It has always been a dream of mine to become successful, have a family, and be able to support my family back home. having a good job can help me with that goal but in order to get a good job I must obtain the proper knowledge to be able to do that job and just overall make it in life. Life hasn't always been easy but that's what you learn about it. Life is not easy, it's not sopose to be though. The experinces you go through help to shape into whom you become, and it's up to you to decide the path you go down. You have to find ways to make it better and continue to grow. Growing up I have lived with my Mother and three younger brothers. Enjoying sports and other extra curicular activities like 4-H and FFA. Recently our family home burnt down in the middle of the night causing us to lose everything and have to start from scratch with our lives. Life has very much so been a struggle the past months, but non the less we must continue to push past this burden and continue on with our lives. As I am an upcoming graduate of 2025 I plan to attend Lincoln College of Technology in Grand Prarie, Texas. Going for HVAC maintanence. Always going out to the ranch to hang out with my grandpa, he has tought me a lot of valuable things, all the way from changing tires to things like installing air conditioning units. Working for my school every summer for the past four years I have also gained a lot of knowledge on things such as exaust fans, comercial fridges, and fire alarm systems and things of that nature. I quite throughouly enjoy working and learning things to embetter my knowledge as that is something you can always have and never be taken away from you. I believe that going to school to become an HVAC technician will help me in conquering that life long aspiration of becoming succecful and being able to support my family. As it is a job with multiple oppurtuntities. I like work that involves new problems and having to use different thinking abilities. What better field than a HVAC technician. I believe the HVAC industry is one of the many industries that is always looking for workers as our world is always growing and advancing there is need for people who can work this field of line. As jobs are starting to be taken over by artificial intelligence I believe that AI will help to enhance efficiency, automation, and help with diagnostics. While still requiring technicians for maintenance and repairs.

My name is Tagon Lopez I am the oldest child followed by three younger brothers. Living with our mother in a little town named Roy, New Mexico. and I am a high school senior. I play a multitude of sports including basketball, football, and track & field. I plan to attend Lincoln College of Technology and earn a certificate in HVAC maintenance and work to serve the people and their needs. After reading about Jack Terry's story the one thing that sticks out to me most is how he was able to go through so many hardships in his life and be able to continue pushing forward through those times. Making himself into something and feeding himself with something nobody could ever take away from him, his wisdom and strength. Jack Terry's story reminds you that no matter how hard your life is or what hardships you are going through, just keep pushing and sooner or later you will be doing a lot better as long as you keep putting in the work and effort. Life is always full of opportunities it's just a matter of taking them. When it comes to thinking about the adversity I've had in my life I can think of countless times but the biggest one I've had is just recently. January 20 of 2025. Our home caught on fire in the middle of the night from our guess, a wall heater. It was negative eight degrees that night. One of my younger brothers had got a phone call from a friend that had woke him up. When waking up he realized his room was smokey and came to wake me up. We looked towards the back of the house seeing nothing but smoke. Running outside I saw the back side of the house engulfed with flames. My first instinct was to try putting it out but with the freezing temperatures, I was unable to spray water on it. The fire grew smokey and hot fast, leaving us no time to grab our personal belongings or anything for that matter. I had two pet reptiles. A ball python, about 2 years old, did not survive due to the smoke getting into his lungs, And my bearded dragon, about one year old, did survive. By the time the fire department made it over to our house, it was almost completely eaten in flames. The efforts made by the firemen were no match for the freezing temperatures and the roaring fire. With the water from the hoses freezing immediately. The rest of the night me and my neighbor just watched in disbelief as the flames grew and the walls trembled down. I couldn't sleep that night as the realization sat in and I started to ponder about what had happened and everything lost, from the things I worked so hard to purchase, all the way to medals and ribbons from past awards. None the less we lost just about everything. Everything but our pride and family love. We have stuck with one another through our hardship enabling us to make the best out of our situation. Having trouble looking for a home we are currently staying at my mom's work which is a Sundance INN apartment/hotel, her boss was kind enough to let us stay here paying rent of course but in the meantime, we will continue to live our lives and move forward from this hardship. I plan to use my studies to gain a job in the HVAC industry and serve the peoples needs aswell as help my family out as best as I can.

The Importance of Trades The vital contribution of skilled trades such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work in today's society should not be underestimated. These jobs guarantee that our infrastructure stays operational, secure, and pleasant. The trades have a direct impact on our quality of life. A position in the trades typically requires specialized training and specific skills to be acquired through methods other than obtaining a bachelor's degree, like certification. Every day, the significance of trades is being challenged, but the reality is that trades are among the most crucial professions worldwide. The trades comprise five primary industry sectors: agriculture, construction, industrial, motive power, and service. Without these sectors, there would be a gap in economic progress, as they are the foundation of what we have today. Expertise in various trades is crucial in upholding the fundamental requirements of society. An excellent illustration of this would be plumbers and electricians. Plumbers work to guarantee our access to clean water and proper sanitation, which are essential for public health and hygiene. According to People Ready Skilled Trades (2024), the average American household consumes 82 gallons of water daily, highlighting the vital role plumbers play in providing us with easy access to this resource. Electricians have the job of ensuring that our lights stay on and our appliances keep running. They ensure that home and building electrical systems are safe and operating correctly. They perform various tasks, such as installing wiring and lighting, rewiring equipment, and troubleshooting electrical issues.  When it comes to economic impact, the skilled trades industry has a substantial influence on improving our economy as a whole. The construction sector made up around 4.3% of the U.S. gross domestic product, worth 1.36 trillion dollars at the end of 2020, highlighting its significant role in promoting economic growth and stability (People Ready Skilled Trades, 2024). Still, there is a growing need for skilled workers who can offer job security and stability in an unpredictable job market. Similarly, with the aging of the workforce, numerous experienced workers are approaching retirement age, creating a critical talent shortage that new industry entrants are filling. As the need for workers in skilled trades grows, it opens up numerous chances for newcomers, with many roles offering good pay and room for advancement. Feeling fulfilled personally is a result of dedication and drive in skilled trades. It is another crucial element of their significance. Many tradespeople feel a sense of satisfaction in their work, often producing concrete outcomes that are visible and personally felt regularly. In contrast to working in an office, where the results of your work might not be physical or easily seen, skilled trades provide tangible achievements, whether it be an impressively designed structure, a properly working plumbing system, or a complexly interconnected electrical arrangement. Moreover, the satisfaction derived from solving issues in trades can be highly rewarding. Trades frequently demand critical thinking abilities and innovation since workers must work diligently to create solutions for distinct problems. This element of skilled trades brings excitement and satisfaction to the job, allowing people to cultivate a solid sense of self and direction in their professional lives. In summary, the significance of skilled trades in today's society is undeniable. They are essential for economic stability, community growth, job security, and personal satisfaction. Encouraging young people to consider skilled worker pathways as viable career options is crucial as the demand for such workers increases. Society can enhance individual well-being and strengthen the economy by highlighting the importance of skilled labor. Investing in the future of trade is also investing in the future of society, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and community prosperity.