Driving under the influence ruins lives. It’s not just about getting arrested or losing your license. It’s about the damage you leave behind. One bad decision can take someone’s life or change it forever. I’ve seen how fast things go wrong when someone thinks they’re okay to drive but they’re not. Morally, it’s a selfish move. You’re putting other people at risk for something that could’ve been avoided. Whether it’s a stranger on the road or someone riding with you, they didn’t ask to be in danger. That kind of choice shows a lack of respect for others, and once something goes wrong, there’s no fixing it. Technically, alcohol and drugs slow down your reaction time, mess with your judgment, and make it harder to control a vehicle. You might feel fine, but your body says otherwise. That’s why breathalyzers, ignition interlocks, and checkpoints exist. They’re there to stop something tragic before it happens. The impact on family and friends is what sticks. When someone gets hurt or killed because of a DUI, it doesn’t just affect the victim. It hits everyone who knew them. Parents lose kids. Friends lose someone they thought they’d grow old with. Even if no one dies, the guilt and stress can tear people apart. That kind of pain doesn’t go away. Preventing DUIs starts with being honest. If you’re going to drink, have a plan. Call a ride, stay where you are, or give your keys to someone you trust. And if you see someone about to drive impaired, speak up. It might feel awkward, but it’s better than staying quiet and regretting it later. I’m studying automotive at Lincoln Tech and working toward becoming a diesel tech. I take this seriously because I know the vehicles I’ll be working on aren’t just machines. They’re part of someone’s life. Whether it’s a family car or a long-haul truck, people depend on it. I want to be part of a system that values safety and responsibility. DUIs aren’t just numbers. They’re real people, real families, and real futures lost. I want to help prevent that by doing the right thing and setting an example.

I didn’t grow up with a clear plan, but I always knew I liked working with my hands, and fixing things made sense to me. I’m currently attending Lincoln Tech, training to become an automotive technician. My goal is to start in automotive and work my way into diesel, where I can eventually help my uncle launch a trucking business with a Peterbilt. He’s been in the industry for years, and I’ve seen how hard it is to keep a rig running without reliable service. That’s what pushed me toward this field, not just the machines, but the people behind them. At school, I’ve worked on vehicles like the Nissan Maxima SR and the Ford Fiesta SE. I’ve learned how to read scan tool data, inspect CVT systems, and follow proper documentation. I take pride in doing things right, clean workflows, precise torque specifications, and attention to detail. I’m methodical about it because I know that in this line of work, mistakes cost time and money. Every skill I build now is laying the foundation for when I transition into diesel and start working on heavy-duty systems. I didn’t choose the trades because they’re trendy or because someone told me to. I chose them because they’re real. You see the results of your work. You help people get to work, deliver goods, or support their families. That kind of responsibility means something to me. As for social causes, I care about making trades education more accessible especially for people who don’t fit the college mold. There’s too much pressure to follow a traditional path, and not enough respect for hands-on work. I’ve seen classmates gain confidence just by learning how to fix something themselves. I want to help more people find that sense of purpose, especially those who feel overlooked or underestimated. I also care about helping young people in my community find direction. A lot of them don’t see a future for themselves, especially if they’re not interested in school or don’t have strong support at home. I’ve seen how learning a trade can change someone’s mindset, give them confidence, structure, and a reason to show up. I want to be someone who shares what I’ve learned and helps others see that there’s a path forward, even if it’s not the one everyone expects. This scholarship would help me keep moving forward toward certification, toward diesel, and toward building a future that’s rooted in reliability and service. I’m not trying to impress anyone. I just want to do the work, do it well, and make a difference where it counts.

Education has always been important to me, but I know the road to earning a degree can be tough. One of the biggest challenges is the financial side of it. This scholarship would take away some of that weight and give me the chance to focus more on learning and less on worrying about money. It would allow me to put my time and energy into things like my classes, internships, and hands-on projects that will help me grow as a student and prepare for my future career. Simply put, this scholarship would give me some breathing room so I can give my best to my studies. What I’ve always believed is that education isn’t just about what you gain for yourself it’s also about how you use it to give back. I want to use my degree and the opportunities I’ve been given to help others. That might mean mentoring younger students, sharing advice with people who are going through the same challenges I faced, or using my skills in ways that improve life in my community. I also hope to represent my field in a way that opens doors for others, especially for people who may not always have access to the same opportunities. To me, this scholarship isn’t just a gift to me it’s something I can pay forward by investing back into the people around me. My motivation to pursue this field comes from a mix of curiosity and purpose. I’ve always been drawn to it because I like solving problems and challenging myself, but also because I see how much of an impact it can have on everyday life. Knowing that what I learn can actually make a difference for others is what keeps me motivated. Even when things get hard, that reminder helps me keep going. I want my work to mean something bigger than just a job, it’s about being part of something that creates change, even if it’s in small ways. I don’t think of myself as better than anyone else, but I do know I bring persistence, empathy, and a willingness to work hard. I’ve had to overcome challenges, and those experiences taught me to keep moving forward no matter how difficult things get. I think what makes me stand out is that I don’t just want to succeed for myself, I want to succeed so I can lift others up with me. This scholarship would be more than just financial help; it would be a chance for me to continue learning and eventually give back in ways that really matter. I would be deeply grateful for the support, and I would do my best to honor it through my work, my education, and the impact I hope to make in my community.