I am a student who believes in learning through hands on experience. While i agree that traditional academics are important, I have always felt more engaged and confident when I can work with my hands and create something physical that I can be proud of. Welding represents that to me which is why I hope to pursue a future in it. One of the experiences that has showed me how much I enjoy working with metal was the time when my friend Jake and I used scrap metal to build our own gym setup. We didn’t have access to equipment because its pretty expensive or legit professional tools, so we did was gather leftover metal pieces from bedframes and stuff and figured out how to turn them into something functional. It took planning, a lot of measuring, and problem solving. There were moments where things didn’t work the first time but seeing the finished gym setup and knowing we built it ourselves was an incredible feeling. That project showed me how skilled trades like welding are by turn raw materials into something cool and usefull. I’m drawn to welding because it combines creativity with precision and hard work. It’s not just about joining metal together, its more about the accuracy and pride in craftsmanship it takes to complete something that's worth telling a story about. Welding allows you to see the direct results of your effort which is something I find motivating. It also offers a clear and realistic career path for students who may not always do well in a traditional classroom but excel in hands on environments. Kevin’s story dose resonates with me because it shows how important career and technical education programs can be. Finding a passion through a CTE program gave him the confidence and pride in his work and that is something I hope to experience as well. I believe his story is a reminder that success looks different for everyone and that skilled trades can be life changing for students who are given the opportunity to explore them. This scholarship would help me continue developing my skills and receiving proper training in welding so I can turn my interest into a career. I want to honor Kevin’s memory by working hard, staying dedicated, and building a future through welding. With the support of this scholarship I hope to grow as a welder and build a stable and fulfilling career doing something I truly enjoy.

Accessing education hasn’t always been very easy for me. I’ve always wanted to do well in school but learning hasn’t always worked the same way for me as it does for most other people. One of my biggest struggles has been reading comprehension. Long readings and long bodies of text are hard for me to understand, and sometimes that made me feel behind and frustrated. Even when I tried really hard, it didn’t always show in my work. Over time, I learned that I understand things much better when I can see them visually or learn hands on. Once I figured that out, school became a little less stressful and I started to feel more confident in my work Because of my own struggles, I’ve become more aware of how school can be even harder for people who already feel different or excluded, including transgender and non binary people. Many of them face challenges that go beyond just schoolwork, like feeling misunderstood, not accepted, or not supported by the people around them. That can make it increasingly difficult and hard to focus on learning or feel comfortable at school. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported while getting an education, and it sucks to say that not everyone has that experience. I plan to use my education to help make things better for future transgender and non binary students by continuing my education. I want to learn how to be a leader and create spaces where people feel respected. Whether that’s through a future business, community programs, or the way I treat others, I want to help build environments where people can be themselves without feeling judged. Education gives people the ability to make change. With what I learn, I hope to support and help create opportunities for transgender and non binary individuals so they don’t feel limited by who they are. My goal is to help make sure they have access to the same chances to succeed as everyone else! My struggles in school taught me patience and empathy. It helped me understand that everyone learns differently and faces different challenges that everyone else may not see. By using my education in a positive way, I hope to help create a future where transgender and non binary students feel supported and confident in their ability to succeed. I also want to be someone younger students can look up to and feel comfortable asking for help.

I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship because it gives me the chance to find solutions that meet peoples real needs while also helping my community. Even as a high school student, I’ve started building businesses that make a difference in the community. I’ve resold pallets with my friend Jake to local businesses, offered services like snow removal, lawn care, and grill cleaning, and I’m currently working on launching a junk removal company. Each of these experiences has taught me practical skills like time management, problem solving, marketing, and customer service, but they’ve also shown me how small businesses can have a real impact on the people around us. These projects have fueled my drive to continue creating businesses that matter. In high school, I’ve been intentional about preparing myself academically to succeed as an entrepreneur. I took two entrepreneurship classes, entrepreneurship 1 and entrepreneurship 2, a stock market investing class, and accounting, and I earned all A’s in each of them. These courses gave me a strong foundation in financial literacy, business planning, and decision making, which I’ve been able to apply directly to my business ventures. They taught me how to think about budgets, investments, and strategy, and reinforced the importance of being organized and responsible. Looking ahead, I plan to give back to my community through entrepreneurship by creating businesses that solve local problems and provide opportunities for others. I want to develop services and companies that not only meet needs but also create jobs or mentorship opportunities for young people in my area. Growing up around my dad’s two salon businesses showed me how a business can positively impact a community by offering work, supporting families, and building connections. That example inspires me to build businesses that do more than make a profit, they improve the lives of others and help the community grow. My academic and career goals are focused on combining education with practical experience. I plan to study business and entrepreneurship in college to obtain more knowledge in areas like financial management, marketing, and small business operations. My ultimate goal is to run multiple companies that provide real solutions, create opportunities, and give back to the community that has supported me throughout my life. To me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about running a business, it’s about leadership, responsibility, and making a positive difference. By applying what I’ve learned in school and through hands on experience, I hope to come up with ideas that not only succeed financially but also strengthen my community socially, economically, and even environmentally.

In my eyes, being a good citizen means more than just following laws. It’s about being active, responsible, and contributing to the community in meaningful ways. Growing up, I learned this through small experiences that added up to bigger lessons. For example, I’ve done snow removal, lawn care, and even helped neighbors clean their grills. At first, I thought these were just simple jobs, but over time I realized they were ways of helping my community and building trust with the people around me. Being a good citizen is about noticing needs and stepping up, whether it’s in big ways or small ones. It’s about being reliable, respectful, and aware of how your actions affect others. Voting is one of the most important ways to practice citizenship on a larger scale. I’ve seen how easy it is for people to feel like their voice doesn’t matter, but voting is proof that every individual counts. It allows citizens to shape government policies, from local decisions about schools and roads to national issues like healthcare and the environment. Without voting, decisions are left in the hands of a few people, which can put our freedoms at risk. Voting gives everyone a voice and is one of the clearest ways we participate in keeping our nation free. It’s not just a right, it’s a responsibility. The Constitution is key of what it means to be a good citizen. To me, it’s more than a document in a textbook, it’s a guide that protects our freedoms, balances government power, and guarantees that everyone has a voice. Growing up around my dad, who owns two salon businesses, also helped me see the importance of systems and rules. Just like his businesses run smoothly when everyone follows policies, respects others, and works together, our country functions best when citizens respect the Constitution and hold leaders accountable. It’s a reminder that freedom isn’t automatic, it comes with responsibility, and everyone plays a role in protecting it. Good citizenship, voting, and the Constitution connect in one important way, they require participation and responsibility. Being a good citizen is about noticing what needs to be done and acting, whether it’s helping a neighbor or contributing to the democratic process. Voting allows us to make our voices heard and shape the future. The Constitution ensures that our rights are protected, but it only works if people use them and follow its principles. Through my experiences helping in my community and learning from my dad’s example, I’ve realized that citizenship isn’t just about what the government does for you, it’s about what you do for your community and your country. By staying informed, participating actively, and taking responsibility, I can contribute to a fair, free, and strong society while also learning how to make a real difference in the lives of others.