For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Parker Gehrke

525

Bold Points

2x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, I am very thankful because no other trade has piqued my interest as much as welding. I loved this skill, that every time either a close friend, or family member was working on a project involving welding or manufacturing something out of nothing, I was right. My uncle and Grandfather taught me how to weld, they gave me a few little tips and tricks, and to have patience with my work, but also to appreciate the artwork of a weld. I had toured the A.W.I., campus in Eagle River and I could see the opportunities available to me. I was offered multiple opportunities from other tech colleges, but for some reason A.W.I. stuck out to me as the best college for me. I feel like I would be a good recipient for this scholarship, because it would ease the burden off of my mother who has raised me for the past 17+ years of my life, I want to help with college and my mother as well. The past 5-years, I have been working to help pay for most of my own things. I’m currently working on a dairy farm, working for such a demanding business has taught me never to quit. It's also taught me to keep pushing forward, it's instilled a great amount of discipline an turned me into a hard worker, but most importantly to keep coming back every day. I was working 10/12 hours a day, 7 days a week at the age of 17! This farm work has shown me that it's not easy getting up an going to work when everyone else is sleeping. It also taught me to get my hands dirty and not be afraid to learn new things, but also to appreciate what I have and who I have with me.

Education

Advanced Welding Institute

Trade School
2023 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Manufacturing Engineering

Assumption High School

High School
2015 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Trade School

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Construction Trades, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Welding

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Football

      Varsity
      2017 – 20214 years

      Baseball

      Varsity
      2015 – Present9 years

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Rubys Pantry — Help load food into the cars of receipents.
        2018 – Present
      Integrity within Construction Scholarship
      I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. I am very thankful I was introduced to welding because no other trade/skill of any other line of work has piqued my interest as much as welding has. I was taught mainly from my uncle and Grandfather on how to weld, they gave me a few little tips and tricks to be a good welder, and to have patience in my work, but also to appreciate the artwork of a weld. As a tradesman, my hope is to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living, while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part to not only welding, but in any line of everyday work. Being prepared daily, by wearing the proper welding gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Practicing good routines and not short-skirting the system also lowers the risk of casualties in the work environment to yourself and others around you. Someone that I admire for their work ethic is my grandfather. When he was younger and just out of high school, he worked at a papermill as summer help. He climbed up the ladder at the paper mill until he was appointed the position of “Maintenance Planning Supervisor of Shipping & Receiving”. He continued to work at the mill for many years, until his early retirement in 2007. Any challenge he is faced with, he will not let it beat him, he always finds a way around it or he reaches out to someone that can help him. At the age of 67 he still shocks our family on the things he does on a daily basis and how nothing can stand in his way. I found out over the years that I am a spitting image of my grandfather. I possess many of the same traits, work ethic and drive like he has, mainly because he was one of the greatest influences that I looked up to and have admired a lot growing up. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in paying for my college tuition for AWI, because it would ease the burden off my mother who has raised me for the past eighteen years of my life. She and I are planning to pay for my college tuition without federal funding assistance, so every little bit of money from scholarships will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated.I’m currently working on a dairy farm, working for such a demanding business has taught me never to quit even when the tuff times hit. It has also taught me to keep pushing forward this line of work has also instilled a great amount of discipline and turned me into a hard-working machine that does not stop until the work is finished, and most importantly, to keep coming back every day. For most of the summer until school started, I was working 10 to 12 hours a day at the age of 17, for seven days a week. This type of work has shown me that it's not easy getting up and going to work when everyone else is sleeping but I appreciated every minute of it and still do. This job also taught me to get my hands dirty and not be afraid to learn new things, but also to appreciate what I have and who I have with me.
      David Hinsdale Memorial Scholarship
      I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. I am very thankful I was introduced to welding because no other trade/skill of any other line of work has piqued my interest as much as welding has. I loved this skill, that every time either a close friend, or family member was working on a project involving welding or manufacturing something out of nothing, I was right there getting my hands dirty. I was taught mainly from my uncle and Grandfather on how to weld, they gave me a few little tips and tricks to be a good welder, and to have patience in my work, but also to appreciate the artwork of a weld. Over the past summer I got the opportunity to visit A.W.I., in Eagle River, WI. The experience was amazing. I got to tour their facility and I could see the opportunities I’d have becoming a welder and pursuing my dream career. I was offered multiple opportunities to go and visit other tech colleges that had welding classes but for some reason A.W.I. stuck out to me as the best school to tend to and complete schooling. As a tradesman, my hope is to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living, while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part to not only welding, but in any line of everyday work. Being prepared daily, by wearing the proper welding gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Practicing good routines and not short-skirting the system also lowers the risk of casualties in the work environment to yourself and others around you. I’m currently working on a dairy farm, working for such a demanding business has taught me never to quit even when the tuff times hit. It has also taught me to keep pushing forward this line of work has also instilled a great amount of discipline and turned me into a hard-working machine that does not stop until the work is finished, and most importantly, to keep coming back every day. For most of the summer, until school started, I was working 10 to 12 hours a day at the age of 17, for seven days a week. This type of work has shown me that it's not easy getting up and going to work when everyone else is sleeping but I appreciated every minute of it and still do. This job also taught me to get my hands dirty and not be afraid to learn new things, but also to appreciate what I have and who I have with me. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in paying for my college tuition for AWI, because it would ease the burden off my mother who has raised me for the past eighteen years of my life. She and I are planning to pay for my college tuition without federal funding assistance, so every little bit of money from scholarships will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated. We feel even if we struggle, it makes us stronger to succeed and not utilize any assistance programs to better ourselves. Therefore our community will see our perseverance and dedication to our careers.
      I Can Do Anything Scholarship
      I want to make a comfortable living while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities.
      Ben Bonner Memorial Scholarship
      Winner
      I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. I am very thankful I was introduced to welding because no other trade/skill of any other line of work has piqued my interest as much as welding has. I loved this skill, that every time either a close friend, or family member was working on a project involving welding or manufacturing something out of nothing, I was right there getting my hands dirty. I was taught mainly from my uncle and Grandfather on how to weld, they gave me a few little tips and tricks to be a good welder, and to have patience in my work, but also to appreciate the artwork of a weld. Over the past summer I got the opportunity to visit A.W.I., in Eagle River, WI. The experience was amazing. I got to tour their facility and I could see the opportunities I’d have becoming a welder and pursuing my dream career. I was offered multiple opportunities to go and visit other tech colleges that had welding classes but for some reason A.W.I. stuck out to me as the best school to tend to and complete schooling. As a tradesman, my hope is to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living, while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part to not only welding, but in any line of everyday work. Being prepared daily, by wearing the proper welding gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Practicing good routines and not short-skirting the system also lowers the risk of casualties in the work environment to yourself and others around you. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in paying for my college tuition for AWI, because it would ease the burden off my mother who has raised me for the past eighteen years of my life. Her and I are planning to pay for my college tuition without federal funding assistance, so every little bit of money from scholarships will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated. The past five years of my life I have been working to pull my weight and pay for most of my own things from this past summer to present. I’m currently working on a dairy farm, working for such a demanding business has taught me never to quit even when the tuff times hit. It has also taught me to keep pushing forward this line of work has also instilled a great amount of discipline and turned me into a hard-working machine that does not stop until the work is finished, and most importantly, to keep coming back every day. For most of the summer until school started, I was working 10 to 12 hours a day at the age of 17, for seven days a week. This type of work has shown me that it's not easy getting up and going to work when everyone else is sleeping but I appreciated every minute of it and still do. This job also taught me to get my hands dirty and not be afraid to learn new things, but also to appreciate what I have and who I have with me. Thank You for considering me for this scholarship opportunity.
      Bob Gana Memorial Scholarship
      I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. I am very thankful I was introduced to welding because no other trade/skill of any other line of work has piqued my interest as much as welding has. I loved this skill, that every time either a close friend or family member was working on a project involving welding or manufacturing something out of nothing, I was right there getting my hands dirty. I was taught mainly from my uncle and Grandfather on how to weld, they gave me a few little tips and tricks to be a good welder, and to have patience in my work, but also to appreciate the artwork of a weld. Over the past summer I got the opportunity to visit A.W.I., in Eagle River, WI. The experience was amazing. I got to tour their facility and I could see the opportunities I’d have becoming a welder and pursuing my dream career. I was offered multiple opportunities to go and visit other tech colleges that had welding classes but for some reason, A.W.I. stuck out to me as the best school to tend to and complete schooling. As a tradesman, I hope to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part to not only welding but in any line of everyday work. Being prepared daily, by wearing the proper welding gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Practicing good routines and not short-skirting the system also lowers the risk of casualties in the work environment to yourself and others around you. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in paying for my college tuition for AWI, because it would ease the burden off my mother who has raised me for the past eighteen years of my life. She and I are planning to pay for my college tuition without federal funding assistance, so every little bit of money from scholarships will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated. For the past five years of my life I have been working to pull my weight and pay for most of my own things from this past summer to the present. I’m currently working on a dairy farm, working for such a demanding business has taught me never to quit even when the tuff times hit. It has also taught me to keep pushing forward this line of work has also instilled a great amount of discipline and turned me into a hard-working machine that does not stop until the work is finished, and most importantly, to keep coming back every day. For most of the summer until school started, I was working 10 to 12 hours a day at the age of 17, for seven days a week. This type of work has shown me that it's not easy getting up and going to work when everyone else is sleeping but I appreciated every minute of it and still do. This job also taught me to get my hands dirty and not be afraid to learn new things, but also to appreciate what I have and who I have with me.
      Slater Miller Memorial Fund
      I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. I am very thankful I was because no other trade or any other line of work has piqued my interest as much. I was taught mainly by my uncle and Grandfather how to weld, have patience in my work, but also to appreciate the skills of a good welder. I toured A.W.I. in Eagle River, WI and I could see the opportunities of pursuing my dream career. As a tradesman, I hope to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part of welding. Being prepared daily, wearing the proper gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Someone that I admire for their work ethic is my grandfather. Just out of high school, he worked at a papermill as a summer help, come fall he was asked to stay on year-round. He climbed up the ladder until he was appointed the position of “Maintenance Planning Supervisor of Shipping & Receiving.” He continued to work until his early retirement in 2007. Any challenge he is faced with, he will not let it beat him, he always finds a way around it or he reaches out to someone that can help him. At the age of 67, he still shocks our family with the things he does daily and how nothing can stand in his way. As he has told me many times, he doesn't get up in the morning to work, he gets up to go play and get his hands dirty. I found out over the years that I am a spitting image of my grandfather. I possess many of the same traits, work ethic and drive as he has, mainly because he was one of the greatest influences that I admired growing up. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in paying for my college tuition for AWI, because it would ease the burden off my mother who has raised me for the past eighteen years of my life. She and I are planning to pay for my college tuition without federal funding assistance, so every little bit of money from scholarships will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated. For the past five years of my life, I have been working to pull my weight and pay for most of my things from this past summer to the present. I’m currently working on a dairy farm, working for such a demanding business has taught me never to quit even when the tuff times hit. It has also taught me to keep pushing forward this line of work has also instilled a great amount of discipline and turned me into a hard-working machine that does not stop until the work is finished, and most importantly, to keep coming back every day. For most of the summer, until school started, I was working 10 to 12 hours a day at the age of 17, for seven days a week. This type of work has shown me that it's not easy getting up and going to work when everyone else is sleeping but I appreciated every minute of it and still do. This job also taught me to get my hands dirty and not be afraid to learn new things, but also to appreciate what I have and who I have with me.
      Joe Ford Trade Scholarship
      1. Welding at Advanced Welding Institute in Eagle River, WI 2. I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. No other trade has piqued my interest as much as welding has. I was taught mainly by my uncle and Grandfather, who gave me a few little tips and tricks to be a good welder, to have patience, but also to appreciate the artwork of a welder. 3. I worked several “dirty jobs” throughout high school. I installed septic systems and worked on a dairy farm and a cranberry farm. These jobs tested me with long days, bush fixes and dirty, cold, wet work. I was expected to be quick efficient and give 100% all day and some nights. When equipment breaks, you’re not done…you have to fix it, to finish what you started. Therefore, working on skid steer tires, hydraulic lines, broken bolts, broken welds, welding axels on corn wagons and some days digging areas for drain fields where heavy equipment can’t go. It tough me that maintenance is just as important, as everyday work. 4. I have been accepted to AWI, Advanced Welding Institute in Eagle River, WI. I start in the fall of 2023, I plan to graduate with as many credentials as possible in February 2024. As a tradesman, I hope to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part of not only welding but any line of everyday work. Being prepared daily, by wearing the proper welding gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Practicing good routines and not short-skirting the system also lowers the risk of casualties in the work environment to yourself and others around you. 5. To pick one person to call would be difficult to choose. As they all have inspired, motivated and praised me growing up. Though collectively they would agree to say; “For a young man he is timely, efficient, a self-starter, he brings a good disposition to any job he is assigned to. He is also not scared to learn new things or be shied away from the messy parts of agriculture work. He is always willing to help others if need and can be counted on to complete any task. Not many young men are as driven as he is to succeed at such a young age. He has big dreams for a young soul, and does not settle for less than success.”
      Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship
      I was introduced to welding at the age of 13, which in my opinion is a young age to be introduced to such a skill. I am very thankful I was introduced to welding because no other trade/skill of any other line of work has piqued my interest as much as welding has. I loved this skill, that every time either a close friend or family member was working on a project involving welding or manufacturing something out of nothing, I was right there getting my hands dirty. I was taught mainly from my uncle and Grandfather on how to weld, they gave me a few little tips and tricks to be a good welder, and to have patience in my work, but also to appreciate the artwork of a weld. Over the past summer, I got the opportunity to visit A.W.I., in Eagle River, WI. The experience was amazing. I got to tour their facility and I could see the opportunities I’d have becoming a welder and pursuing my dream career. I was offered multiple opportunities to go and visit other tech colleges that had welding classes but for some reason A.W.I. stuck out to me as the best school to tend to and complete schooling. As a tradesman, I hope to become a traveling welder. I want to make a comfortable living while being a part of a company that offers room for growth and quality improvement opportunities. I feel that safety is a very important and crucial part of not only welding but in any line of everyday work. Being prepared daily, by wearing the proper welding gear, is imperative to the job and producing a quality product. Practicing good routines and not short-skirting the system also lowers the risk of casualties in the work environment to yourself and others around you. Someone that I admire for their work ethic is my grandfather. When he was younger and just out of high school, he worked at a papermill, come fall he was told that he would be kept on as a year-round employee. He climbed up the ladder until he was appointed “Maintenance Planning Supervisor of Shipping & Receiving.” He continued to work at the mill for many years, until his early retirement in 2007. Still to this day he gets up at 7 am and goes out to do miscellaneous work around the house or in his workshop. Any challenge he is faced with, he will not let it beat him, he always finds a way around it or he reaches out to someone that can help him. At the age of 67, he still shocks our family with the things he does daily and how nothing can stand in his way. As he has told me many times, he doesn't get up in the morning to work, he gets up to go play and get his hands dirty. I found out over the years that I am a spitting image of my grandfather. I possess many of the same traits, work ethic and drive as he has, mainly because he was one of the greatest influences that I looked up to and admired a lot growing up. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in paying for my college tuition for AWI because it would ease the burden off my mother who has raised me for the past eighteen years of my life. We are planning to pay for my college tuition without federal funding assistance, so every little bit of money from scholarships will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated.