My experiences with mental health have changed the way I see myself, the people around me, and the world as a whole. They have taught me that everyone is fighting battles that may not always be visible, and that strength does not always mean pretending that everything is okay. Sometimes, strength means admitting when you need help, giving yourself time to heal, and continuing to move forward.My experiences have also shaped my goals. I have learned that I want to build a stable, successful future for myself and my child. I want to continue my education, develop a career in automotive repair, and eventually become a business owner. There have been moments when life felt overwhelming, but those moments have made me more determined to create a better future. I want my child to see that difficult circumstances do not have to determine the direction of your life.Mental health has also changed the way I approach relationships. I have learned the importance of communication, patience, boundaries, and understanding. Instead of judging someone for how they react or what they are going through, I try to remember that I may not know the full story. I have also learned that protecting my own peace is important. Not every relationship is healthy, and it is okay to distance yourself from situations that negatively affect your growth.Most importantly, my experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the world. I have learned that people need compassion just as much as they need accountability. A person can be strong and still struggle. A person can smile while carrying something heavy inside. Because of this, I try to be more supportive and less judgmental toward others. Mental health has not defined my life, but it has helped shape the person I am becoming. It has taught me resilience, empathy, patience, and the importance of asking for help when necessary. I know there will be difficult days ahead, but I also know that I have the ability to keep growing, keep learning, and keep working toward the life I want.

My goal is to build a successful career in the automotive repair industry, earn my certifications, gain hands-on experience, and eventually become a business owner. I have been interested in becoming a mechanic since July 5, 2021, when I started working at Take 5. I enjoyed performing oil changes and learning how vehicles work, and I began teaching myself by watching YouTube videos and helping with repairs on family vehicles. Now, I want to take the knowledge I have gained on my own and turn it into a professional career.My first step is to enroll in an automotive repair program and complete the education and hands-on training necessary to become a qualified technician. My target is to complete my training within the next two years while working or finding part-time opportunities that allow me to gain additional experience. During school, I plan to focus on subjects such as diagnostics, electrical systems, brakes, engines, suspension, and preventative maintenance. I also plan to work toward industry certifications, including ASE certifications, so I can demonstrate my skills to future employers and customers.A major part of my plan is creating a realistic budget. My education and training expenses may include tuition, registration fees, books, tools, uniforms, safety equipment, transportation, and certification testing. I plan to apply for scholarships and financial aid to reduce the amount I need to pay out of pocket. I will also save money from employment and set aside a portion of every paycheck specifically for school and tools. My goal is to build a professional tool collection gradually instead of trying to purchase everything at once. Depending on my program and financial aid, I estimate budgeting approximately $3,000–$8,000 toward education, tools, transportation, and certification-related expenses.I understand that becoming a successful mechanic will not happen overnight. As a single mother, I have to balance my education, finances, work, and responsibilities as a parent. My plan is to create a schedule that allows me to attend classes, study, work when possible, and still be present for my son. If financial challenges make attending school difficult, I will explore additional scholarships, grants, payment plans, part-time work, and employer-sponsored training. If my original career path takes longer than expected, I will continue gaining experience through entry-level automotive positions while working toward my certifications.Within five years, I want to be an experienced and certified automotive technician with a strong reputation for quality work. My long-term goal is to become my own boss and eventually operate an automotive repair business. I want to build financial stability for my son and create a career that gives me independence and purpose. With education, budgeting, hands-on experience, determination, and the willingness to adjust my plan when obstacles arise, I believe I can turn my goal into a successful career. This scholarship would make a tremendous difference in helping me reach my goals. As a single mother, balancing school, work, and providing for my son can be challenging. Receiving this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial pressure.It would allow me to focus more of my time and energy on learning, gaining hands-on experience, and becoming the best automotive technician I can be. Most importantly, this opportunity would help me invest in my future and create greater stability for my son. I am willing to work hard, stay committed, and overcome every obstacle in my path. This scholarship would not simply provide financial assistance; it would give me an important step toward becoming a certified technician, owning my own automotive business, and building the successful future my son and I deserve.

My path toward automotive repair began on July 5, 2021, my first day working at Take 5 Oil Change. It may seem like an ordinary date to some people, but I will never forget it because it was the day I discovered a career that genuinely excited me. From my first oil change, I found myself eager to learn more about vehicles and how they work. What started as a job quickly became a passion. After work, I spent countless hours watching instructional videos and researching repairs so I could help maintain my family’s vehicles. The more I learned, the more confident I became. Although I have gained valuable hands-on knowledge through self-study and experience, I know that formal automotive training is the next step in turning my passion into a long-term career. I want the skills, certifications, and professional education that will allow me to become a highly qualified automotive technician. My journey has not been easy. I have faced significant obstacles throughout my life, including having to relocate after my home was affected by gun violence. More recently, I became a single mother just three months after giving birth to my son in 2023. Since the age of sixteen, I have been responsible for carrying my own weight and working hard to support myself. Today, I balance the responsibilities of raising a two-year-old child while pursuing my education and trying to build a stable future. One of my greatest challenges is financial hardship. My income is limited, and transportation is a constant obstacle. There are times when getting to work, school, or training programs requires careful planning and sacrifice. However, these challenges have never diminished my determination. I am willing to take public transportation, work hard, and make whatever sacrifices are necessary to achieve my goals. I am not looking for an easy path; I am looking for an opportunity. Beyond my career ambitions, I believe strongly in helping others. I have volunteered with local food banks and regularly donate to thrift stores. My son and I often spend time in downtown Portsmouth, where we make an effort to help individuals experiencing homelessness by providing meals, listening to their stories, and treating them with dignity and respect. These experiences have taught me the value of compassion, perseverance, and community service. Receiving the Autel Awarding Excellence Scholarship would help me begin and continue my automotive education by reducing the financial barriers that currently stand in my way. It would allow me to focus more on my training, earn industry-recognized credentials, and move closer to a career that I am truly passionate about. Most importantly, it would help me build a stable future for myself and my son. My goal is to become a skilled automotive technician with the knowledge and certifications necessary to succeed in the industry. I want to prove that determination, hard work, and resilience can overcome difficult circumstances. This scholarship would not only support my education—it would be an investment in a future technician who is committed to learning, serving others, and making a positive impact in the automotive field. Thank you for your consideration.

My path toward automotive repair began on July 5, 2021, my first day working at Take 5 Oil Change. It may seem like an ordinary date to some people, but I will never forget it because it was the day I discovered a career that genuinely excited me. From my first oil change, I found myself eager to learn more about vehicles and how they work. What started as a job quickly became a passion. After work, I spent countless hours watching instructional videos and researching repairs so I could help maintain my family’s vehicles. The more I learned, the more confident I became. Although I have gained valuable hands-on knowledge through self-study and experience, I know that formal automotive training is the next step in turning my passion into a long-term career. I want the skills, certifications, and professional education that will allow me to become a highly qualified automotive technician. My journey has not been easy. I have faced significant obstacles throughout my life, including having to relocate after my home was affected by gun violence. More recently, I became a single mother just three months after giving birth to my son in 2023. Since the age of sixteen, I have been responsible for carrying my own weight and working hard to support myself. Today, I balance the responsibilities of raising a two-year-old child while pursuing my education and trying to build a stable future. One of my greatest challenges is financial hardship. My income is limited, and transportation is a constant obstacle. There are times when getting to work, school, or training programs requires careful planning and sacrifice. However, these challenges have never diminished my determination. I am willing to take public transportation, work hard, and make whatever sacrifices are necessary to achieve my goals. I am not looking for an easy path; I am looking for an opportunity. Beyond my career ambitions, I believe strongly in helping others. I have volunteered with local food banks and regularly donate to thrift stores. My son and I often spend time in downtown Portsmouth, where we make an effort to help individuals experiencing homelessness by providing meals, listening to their stories, and treating them with dignity and respect. These experiences have taught me the value of compassion, perseverance, and community service. Receiving the Autel Awarding Excellence Scholarship would help me begin and continue my automotive education by reducing the financial barriers that currently stand in my way. It would allow me to focus more on my training, earn industry-recognized credentials, and move closer to a career that I am truly passionate about. Most importantly, it would help me build a stable future for myself and my son. My goal is to become a skilled automotive technician with the knowledge and certifications necessary to succeed in the industry. I want to prove that determination, hard work, and resilience can overcome difficult circumstances. This scholarship would not only support my education—it would be an investment in a future technician who is committed to learning, serving others, and making a positive impact in the automotive field. Thank you for your consideration