After graduating from high school, and like most of my mechanically-inclined friends, I wanted to get an engineering degree. However, I was concerned about getting a bachelors degree, I had friends who would tell me horror stories from the local universities, and I did not want to get a dreaded college loan to pay my way through. With this in mind, I decided to opt instead for the for my local community college. I had always had a passion for the STEM field and when Valencia college offered a drafting and design degree, it sounded so fun I had to take it. I knew that with the low tuition and my scholarship funds, that it would all be paid for, which was good news to my parents also. My father is disabled with a neurological condition and is on a fixed income. Also, my mother had recently had to retire from her job at day care, because teaching ten 2-year-olds should be banned by the Geneva convention. Needless to say I could not have attended college without my scholarships. At Valencia, I was able to excel at my studies, in part to the many good professors and staff there, and also in part to my unique talent that God has given me to solve problems. My professors were stunned when I told them I was only pursing an associates degree. “Don't let it go to waste.” they would tell me. At the time, I assumed that after entering the workforce as a draftsman would allow me to afford to further my education at a later date; I was determined not to go into debt, even if it meant disappointing my professors. After a couple years of hard study I was able to graduate from Valencia with a 4.0 GPA. I was eager and ready to enter the workforce. But, I got sick and had to deal with a lot of medical issues, then, there was a death in the family that I had to attend to. Overall, I lost about a year tying to get everything sorted, and just when I was submitting job applications again... COVID came around and the jobs dried up. At this time I wanted to also help contribute something to my family. I had graduated Valencia with some money left on my scholarships which would help, and I also knew that I would be accepted should I pursue an engineering degree. So, I made the decision to go back to college for my AA degree, which I was able to complete the following year with a 4.0 GPA. But, AA degrees are kinda worthless (except to those who sell party supplies), and after some searching, I managed to transfer into Florida Polytechnic University in their Mechanical Engineering program. Two hour commute notwithstanding, I have been thriving at Poly. I have been maintaining a difficult 4.0 in all my classes and I have even been nominated for president of one of the school clubs. Poly has offered me several scholarships, which helped pay for my tuition and gas. With what money I earn through the school, I am able to supplement my parents' fixed income with my scholarship refunds. Thankfully, I have managed to stay out of debt so far, but with the economy tanking as it is, and with grants running out, I need to find a way to fund my education and support my family. I hope that I would be able to afford to keep coming to Poly to pursue my somewhat belated dream of becoming an engineer.

My mom has been such a great influence in my life. Why God blessed me with such a wonderful woman I may never know. She has been so instrumental in what I am today, from my character to my education and walk with the Lord. She has always been a great example for me and has always led by example, as an imitator of Christ. Her character is unwavering and her devotion to my disabled father has been nothing short of miraculous. She has done so many things for me that I can scarcely list them, let alone thank her for all of them. She has been a great comfort to me in need, and a helping companion and friend for me as an only child. I and my dad are blessed by her every day. I guess my father knew she was such a blessing before I was even born. When he was injured at his work, she would come to see him and stay by his side when he was in great agony, and she would be there for him even as he developed a rare neurological condition that made him unable to even walk at the time. Even the nurses were amazed at her devotion and were surprised that she did not decide to leave him. I know she was a godly example of what true love is like. She is a schoolteacher who has been a positive influence in countless lives over many years. I know I would not have had much academic success without her constant instruction and encouragement. And she loved teaching so much that she had a preschool teaching job for nearly 20 years with no hope of a pension. Because of her, I was given a “head start” if you will, in most of my schooling. I remember fondly her reading with me my first chapter books on our big Lazyboy when my friends were struggling to read letters. Even as a teenager, she was always there for me with joy and love. But by far her greatest achievement in my life was telling me the good news of the gospel. I am so glad that she was able to share with me the greatest story ever told. Because she was a teacher, she would often teach our church’s children’s church. She could make the Word of God come alive with her passion, knowledge and love. I know that God has blessed many through her and I know that many have come to Christ through what she has done. I realize that all that she has done for me would have been for nothing had she not helped lead me to Him who saved me, and because of that I count myself as having the greatest mother I could ask for. Even today she still shows he undying love for Jesus in all that she does. Even yesterday, she spent 3 hours trying to find me a case for my laptop when she noticed that my case was too big. I only hope one day I can be half as impactful and loving in the lives of my children. The way she loves and cares for me and my family is supernatural, and I know the One who gives her the strength every day to show Jesus to everyone she meets. I am so thankful for her.