Having worked two years as a custodian at Cottonwood Elementary School scrubbing bathrooms, floors, pulling weeds and other glorious duties as assigned helped solidify my need for college. The opportunity to apply for this scholarship is greatly appreciated. My name is Sheldon Jacobson and I have examples of how I have given back to Fernley and also examples of how our community has influenced my career goals and ambitions. I will share my volunteering, leadership roles, and how growing up in Fernley and connections to people have influenced my career goals. I have volunteered with mainly school and parents work and their volunteerism. For four years I went to the Veteran's Cemetery in Fernley and cleaned, raked, and put out flags in preparation for the Veteran's Day ceremony. I worked alongside other leadership students to show our respect and appreciation for their service. Through my mom's work starting as a second grader through my freshman year I went with my mom to clean a local park and fill boxes of non perishable food items to help those in need at the food bank. I also help my dad as he is a volunteer instructor for the Nevada Division of Wildlife. I help by setting up and taking down the materials needed to cover the necessary curriculum, correct workbooks, and anything else needed. My dad was a principal for years which gave me access to the gym. I would organize open gym for 10-20 kids. I would open the gym, get equipment out and then afterwards I would sweep the floor and pick up garbage and water bottles left by the others so we could keep using the gym. We have flood irrigation in our neighborhood with the majority of water users being older users. I help my dad and two other guys walk the water down about a mile and a half of ditch cleaning it so the older neighbors can irrigate without flooding homes along the ditch. My career ambitions start with my love of basketball, putting in the practice time (as I mentioned previously having access to a gym helped), having my high school weights teacher push me and having incredible coaches and teammates through my high school career. Equally important was having parents willing to take me to AAU basketball practice and tournaments from second grade through signing a letter of intent my junior year. Signing at Oregon Tech is a relief and a blessing. Oregon tech has a great renewable energy program for which I am enrolled. While my math scores are not the greatest I hope to enter this ever growing field. My dad, as a county commissioner, has seen the solar energy in particular absolutely explode the past several years and it is through this growth that I have developed an interest in this area of study. As I drive around our community I see opportunities to expand solar projects. For example, on the rooftops of warehouses and in their parking lots doubling as shade structures. Growing up in Fernley has been a blessing, no doubt. It has provided a wonderful childhood, given me an opportunity to earn a college scholarship, help me plan out my next four years and line me out with a possible career path that will be an exciting and challenging chapter. This scholarship will help me purchase class materials and a computer. I appreciate your consideration. Respectfully, Sheldon Jacobson