I am a finance major and currently attend the University of Wyoming, where I have dedicated myself to my education by living on campus and attending in-person classes. My road to higher education has been modeled by experiences that have made a lasting impact on my character, work ethic, and will to succeed. I have taken full responsibility for funding my education since my parents cannot contribute anything financially. This has made me rely on money accrued from past and current jobs to pay tuition, housing, and other expenses. Although this financial constraint has been challenging, it has instilled in me the value of hard work, planning, and determination. The most trying time in my life was when my grandma passed away since it imposed a strain on my family emotionally and economically. Since then, I have had to work on our family ranch to help support my household. These busy times taught me resilience, personal responsibility, and how to rise to the occasion when needed. This experience also opened my eyes to the critical role effective money management plays in navigating life's uncertainties and inspired me to pursue a degree in finance. Throughout my education, I have held roles that developed my skills and work ethic, including construction inspection and physical labor jobs during the summer, and clerical work entering data into spreadsheets during the school year. As a construction inspector for the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), I contributed to the successful repair of a vital stretch of the I-90 highway which is an achievement I am proud of. This project required attention to detail, teamwork, and commitment, meaning it was particularly rewarding to contribute to a cause with such tangible benefits for my community. By working on campus during the academic year in a clerical role that includes basic data entry into spreadsheets, I can help further refine my organizational and analytical aptitudes. These roles have sealed my interest in finance, as they encompass precision and problem-solving abilities that are integral to the field. Other than academics and work, I am deeply committed to giving back to my community. I participate in campus-held philanthropy events at the University of Wyoming. These activities let me connect with others about contributing to meaningful causes and create a sense of unity and purpose. These experiences have taught me the values of resilience, service, and growth. They have motivated me to use my finance education in building a career that will not only guarantee my success but also create avenues for others. My dream is to leave a lasting positive impact by combining skills, education, and passion to serve my community and beyond.

My name is Johnavon Jones, and I am a senior at Sundance High School. I have been very active in my career as a high school student at Sundance. Ever since fourth grade, I set my sights on a degree in engineering. This choice in engineering stems from my fourth-grade teacher, Tammy Needham. I remember the day she pulled me aside and told me I should look into becoming an engineer. Due to my math skills, she awarded me the Math Award that year. I didn’t know what this meant or what an engineer did at the time, but as I matured, I agreed with her sentiment and decided to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. My desire to become an electrical engineer stems from my overall interest in engineering and technology. This passion has been cultivated through hands-on experiences such as building computers over the years. I often research different ways to improve my computer by changing certain components or optimizing various parts to make it the best it can be. My fascination with the intricacies of electrical systems and the potential for innovation in this field has driven me to become deeply invested in this discipline. I am also interested in hands-on activities, which I would get plenty of as an engineer. I have taken woodshop for all four years of my high school career because of my love of building things with my hands, and I have worked to build an entire kitchen island for my parents during that time. In addition to my time in the woodshop, I spent a year in my local FFA chapter, and at that time, I won two awards and was a leader during our monthly chapter meetings. I was an active athlete in my high school’s basketball team for three years. I decided to push myself outside my comfort zone during my senior year and played golf. I was a massive help to the coaches during practices and tournaments. During busy times, I took and led groups of younger players so the coaches could help kids who needed their assistance more. During high school, I was placed in advanced math classes and took the initiative to enroll in an optional 5th year of math to prepare myself for my degree. In addition to this math class, I have taken 30 credits worth of college courses, including College Algebra and other general classes that will be critical to my degree. Since I was 13, I have worked at Jones Ranch, my family's ranch, to keep things running smoothly. This most recent summer, I worked for FenceTech services that I held during the school year while also being able to focus on my studies. I have worked for six years to save money for college, as I am expected to pay for my college expenses by myself. With my degree in electrical engineering, I plan to pursue a career in the tech industry, where I can apply my knowledge and skills to innovate and contribute to the advancement of technology. I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and I am committed to making a positive impact in my chosen field.

After High School, I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Wyoming. My decision to become an electrical engineer comes from a passion for electrical engineering cultivated over the years through hands-on experience such as building computers and an interest in the field. I often research different ways to make my computer better by changing certain components or optimizing various parts of my computer to make them the best they can be. My fascination with the intricacies of electrical systems and the potential for innovation in this field has driven me to become deeply passionate about this discipline. To prepare myself for my journey at the University of Wyoming, I have reached out to electrical engineers I know of, asked them for advice, and ensured that this was a field that I am genuinely passionate about and ready to commit to. Once I start my academic journey at the University of Wyoming, I will be committed to dedicating my time to excelling in my coursework and securing valuable internships in the field of engineering. These internships are pivotal in bridging the gap between the theoretical knowledge that classes will provide and practical application. They supply an opportunity to understand the real-world challenges that engineers face and equip me with the skills to navigate these complexities effectively. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have outlined clear career goals for myself post-graduation. I aspire to join a leading tech firm where I can contribute meaningfully to their advancements. Ideally, I will be an electrical engineer for a company with a lot of status, such as AMD or Nvidia. This career choice is because I strive to make a difference, and the best way to do that is at a well-known company. In preparation for this, I have researched potential employers that align with my career goals. Companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Google stand out due to their positive work culture and commitment to meaningful tech advancement. This scholarship would help me attain these goals because, without any financial aid, I will, unfortunately, be unable to finish college. During the summer, I hold a job in which I save precisely 75% of my income so that it can be put towards my educational goals. I also strive to work as much as possible during the school year and learn how to pay for college in other ways. Although my parents work very hard to provide for me and my siblings, they are unable to pay for any college expenses that I may incur while at the University of Wyoming. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to focus more on my school work and strive to become the best student I can be without the stress of how I will pay for it.

Dear Scholarship Committee, My name is Johnavon Jones and I am excited to apply for this scholarship as it will help me pursue post-secondary education and achieve my goals. I have worked hard throughout high school and have maintained a 4.0 grade average throughout high school and achieved a score of 24 on the ACT. I plan to attend the University of Wyoming or another school with a higher engineering program to seek out a degree in computer engineering. My goal is to become a successful engineer not just for personal gain but to positively impact the lives of those around me. To prepare myself for post-secondary education, I have completed multiple college-level courses, including College Algebra and College Speech. Including higher-level courses, I am also an active member of my school’s golf and basketball teams. The money from this scholarship would allow me to pursue a degree without having to worry about how college will be paid for. This will allow me to appreciate my community more. One of the most important things to me is the concept of community engagement. One core principle I hold dear is that "you get what you give." This principle will be the driver of my business and how it gives back to the community. As my business grows, so will my contributions to my community and the people who need it most. My success will translate into opportunities and support for others. Receiving this scholarship would be life-changing for me. This financial support would allow me to focus more fully on my studies, without the constant burden of how I will pay for my education. My parents have already told me that they will not be paying for my schooling because the financial burden of their two other kids is too much. I have worked since I was 14 and have been saving up money to pay for school. Despite this, paying for school without any support will be impossible. Beyond the financial benefits, this scholarship would mean a great deal to me personally. It would be a recognition of the hard work and determination I have put into my education and also serve as a symbol of faith in my potential to make a difference. I will be committed to not only realizing my dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur but also to giving back to my community and making a positive impact on the lives of others. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity this scholarship presents. It aligns perfectly with my goals, values, and aspirations. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of being a recipient.