As a child, I have fond memories of my uncle who lived in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was a skilled mechanic, a talented guitar player, and someone I looked up to. However, his struggle with alcoholism had a profound impact on his life and our relationship. One day, my mother dropped me off at my uncle's house, and he planned to take me fishing. As I got into his car, I noticed a hole under the driver's seat exposing the road. I also saw a bottle of gin tucked away under his seat, and I knew that my uncle had been drinking. This was my first realization that my uncle was a functioning alcoholic. DUI is a severe problem that affects everyone. Alcohol consumption can lead to various short-term and long-term health problems. Anyone who drinks risks impaired judgment, and the danger they pose to others can lead to death. In 2019, alcohol-impaired driving crashes caused 10,142 deaths in the United States, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Families are also affected by DUI. I was not only in danger because of my uncle, but I was also exposed to the possibility of experiencing it if I did not know better. The impact of DUI on family members can range from injuries, financial burdens, emotional trauma, and the death of loved ones. When accidents occur due to DUI, and a family member, friend, or innocent bystander is involved, the long-term effects can include medical bills from injuries, rehabilitation, driving anxiety, or driving phobia. Funeral expenses can create a significant financial burden, along with legal fees and lost income due to injury or death. To prevent DUI, education is crucial. One of the strategies for raising awareness of DUI is by promoting education to young people. We should be taught about the dangers of alcohol and learn about the consequences of the DMV. Additionally, bars, clubs, and parties should offer non-alcoholic options. The bartender should only be allowed to limit the number of drinks served or monitor how much they distribute. Providing a source of transportation could contribute to a decrease in DUI deaths, crashes, and convictions, such as a shuttle or a taxi voucher. These are all measures that put others in a babysitting position, but they are necessary to prevent drunk driving accidents. Another solution is for manufacturers to limit the alcohol content in each container. This method could help save lives if the content of alcohol is dropped by 75%. Inflating the price of alcohol could be another solution. This will negatively impact the business and result in job losses, but it is a solution that may save the life of someone we love from a DUI. Ignition interlock devices, or breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIID), are breathalyzers installed in a vehicle that requires the driver to blow into the device before starting the car. This device comes after the DUI, but it is not foolproof, as anyone can blow into the device for the driver. DUIs are a genuine problem that can have devastating consequences. My uncle drank so much that he developed a condition known as varicose, which causes bleeding from the rectum. By increasing awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence, deterring impaired drivers, and providing support for individuals struggling with addiction, we can work together to prevent DUIs.

Please share any attributes about yourself that make you unique. How do you plan to give back to your community? I'm 39 with ample time here on this planet. For many moons, my environment, peers, children and many more factors have invoked a feeling or two and helped me develop some of the best attributes. I would say my generosity is known throughout my family and friends. I could give freely, and I will share many more attributes of how I plan to give back to my community. Despite the many challenges I face in this universe, I never lost the courage to push forward. Having courage helps me remain calm, even in the face of adversity. My peace of mind stays intact because I could be brave along the way and made myself a pillar for those who were struggling with fear. Courage, when displayed, is broadcast for everyone in the community to see. Another attribute of mine is humility. When I was growing up in an unfortunate neighborhood, the community could reflect me, or teach me all about imperfections. Being able to recognize the influence my surroundings had on me allowed me a chance in time to volunteer at the local community center, helping with everything from cleaning up playgrounds and joining the boys and girls after-school club. Arrogance didn't surface in me because my humility help me become a quality stitch in my community. Wisdom sometimes can go unnoticed because we don’t always see understanding and judgment calls. People notice the change and the positive and negative impact that it could have on the community, and I believe my wisdom was one of my strongest attributes because the Boys and girls club in the community was my world and I made a wise choice to join them. Years went by, and my gratitude was beginning to evolve. I started to give back to the community by encouraging reading at the local library and handing out food at a homeless shelter. I was able to apply my trade to the community by giving free haircuts. This allowed me to bond with the younger generations but also inspired them to feel confident. In conclusion, my story is a testament to the power of love. This attribute has the power to bring people together in the community and create positive change in the world. If we all strive to embody these attributes in our own lives, we can make a real difference in our communities and beyond.

I was a handyman since my early teens. Fixing things could be a daunting task, but for me, it was a project that I was truly passionate about. I used my hard skill set to create an opportunity for myself and be creative. Those skills allowed me to transform a space into something beautiful and functional. And I was able to work with technology, the project I created allowed me to integrate innovative solutions and create a home that was both comfortable and high-tech. When I met my partner, she already owned a home. After living in the home for 15 years. The kitchen was outdated, and the bathrooms were not a perfect 10. The home needed attention and I saw the potential in the space and decided to take on the challenge of remodeling the 1500 square foot three-story townhome. Step one was calculations of our finances and needs over wants. We could create a personal style that reflects us or transform this home into a rental property. Plans for both ideals were drawn up and we settled on the latter. We also wanted to incorporate technology into the space, with smart home features that would make the lives of the new tenants easier and more comfortable. The challenge was time over quality, since love will stand the test of time, we choose quality since I have a great passion for fixing. For each project one at a time, we tackled the kitchen cabinets by stripping and repaining them. Appliances were replaced. We also integrated technology into the space, with smart thermostats, lighting controls, and a home security system. I would admit the best part of remodeling was installing lights, thermostats, and a security system because with these features you could control everything with one touch of a button, and we could turn lights on and off without physically being in the home adjust the temperature, and check on our home while away spending time with family. I also installed an echo touchscreen in the wall which advances the home from a button to voice control. Working with smart devices inspired me to integrate these into the home. This technology will potentially add peace of mind for anyone living there and make living in the home more efficient. Incorporating technology into the home added to my passion for technology but also created a space that reflected my trade. In conclusion, remodeling our home was a project that I was truly passionate about. It allowed me to apply my skills and knowledge to a new area of my life and create a space that reflected my values and interests. But it was also a reminder that technology is just one tool in a larger toolbox. The remodeling process taught me a lot about myself and my ability to join a smart mind into a smart home. It also taught me the importance of collaboration and communication, with my partner we were able to make decisions and create a bonding project.