My long-term ambition is to own and operate my own business after completing an associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. I have always been interested in working with my hands, solving problems, and building things that have real-world value. Through my education and practical experience, I hope to develop the technical skills, leadership abilities, and business knowledge needed to create a successful company that provides dependable electrical services while supporting my community. Electrical engineering technology appeals to me because it combines technical knowledge with hands-on application. I enjoy understanding how systems work and finding solutions to mechanical or electrical challenges. By earning my associate’s degree, I plan to gain a strong foundation in electrical systems, wiring, troubleshooting, safety procedures, and modern technologies used in residential and commercial environments. This education will prepare me not only to work in the field but also to manage projects efficiently and safely. After getting experience as an electrician, my goal is to start my own electrical services business. The company I envision would focus on residential and small commercial electrical work, including installation, maintenance, repairs, and system upgrades. As technology continues to advance, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can install energy-efficient systems, smart home technology, and updated electrical infrastructure. I want my business to help customers improve safety, reliability, and energy efficiency in their homes and workplaces. Owning a business represents more than financial independence to me. It is an opportunity to build something meaningful through hard work and dedication. I want to create a company known for honesty, quality craftsmanship, and strong customer relationships. My experiences working alongside family members in hands-on construction and building projects have taught me the importance of reliability, teamwork, and attention to detail. These values will guide how I operate my future business. Another important ambition I have is to give back to my community. As a business owner, I hope to provide job opportunities for others, especially young people who want to learn skilled trades but may not know where to start. Offering apprenticeships or training opportunities would allow me to mentor others while helping address the growing need for skilled workers in technical fields. I believe trades and technical careers are essential to society, and I want my business to help support and strengthen that workforce. In addition, owning my own business would allow me to continue learning and growing throughout my career. Technology is constantly evolving, especially in electrical systems and renewable energy solutions. I plan to stay current with industry advancements and expand my services over time. By adapting to new technologies, my business can remain competitive and provide valuable services for years to come. Ultimately, my ambition is to combine education, practical skills, and entrepreneurial goals to build a stable and respected business. By earning my associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and applying what I learn through experience, I hope to create a company that supports my future, serves my community, and reflects the strong work ethic and values that have shaped who I am today.

I am a high school senior at Walkertown High School in Walkertown, North Carolina. I am familiar with finances through the jobs that I have held and through what I have learned in our Government and Economics class that I am currently taking in my last semester of high school. I have learned the responsibility of having a debit card through the jobs that I have had that pay me through direct deposit. It is important to always know how much money is in your account and to track what you have spent. If you overdraw your checking or savings account, you have to pay overdraft fees plus fees for the places you spent money that wasn't in your account. This can cost hundreds of dollars. It is very important to pay attention to the balance in your checking or savings account. I have lived with my grandparents since I was two years old. My father never paid for any child support or been in my life since I was four years old. My mom did the best she could and paid child support when she could and she has been in my life off and on. Basically, my grandparents have provided for me my whole life. Now that I am going to college, they are the only support I have. I will be attending New River Community College in Virginia in Fall 2026 and have been recruited to play baseball while attending NRCC. I will be majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology. I want to become a residential and commercial electrician and eventually start my own business. I want to be able to help people by fixing electrical problems and installing systems safely. Owning my own business means I can be my own boss, create jobs for others, and build something I can be proud of. After receiving a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, I plan to take business courses and financial courses to learn how to run my own business. When I hire people to work for me, I want them to know they will have a good stable job and that they will be paid on schedule. With only my grandparents to help me, this scholarship would mean so much. Because I am going to college in Virginia as an out of state student, the tuition is double and is over $10, 000 a year. I also have to pay for an apartment and living expenses because the college does not have on campus housing. In addition to financial aid, this scholarship will help me to pay for some of my tuition and help me buy books and pay for other college related expenses so that I can follow my dream of becoming an electrician. I am grateful for your consideration for this scholarship. I am committed to making the most of the opportunity it provides. Thank you, Owen Tidd

I have lived with my grandparents since I was 2 years old. I owe everything to them because they raised me to be kind and compassionate and hard working. They have pushed me to do my very best at everything I do. Living with my grandparents has taught me the value of hard work and responsibility. They have always taken care of me they best they can. I have severe ADHD and I am someone who likes working with my hands. I am hardworking, responsible and I like learning new skills that can help me in real life. Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to learn from my grandfather building barns, pouring cement, building decks, and helping with plumbing and wiring. Because of all I have learned from him, it has helped me decide what I want to do with my life, which is to become an electrician. I will be attending New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia in Fall 2026 majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology and have been recruited to play baseball. Because the program is a D3 program, there is no scholarship money available. My goal is to become a licensed electrician and eventually start my own business. I want to be able to help people by fixing electrical problems and installing systems safely. After getting my electricians degree, I plan to take business classes so I can learn about running a business. Owning my own business means I can be my own boss, create jobs for others, and build something that lasts. Because I was raised by my grandparents, I have considerable financial need. My father never paid for any child support. My mom did the best she could and paid child support when she could. Basically, my grandparents have provided for me my whole life. Now that I am going to college, they are the only support I have. Because I am going to college in Virginia, the tuition is double and is over $10, 000 a year. I also have to pay for an apartment and living expenses because the college does not have on campus housing. This scholarship would mean a lot to me as it will help to pay for some of my tuition and help me buy books and pay for other college related expenses so that I can follow my dream. I am grateful for your consideration for this scholarship. I am committed to making the most of the opportunity it provides. Thank you, Owen M. Tidd

I am a kid who has lived with my grandparents since I was 2 years old. I owe everything to them because they raised me to be kind and compassionate, always thinking of others. My best friend is Westin. He is the first person I met when I moved to North Carolina when I was 7 years old at the Little League field. He called me one day saying his truck wouldn't start and he needed to get to school. Even though I didn't have to go to school until later, I jumped in my truck and used my jumper cables to help him get his truck started so he could get to school on time. Westin would do the same for me, because we are best friends. A few years ago, Westin's stepfather's son committed suicide. He called and wanted to come over and I said yes, not knowing what was going on. When he got to my house, he was very upset and told me what had happened. It was a terrible situation and all I could do was be there for him to talk and try to make sense of what had happened. We sat and played video games and talked for a long time. In these two situations, I only thought about my friend who needed me. Now we are seniors and going away to college. Westin is going to college in West Virginia, and I am going to college in Virginia. We grew up playing baseball together and we are both going to be able to play the game we love in college. Even though we will be at different colleges, we will always be there for each other no matter what. While attending New River Community College in Virginia, I plan to take Electrical Engineering Technology. I want to become a residential and commercial electrician and eventually start my own business. I want to be able to help people by fixing electrical problems and install systems safely. Owning my own business means I can be my own boss, create jobs for others, and build something that lasts. Because I was raised by my grandparents, I have considerable financial need. My father never paid for any child support. My mom did the best she could and paid child support when she could. Basically, my grandparents have provided for me my whole life. Now that I am going to college, they are the only support I have. Because I am going to college in Virginia, the tuition is double - over $10, 000 a year. I also have to pay for an apartment and living expenses because the college does not have on campus housing. This scholarship would mean a lot to me as it will help to pay for some of my tuition and help me buy books and pay for other college related expenses so that I can follow my dream. I am grateful for your consideration for this scholarship. I am committed to making the most of the opportunity it provides. Thank you, Owen Tidd