My goal is to learn the knowledge and gain the skills necessary to become an electrical lineman. I feel the trades are an asset to our communities and our lives. My dad would always say “the trades are a dying breed, if you learn a skill no one can take that from you.” I am passionate about this career path because I enjoy the outdoors and being hands on with things I do. I enjoy hunting, fishing and golfing. These activities can take place in various weather conditions so I do not mind the elements. I am accepted in to the Southeast Lineman Training Center program in Georgia. It is not a traditional college degree program. I feel the program will provide me the knowledge and hands on training necessary to work in the field. I feel scholarships such as this one will encourage people to seek out the trades. The program I have been accepted to does not offer financial aid, but there are other forms of financial assistance such as student loan, people eligible for the GI Bill. Even in my search for scholarships there are far more offered for people pursuing college level two to four year degrees. The cost of trade programs can discourage enrollment in these programs. My plans after my program completion are to get a job in my field in hopes that my employer will provide further education opportunities either on the job or opportunities to attend training seminars or workshops. My dad passed suddenly and unexpectedly in 2020. This has left a hole in my life that no one can fill. I have certainly not overcome it but I work hard to move through it everyday. I loved hanging out with my dad and tagging along with him, which often lead to me helping him with whatever odd job he may be doing, from installing a household ceiling fan, an added plug outlet to a wall, flooring installation to working on a Christmas tree farm. My dad instilled a hard work ethic in me and was a great example of someone who was reliable and always encouraged me to just do my best. He is still a big influence in my everyday life. Life is never the same after you suffer a significant loss of someone you love. You can not replace them, you find ways to honor their life and what it meant to you.

I feel the trades are an important asset to our communities. This includes many professions from plumbers, HVAC installers, electricians, landscapers to flooring installers. More people are needed to go in to the trades. My father would always say “the trades are a dying breed, if you learn a trade no one can take that from you.” My goal is to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make a career as an electrical lineman. I have been accepted in to the Southeast Lineman Training Center program in Georgia. Though it is not a traditional college degree, it is an intense program that will educate me and also prepare me for the physical demands of the job as well. More trade schools are necessary to educate individuals for the trades jobs. I feel some people may be discouraged from pursuing a trade because you are not pursuing a college degree. I found in my search for scholarships, there are many scholarship opportunities for those applying to two to four year college programs or universities versus going to a trade or vocational school. I enjoy the outdoors, I enjoy hunting, fishing and golfing in all kinds of weather. Before my dad’s sudden and unexpected death, I loved hanging out with him and helping him with whatever odd jobs that he was involved in. Everything from a small electrical job such as putting in a ceiling fan to floor installation. I was born and raised in Upstate New York before my family relocated to North Carolina in 2017. Up north, my dad also worked on his godfather’s Christmas tree farm. I would go and help with whatever it was I could help him with. My dad instilled a strong work ethic in me. He also was a good example of someone who was willing to help out someone with whatever it was he could help them with. If he did not always know how to do it, he was not afraid to learn how. He always encouraged us to show up and do our best, no matter what it was, our school work, a sport, or a job, and to never be afraid to do what you can do to earn a living. You can say my dad was a big influence on my career decision. This program costs over $20,000, any scholarship I can earn would help me tremendously, to support my goal of becoming an electrical lineman.

My dad passed suddenly and unexpectedly leaving a hole in my life that no one can fill. I loved hanging out with my dad. I would go with him every chance I could. This often included me helping him with whatever project he may be working on. We did everything from small household electrical jobs to floor installation. He taught me the importance of the trade jobs, just as his father did, before he passed. He would tell me to learn a trade, that it is a dying breed. You can use this skill your entire life, no one can take it away from you. Wise words my grandfather passed on. My father instilled a good work ethic in me. Show up and always give your best work. My goal is to learn the knowledge and skills I need to become an electrical lineman. This is not a traditional college program, however, it is an important training program. I have applied and been accepted in the program at the Southeast Lineman Training Center in Georgia. Being able to pay for this tuition, which costs over $20,000, would be a tremendous help to myself and my mom. My mom works hard to provide for me and my siblings. To be there for us in every way possible. Me, my brother and my sister lost our father, my mom, her husband. It has been hard not having my dad here to make more memories with, to share in our everyday lives, to share our accomplishments, and to help guide our future with his wisdom.