2008 winners of the ConstructMyFuture.com Scholarship

William Gumbert's essay

Specifically state the intended use for the scholarship if you are selected:
If selected, I would use the scholarship award toward my education at the Pennsylvania College of Technology located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. I have been accepted for the fall of 2008 to begin the two year heavy equipment technician program. I plan to continue my education for an additional two years to receive my associate degree in the heavy equipment operator program. After earning these two associate degrees, my goal is to earn a bachelors degree in technology management.

Why are you the best candidate for this construction scholarship?
Three years ago, I began a project to benefit my community. My goal was to clean up an illegal dumping site and turn it into a nature trail. The transformation of this area has been amazing.

Throughout this project I have worked with the Department of Environmental Protection, Planning Commission, Conservation Department, Fish and Boat Commission, the borough, a law firm, law enforcement and currently the Environmental Council and PA CleanWays. Many problems along the way had to be overcome. I learned about scheduling, budgets, deadlines, permits, documentation, organizing, planning and designing. The logistics for building four 28' to 35' bridges was daunting. Currently, 60 dump truck loads and 1,000 bags of garbage, three tons of scrap, 450 tires, and two 23' filled dumpsters have been removed. Including all construction of bridges, informational signs, picnic areas, benches and nature habitats, a total of 1300 volunteer hours have been invested in this project.

If I can accomplish my goal with the minimum amount of power tools, sweat, muscle and innovation, imagine what I could accomplish with the knowledge to operate and maintain heavy equipment. Using the leadership skills I acquired through my community project, I feel I am the best candidate.

Why do you want to pursue a construction related education and ultimately a career in construction?
By using the following short story I created perhaps I can convey to the Construct My Future Scholarship judges, my desire to pursue an education in the construction field.

I can imagine an early morning fog rising up from the ground exposing the mud drenched tires of a hard working piece of equipment. No one is around as I climb up into the driver's seat. The view from this vantage point is magnificent. Together, man and machine possess the magic to transform a drawing of lines and angles into the foundation of someone's dream home. The magic to move mountains in the name of progress. My hand reaches out to turn the key that brings this beast of burden to life. The thrill of holding the controls of all that raw power. The smell of diesel permeates the air. The roar of the engine as it comes to life. The first bite into the hard packed earth. No! The sickening sound of clanging steel as gears grind to a halt. Oh, to have the knowledge to place my hands inside the heart of this metal monster and make its pulse beat once again.

John Adam Lynch's essay

Specifically state the intended use for the scholarship if you are selected:
This coming fall I will be attending either Clemson University or Georgia Southern University to study and pursue a career in Construction Science and Management. Both schools have excellent construction programs that are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. If I am one of the recipients I will use the scholarship to pay for tuition costs at my school of choice.

Why are you the best candidate for this construction scholarship?
During my four years at Fort Mill High School I have taken four engineering and four construction courses. This semester I am a teacher assistant for a Construction Tech. 1 class. Construction is something I'm good at and enjoy doing. My freshman year I took a skills assessment that told me one of my strengths was strategic planning. My construction classes have proven that assessment accurate. I can look at a blueprint and immediately calculate the amount of lumber, framing, and length of time it will take to build the given structure. While I have construction knowledge I also have construction skill. My best days at school are the ones when I get to go to construction class and swing a hammer or cut some wood.

I am also experienced in the business end of construction. I am currently starting my third season at a theme park called Cedarfair Carowinds where I am a Juggler, Lifeguard, and Special Events Stage Hand. The theme park atmosphere is very similar to that of a job site. Operational hours are long, many things are going on at once, and safety is the top priority. Two years of working under the hot southern sun has showed me I have what it takes to make it all day on a job site. The park has also taught me the importance of hard work. In addition to working at Cedarfair Carowinds my brother Andrew and I own our business; The Lynch Twins Jugglers for Hire. We have performed in diverse venues and have been very successful. Co-Owning my own business has led to experience and knowledge in business skills that I can carry with me to the construction field.

My third engineering course was called Engineering Design and Development. During the course I designed a campus map system at the request of the principal. I drew the interior and exterior maps using Autodesk Revit software. Once the drawings were completed I went to three local graphics companies to get a quote for material and printing cost. I then presented my drawings and the three quotes to the principal. A graphics company called Fast Signs was chosen to print the maps. During the summer the maps were installed around campus. There are now four 4' x 8' exterior maps mounted on 4" x 4" posts at the campus entrances. There are seven 3' x 3' interior maps mounted to walls inside various campus buildings. This project gave me design and project management experience, and showed me the relationship between the engineer, client, and construction manager.

Why do you want to pursue a construction related education and ultimately a career in construction?
I will be pursuing a construction education and career for three main reasons. The first is that construction is something I love to do. Many of my friend's parents are miserable because they don't like their line of work. I don't want to spend eight plus hours a day doing something I don't enjoy.

The second reason is that the construction industry is a rewarding and important area of work with endless possibilities. The rationale behind this statement is obvious. Almost everyone lives, works, attends school, worships, eats, shops, and relaxes in a structure of some sort. Also, almost everyone drives on roads and bridges, receives power form power plants, and receives water from underground water lines. These modern connivances just didn't appear; someone somewhere had to build them. Construction professionals are the people who both build and maintain America's infrastructure. It's safe to say that the construction industry has made America what is, and will play a vital role in shaping her future. An education and career in construction will allow me to be part of something bigger than myself. I can imagine the pride and sense of accomplishment there will be when I am able to look up at a building and say, "I built that".

There is a third reason I am pursing construction. Construction skills allow a man to make an impact on people's lives. This past summer I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and used my construction skills to pour concrete floors in a church and a house. Now about seventy people will be able to worship on concrete, and a family will be able to live on concrete instead of mud.

Andrew Retzlaff's essay

During my junior year, my high school class received a visit from a Technical College representative who spoke of several programs. One career in particular stood out immediately. He talked about Diesel Technology and the role
it plays in transportation and construction. I
had not considered that previously, but it was
a clear answer to put together my interests in vehicles and equipment along with a hands-on career that I could envision spending years working in successfully.

I immediately pursued a more thorough college search and within a year I was accepted to South Central College's program for Diesel Mechanics and Hydraulics. In addition to diesel mechanics, I will also receive an education in hydraulic operations related to agriculture and construction equipment. I know this career will be a good fit for my skills and interests.

In past summer jobs, I worked at an ethanol plant during a construction project as well as with a residential construction firm building homes. In both situations, it became clear how critical it is to have equipment in good, working condition. When problems are encountered, it affects many people, delays timelines and can force projects to go over budget. I would like to be part of the "behind the scenes" workforce that ensures municipal, commercial and residential construction companies are working efficiently.

During high school, I fit in as many of the technical electives as my small rural high school offered. I received college credit in Small Engine Repair. My highest grades were achieved in Advanced Welding, Building Construction, Home and Auto Maintenance, Animal Science and Exploring Agriculture. I also spent my junior year of high school in a Work Experience program that allowed me to spend additional time at my job, an auto repair center, assisting the mechanics and maintaining a clean work area. I prefer an active learning environment and these classes allowed me to try several different skills so that I was able to consider them for the future.

Outside of the classroom, I have had an interest in working with gas powered remote control vehicles; it was something I started when I was in grade school. Now, I take care of my own vehicle's maintenance and also maintain my parents' vehicles as much as my skills allow. Whether it is a lawn mower or an all-terrain vehicle, I am happiest when I have something to repair!

In addition to the typical tuition, books and related college costs; I will be investing in mechanic tools before classes begin. This cost will vary from $4-6,000 depending on the tool quality. Throughout college, I expect to add to this investment as much as possible so I am ready to join the workforce with the proper equipment. This scholarship would be used for this purpose.

Thank you for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship!

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