was and I will most likely pay more closer attention. I guess a social causes that catches my eye from time to time is poverty and how it effects very many people. I’m sure some if not most people effect are on websites like this trying to get coverage for their courses. I wish we didn’t live in a world that looks down on others but unfortunately we do and it’s quite sad. Please consider me for this scholarship as it would help further my studies and help me get the job of my dreams.