I first became interested in auto/engine repair at age 16. Our high school offered welding and auto classes, and for once I wanted to go to school. To help support pursuit of my interests, my parents “let” me buy an old welding machine though I found engines to be more interesting due to the problem solving and trial and error aspect. This led to bringing home free curb-side lawn mowers, snow blowers, and eventually modifying my bicycle with an engine and then a bigger engine! I spent the Summer after my Junior year working at Valvoline doing oil changes, then Fall at Farm and Fleet in the Auto Department though couldn’t work on small engines until I was 18. I was able to graduate early in January, and then secure 20+ hours/week working at Subaru service and solidify my interests. My parents gave me 1/3 of the garage and bought me a tool chest for graduation. I have since taken over a bit more than that and a good portion of the driveway! Some of my income went on purchasing an old farm truck 2002 Silverado to work on. I found a matching replacement door, changed the oil, replaced the tires, and swapped out the fuel injector. It was so rusted, that I need to cut a hole in the bed to get to it. This was all done with online research patience, and much trial and error. In the end, I ended up taking the entire truck apart and sold it for parts getting more than I bought it for! This was probably the best learning experience I have had thus far. I have just completed my first two weeks at Madison College Medium Heavy Diesel program. My skilled trades education will give me the technical knowledge, safety training, and help me stay up to date with the constantly changing newer vehicle technology. Ultimately, I want to be financially independent, dependable in my trade, and proud of the work I do every day. The Autel Awarding Excellence Scholarship will help me pay for tuition and other costs of living. I overcame some mental health issues over the past few years, and my parents think it’s best that I focus on just school until next year when the program offers paid internships. It’s been 10 years since my older brother committed suicide. He was 20, I was 8. This caused some big bumps along the way for myself and my family, and I feel fortunate to have finally found my path towards auto. For my long-term future self, I know that diesel and auto work will always be part of my life. Even though I am only 18, I know that I have “fuel injected power” to keep me working with my hands, solving problems, and seeing the results of my work every day. I want to be in an environment where I can continue improving my skills and take on more advanced repair as well as maintain a workspace to tinker and grow ideas. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

My passion for the automotive industry started when I was 16, working on small engines and anything I could get my hands on. What began as curiosity quickly turned into something more. I started bringing home free curbside lawn mowers, modifying my bike with an engine—and then a bigger engine—and spending hours figuring out how things worked and how to fix them when they didn’t. I realized early on that I enjoyed the challenge of diagnosing problems and the satisfaction of getting something running again. I didn’t always feel motivated in school, and I struggled at times with direction. That started to change once I found something that actually interested me. My high school offered welding and auto classes, and for the first time, I wanted to be there. I was drawn to the hands-on problem solving and the process of figuring things out. That interest kept growing the more time I spent working on engines. My parents saw that shift and supported it. They gave me space in the garage and helped me get started with tools. I was able to graduate early in January and started working in the service department at a Subaru dealership. My hours are 6:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., which some people questioned, but for me it’s been easy because I actually like going to work. Every day, I try to learn something new and improve my skills. This experience has made it clear that this is the path I want to continue. Of course, most of my paycheck goes right back into a project. I bought a 2002 Chevy Silverado farm truck that needs a lot of work, including fixing the door lock, changing the oil, replacing the filters and tires, and swapping out a fuel injector. Along the way, I picked up habits like staying organized and paying attention to detail, but more importantly, I realized this was something I genuinely enjoyed. My goal is to become a full-time diesel technician and earn my ASE certifications. I plan to continue working while attending Madison College in the Medium/Heavy Diesel program this fall. I’m especially interested in diesel systems and advanced diagnostics, where there’s always something new to learn. The automotive industry fits me because the work is hands-on, and your effort shows in what you do. Beyond my own career, I also value the community side of the automotive industry. People like Chip Miller helped build a culture where enthusiasts, technicians, and learners come together through shared passion. As I grow in this field, I hope to contribute in that same way—whether by helping others learn, sharing knowledge, or finding better, smarter ways to solve problems. This field has given me direction and confidence. I want to continue building a career where I can keep improving my skills, solve real problems, and do work I’m proud of.

As I move into "adulting", phrases like "work-ethic" have more power. I previously thought it was showing up and doing the work even when you didn't want to. But there is more to it than that. It also involves care and passion about what you are doing. Over the past couple of years, I have found my calling in the automotive industry. I did not have passion about high school and definitely struggled with motivation and reliability. I first got interested in mechanics when I started working on small engines at 16. Our high school offered welding and auto classes, and for once I actually wanted to go to school. To help pursue my interests, my parents “let” me buy an old welding machine though I found engines to be more interesting due to the problem solving and trial and error aspect. This led to bringing home free curb-side lawn mowers, modifying my bicycle with an engine, and then starting employment in the fields. My parents began to see this ethic and encouraged it. They gave me space in the garage and helped me buy some tools. I bought an old farm truck 2002 Chevy Silverado and on my own have fixed the door lock, changed the oil, replaced the tires, and swapped out the fuel injector. But I also find myself cleaning and detailing the interior, organizing my tools, and taking pride in my work. My definitely of ethic also includes things like this. I was able to graduate early, in January, and now truly understand the word. I am now working at the service department at a Subaru dealership with the hours of 6:45am-12:30! My parents were concerned about the hours, but for me, it was easy as I absolutely love it! Every day, I try to do my best, learn something new, and connect with others. Work ethic allows you to excel at your job, earn a paycheck, earn respect, and earn pride. Discovering automotive mechanics gave me structure, purpose, and confidence. Automotive work has allowed me to "find" work ethic. In the Fall, I will be starting at Madison Area Technical College in the auto-med/heavy diesel program. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.