American. An eight-letter word with a connotation of honor and pride. A single word that encompasses soo many groups of people. The soul reason for America was to be a place where people with a mutual trust could live in peace together. Not a place where everyone agreed, but where they chose to not let their disagreements get in the way of their friendships. To be an American is one of the greatest priveledges of mankind. This is not to be taken lightly, not to be stolen or taken by fraud. The people who made America great were men and women who cared not for themselves but were willing to lay down everything so that their families could live in safety and without fear of persecution. Though we are told to be different and to bring our cultures to America, that was not how the original American lived. When America's firm foundation was being laid, it was by people who cared not where they came from or what they left behind. They were simply Americans, yet so much more. Though there is much pride in the term American, it was humility that built the strongest nation in the world. These men and women were not driven by money and power like the so-called Americans of today. They were driven by a desire to make the world a better place, for others, and not themselves. It was called the melting pot, and it was called that because they were willing to go through the fire of trials and tests, the forge of resistance and pressure. Today we see many people who do not "more than self their country love," but instead say "whatever is best for me is what matters." They do not like Patrick Henry say "Give me Liberty or give me death," they instead say "give me liberty until it requires death, then I'll take communism." The American icon himself, John Wayne said that the worst thing for America was the introduction of the "hyphenated American." People can no longer just be Americans, they want you to call them Afro-American or Irish-American, or Latin-American. If they love the old country so much, then they're welcome to go back, because America must be united and a Hyphenated-Amerca is not united, it is divided. Never have we seen so much turmoil within our own borders, and why? Because no one is willing to melt together, but instead they insist on retaining their old lives. Whatever happened to American Culture? I have nothing wrong with people bringing their traditions and foods and cultures with them to America, but they cannot act like they're something special and that we should treat them differently than anybody else. Just because their great, great, great grandfather immigrated to America two hundred years before, doesn't mean anything. We all came from somewhere! Always have one goal in mind, and that is to just be an American! Don't focus on your past, or anybody else's. Just be willing to sacrifice, as our forefathers did, whatever it takes to make the world a better place. Noone remembers the self-focused, few that were only concerned about their own good, but everyone has a special place in their heart for the great men and women who gave everything just to be called Americans. This is not just a word that describes where you're from or the history you have. This is a word that millions throughout the ages have longed to claim. American!

I would like to study Welding and Fabrication. It has always been my way to work with my hands and I enjoy the welding that I have been doing through my high school. It seems like a great way to make things that can not only look good but will also stand up to great stress and pressures. Manufacturing is also very interesting. Particularly machining because I have often wanted to fix something but found out that the parts I need are no longer produced. It would be a real benefit if I could learn to make parts for myself and others.

Certain forms of education have had a large role in my life. Granted I didn't say all education because I've never been much for book work. Not that I haven't learned anything through that kind of teaching, but there are different types of learning methods that work for different people. I have always preferred hands-on learning, even though I have learned that there is a wealth of knowledge found in books and paperwork. Since I like hands-on training I will be going to Western Dakota Technical school for a Welding and Fabrication Certificate. Overall I am very glad that my mom made me do the book learning side of things because it helped to even out the area of skills and applications that I can use even as a welder. I believe that all types of learning are important because it builds a balanced character and helps students to reach the realization that you can't always do things the way that you want to.

My role model? It's hard to name one cause there have been so many. But I would have to say that my grandfather has been my role model over the years. To me he's always been 'Papa,' but I would say that most of what I've learned from him, was about things that happened before I was born. He was raised in a wealthy family and 'married well' as some would say. To him and his family, business was everything and he was good at what he did. He worked at the space needle in Seattle and traveled a lot for promotional gigs. He met a lot of famous people and even ate dinner with Neil Armstrong! But that is not why he is the number 1 role model in my life. You see, while he was still on his way to becoming a millionaire, his life was turned around. He went to a small church where he heard the gospel for the first time and received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Now if you ever met my grandfather you'd soon find out that whatever he does, he does with all his heart. Though he still worked at making money for a few years, he decided that God wanted him to be a preacher. So he left all the business world and stepped into a whole new adventure. As you can imagine, things were much different now, his family and friends called him a fool and refused to associate with him. On top of all the other changes, he was even offered a job by the owner of the Kansas City Cheifs, to be their manager. But once he'd made a decision, he didn't go back. Oh, it was hard, moving from a mansion to an attic, but he toughed it out and raised my Father to love the same things that he did. By the time I came around, I'd never have believed that my Grandfather had ever seen a hard time. He's always been the happiest man I know, and it seems like he's never lacked enough money to buy us grandkids pretty much anything we wanted. He was never a push-over but definitely a soft touch. Most of the respect that I have for Papa is because he stuck it out when he had every reason not to. Today those friends and family who had made fun of him when he first turned his back on the business world, are coming to him for help and counseling. The ones who told him he was throwing away the good life, are now realizing that money isn't everything. Even though he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dimensia for a year now, he's still the happiest man I know. In fact, I'll guarantee that if you were to ask him today if there is anything he'd of changed, the only thing he could say is that he wishes he'd gotten saved sooner. And that's how I want to live my life, with no regrets.