Vo-Tech Scholarship Winners

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of the 2nd Quarter, 2008 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Richard Gunter. Richard is currently attending Arkansas State University and studying to receive his funeral services degree. Please click here to read an excerpt from Richard's winning essay.
StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of the 4th Quarter, 2007 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Alison Rae Young. Alison Rae T. Pier was born and raised in Guam and later moved to Hawaii with her family, where she graduated from high school. In 1998, Alison enlisted in the US Army Reserves as a diesel mechanic where she served until she entered active duty in 2002. Her fours years of active duty service includes a year-long overseas tour in the Republic of Korea and a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alison completed her military service in 2006 and has since decided to enter into the health care field in order to continue serving San Diego’s large and growing Veteran community. In January 2008, Alison graduated from the Nursing Assistant Training Program at Maric College in San Diego, California. Her education there allowed her to gain a California State Certification as a Nursing Assistant and she now works at the Veterans Administration Hospital in La Jolla, California as a Health Technician. Please click here to read an excerpt from Alison's winning essay.
3rd Quarter, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of the 3rd Quarter, 2007 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Jessica Young. "I’m currently a junior and double majoring in Graphic Communications and Integrated Marketing Communications. My current GPA is 3.9 and I’m working hard to maintain high grades. I’m an active member in TAGA, the Technical Association of Graphic Artists, and I spend a lot of time in our press shop working on jobs. I have experience in many different styles of printing ranging from lithographic to screen printing as well as several years of digital design for print and web media to back it up. I spend a lot of my free time working on computers with networking and hardware configurations. Another great hobby of mine is crafting. I’ve spent a lot of time learning new arts like needlepoint and painting. I also make many things with knitting and crocheting. Crafts give me another way to showcase my creative streak outside of printing and digital design. Scrapbooking allows me to show off all of my photography and gives me something to show off for years to come. Please click here to read an excerpt from Jessica's winning essay.
1st Quarter, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of the 1st Quarter, 2007 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Elliot Mummert. "I am from Johnston City, IL. and was the Valedictorian from the Johnston City High School class of 2007. I am a member of Mt. Zion Freewill Baptist Church in Thompsonville, IL. where I am a pianist for our choir. While in high school I had the opportunity to take advanced placement classes in mathematics and science. Besides taking AP math classes, I have applied the knowledge gained in class to successfully compete on the math team as well as the WYSE team. I have earned my pharmacy technician license and worked as a tech at J & S Professional Pharmacy in West Frankfort, IL. while in high school and during summer breaks. While in high school I was on the basketball and track teams for four years as well as playing the saxophone in band and keyboard in the pit orchestra for the choral productions throughout high school. I was the 2007 recipient of the John Phillips Sousa Band Award. Furthermore, I have continued to privately study piano since I was seven years old and have served as accompanist for local and state instrumental solo competitions. I am the Sunday school pianist for my church. I am currently a freshman at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. After finishing a degree in pharmacy I plan to return to my home town and establish a business of my own or work for another privately owned pharmacy. I also hope to continue to be involved with Johnston City schools music department. Music has been and always will be an important part of my life. I want to continue to share my love of music with others, especially young people. It is important to me that I return to my hometown and give something back to the community that has been very good to me." Please click here to read an excerpt from Elliot's winning essay.
StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of the 4th Quarter, 2006 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Rebecca Miller. Here are her stats: Rebecca Miller Denver, Colorado Life Partner--Brian Walsh Son--Max Miller-Walsh Engaged to be married April 2008 Full-time student, mom and homemaker Self-employed as a Body Shop at Home Representative Former Ms. Colorado United States Woman 2006 Former Ms. Colorado American United States 1999 B.A. Women's Studies/Sociology from CU Boulder A.G.S. Criminal Justice from Red Rocks Community College- Golden Loves to read, hit the gym, watch Little Bill and South Park with Brian, Superfriends with Max and General Hospital by herself Currently doing research on comfort touch, essential oils and Alzheimer's Disease--placebo, myth or reality. Mother has advanced Alzheimer's disease. 3 older brothers, one cat and two Hissing Roaches Please click here to read an excerpt from Rebecca's winning essay.
3rd Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of the 3rd Quarter, 2006 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Amber Cooper. She is an honor student at San Diego Mesa College. Please click here to read an excerpt from Amber's winning essay.

2nd Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2006 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Phuc Le. He is a Networking Technology student at Pasadena City College and is relatively new to the United States. Please click here to read an excerpt from Phuc Le's winning essay.

1st Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2005 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Blake Crockett .

"I am applying for this scholarship to pursue a career in automotive and diesel mechanics. This has been my passion, hobby and goal for the last four years of high school. The tuition for attending UTI (Universal Technical Institute) in Arizona will cost me $27,000 for the 16 month course. I plan on using this scholarship to help pay for my tuition." Please click here to read an excerpt from Blake's winning essay.

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2005 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Derrick Earvin, Jr.. Derrick is a student at the Motorcycle Mechanic Institute in Orlando, FL.

"I live with my wife in Kissimmee now while I attend school. I'm currently working at Tires Plus, and I do random side jobs working on motorcycles when they are available. I love motorcycles; they are my passion. Once I'm done with school I hope to work maybe in a shop while I gain more experience and then someday have my own shop."

Please click here to read an excerpt from Derrick's winning essay.

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2005 Vocational-Technical Scholarship is Nicholas Hentschel.

My impending technical education (in Computer Drafting/Design) will allow me to enhance, and make the most of, a long-underutilized talent and a natural urge to design and create, with far-ranging personal and career applications. I have ideas for clothing, tools, bicycles, cars and an array of inventions, among other things, all of which might come to something tangible, and ideally, useful to the larger world.

Please click here to read an excerpt from Nicholas' winning essay.

Larry was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised both in New York City and in New Jersey. Growing up, his parents stressed the importance of education, and so he was a very focused student. In addition to focusing on his education, he was a passionate athlete, playing both football and baseball. Larry attended Rutgers University and graduated with a BA in History in 1999. During college, he started a landscaping business in order to help pay for school and living expenses. Upon college graduation, he worked as a carpenter, tried his hand as a business analyst, and then, inevitably, returned to carpentry.

Please click here to read an excerpt from Larry's winning essay.

Prior Winners:
Whitney Ehrgott. Whitney will attend Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington where she will finish her Welding Degree (AAS).

Will you be the next winner? You can't win unless you apply. You can apply online now -- you might be our next winner!