My foster parents always saw something in me that I hadn’t recognized in myself before I met them. They would often tell me how smart and gifted I was, telling me that I was destined to become an engineer because of how my mind works. They asked if I had ever considered it, and I told them I never thought of it. I shared with them that my deceased father had been a mechanic, which naturally sparked my interest in that trade. They encouraged me to pursue engineering since I excelled in math and science and constantly questioned everything around me, always wanting to understand how things work. Growing up, I never truly applied myself, so I didn’t see my own potential. With their encouragement and support, I began to realize that I could achieve goals and overcome limits that used to seem impossible. I discovered how rewarding it was to put effort into something and witness the results. That feeling became a driving force in my life. I want to use my work to make an impact on those around me, whether through inventions or improvements that benefit others. I also hope to give back and help another confused soul find their way, just as my foster parents helped me. One of my lifelong goals has been to own a shop where I can work on projects. Now that I’m in school and have done more research, I’ve developed an interest in working with a team to bringing our ideas to life. I dream of showcasing our designs at expos or in front of a crowd and hearing the applause for something we’ve built together. I joined an automotive club at school as an electrical engineer. Through this experience, I hope to gain deeper knowledge of electronics and the circuits. I want to learn how electric motors work and how to achieve the most optimal performance without sacrificing other components like steering and handling. With the knowledge I gain from team leaders and peers, I hope to teach the new recruits in the future. Eventually, I would like an automotive company to see my potential and give me an opportunity to work on their cars. That would allow me to fulfill my dream of being both an engineer and a mechanic. Achieving that goal would not only make myself proud, but it would also make my foster family proud. Perhaps even my deceased parents would look down and see the man I am becoming, happy that I'm following in my father’s footsteps.