Being a student in 2024 comes with its own challenges, especially being a senior in high school. My year has been dedicated to making money and creating connections with the people around me. With how expensive the cost of living is, I have had to put my free time into selling comics for my grandfather, or working at the thrift store down the street. Between the school year and summer break income has fluctuated and it's taught me to manage my own money and time. Finding connections has ended up with me being in the trades and applying early to be in a DEA (Dual Enrollment) program. This has set me up to be in an apprenticeship when I'm 18 and finish all my schooling by the time I'm 21. 

My teachers and peers all have experience and connections I can use to find a job with ease. I look to be a residential electrician, working for someone else for a few years then hopefully learning to build my own business. Another path I have found is into the air force to be a technician for helicopters and planes. With my family history, anything in the armed forces would be a good fit for my future.

I have had a forward mindset the last few years to afford a car I can use as a hobby. My vehicle represents my pride and the time I spend with my family and friends. Whether it be going out to car shows with my boyfriend, or modifying in the garage with my dad, it stands for the work I have put in and the effort I will continue to give. The challenge I face now is balancing working hours to school hours to afford gas. I consume a lot since I spend my free-time driving whether it's on a cruise or between my commitments.