I came to Alaska when I was 14, it's been 6 years of living here to forget how different life here is compared to Washington State. I was born in American Samoa and left for Washington State at the age of 4. People raised in Alaska and want to leave take it for granted, but it takes a lot to see how great of a thing you already have to actually see it. I've seen friends from Washington State during my childhood turn to gang affiliations, drug abuse, and working dead end jobs. It's crazy how media normalize it. I will be different. I'll do whatever it takes to escape what I was raised in. I won't let the chance my parents don't realize they gave me. One of the memories I have as a kid was when there was a flood that happened, I remember it being so bad that the whole village had to camp far up the mountains. We had one tent with a family of 6. I remember eating sardines in that tent as a toddler with my grandma and mother while my father and grandpa were outside. The heavy rain and wind pushed so hard the tent had to be held by my uncles and them. This is a memory that will be stuck with me forever. It motivates me, shows how easier I have it now. Keeps me humble and grateful for everything I have led to up to now. Although my family may be on the poorer side of the American standards. I say this is a blessing. So I want to make a change in my family to be the first to complete a college program. I will make sure not to be the last. My cousin Emmanuel Jennings, is currently enrolled in the A&P program at CTC UAF I will to get into. We made a goal that after we completed the program, we're gonna gain experience working for Airline companies such as Everts, Alaska Airlines , United or a private shop. After we have enough experience and saved enough money we are going to put a down payment for a plot of land, or buy an already built shop. We will start a shop that will specialize in Aviation and Automotive. I have friends who are experienced in the automotive part.We decided to call the shop USO Double AA, we want to be motivation for the Islands. This is a mere stepping stone for us.It took me a while to understand that knowledge is power. I've been using brawns most my life, doing hard labor jobs, without even thinking utilizing brain. You ask what drives me? The memories of being homeless with a family of 12. I wouldn't mind if it was just me, but I don't ever want my little siblings to experience that kind of life again.

What I learned about Alaska was how calm and peaceful it is compared to lower 48. The density of nature, the lack of people, this is what I love about Alaska. I came to Alaska when I was 14, it's been 6 years of living here to forget how different life here is compared to Washington State. I was born in American Samoa and left for Washington State at the age of 4. People raised in Alaska and want to leave take it for granted, but it takes a lot to see how great of a thing you already have to actually see it. I've seen friends from my childhood turn to gang affiliations, drug abuse, and working dead end jobs. It's crazy how media normalize it. I will be different. I'll do whatever it takes to escape what I was raised in. I won't let the chance my parents don't realize they gave me. One of the memories I have as a kid was when there was a flood that happened, I remember it being so bad that the whole village had to camp far up the mountains. We had one tent with a family of 6. I remember eating sardines in that tent as a toddler with my grandma and mother while my father and grandpa were outside. The heavy rain and wind pushed so hard the tent had to be held by my uncles and them. This is a memory that will be stuck with me forever. It motivates me, shows how easier I have it now. Keeps me humble and grateful for everything I have led to up to now. Although my family may be on the poorer side of the American standards. I say this is a blessing. So I want to make a change in my family to be the first to complete a college program. I will make sure not to be the last. My cousin Emmanuel Jennings, is currently enrolled in the A&P program at CTC UAF I will to get into. We made a goal that after we completed the program, we're gonna gain experience working for Airline companies such as Everts, Alaska Airlines , United or a private shop. After we have enough experience and saved enough money we are going to put a down payment for a plot of land, or buy an already built shop. We will start a shop that will specialize in Aviation and Automotive. I have friends who are experienced in the automotive part.We decided to call the shop USO Double AA, we want to be motivation for the Islands. This is a mere stepping stone for us.