I was born prematurely at 27 weeks weighing 2 pounds 2 ounces due to some poor choices made by my birth parents, and spent 90 days in the NICU until I was strong enough to go home with my very loving, and supportive, adoptive parents. My prematurity caused some disabilities that I have had to overcome or adapt to as I have gotten older. During my first 10 years of life I endured many surgeries and therapies to try and overcome as much of the health and physical obstacles as possible. I have struggled academically in school with reading, writing and math skills. My teacher is helping me with this essay. As a special education student in the Applied Skills program, I worked very hard to gain the skills needed to be a productive member of society while also enjoying the many opportunities life has to offer. While in school, I was mainstreamed into general education classes with para support and took classes such as Landscaping, Intro to Ag Science, and Animal Science among the other requirements. In these classes, I found that I love working outside. This love led to my current job and a plan for after high school. I will graduate with an alternate diploma which I am very excited about. I have been employed by Palmer Cemetery working on mowing the lawn with a massive Dixie Chopper mower. Before I mow, I have to inspect and prepare the lawn by picking up sticks and other debris. I get to use the Kubota while doing this part of my job. I love going to work and look forward to the nicer weather so I can begin mowing again. I have been accepted to Shepherd’s College in Union Grove, Wisconsin, and I plan to study Horticulture while earning a certificate from the school. Shepherds’s College is a school for students with intellectual disabilities like me. While there, I will work on skills for the horticultural certificate, but I will also be working on the skills needed to be independent when the three year program is completed. I will learn to manage my money, learn-life long career skills, developing relationships, experiencing roommates, and maturing into adulthood with life skills training. I can’t wait to graduate from high school and move on to college. I’m very excited to go to Shepherd’s College! Earning this scholarship will take some of the financial burden from my parents and me. It costs a lot of money for me to go to Shepherd’s College, but my family and I feel it is a great place to continue learning how to be an adult. When I finish the program, I want to get a job working for a landscape company and mowing grass or Palmers. I really love mowing grass!! I might be able to mow grass for other people too.