My Grandfather's Legacy
Why I Want to Be a Mechanic

By Ruth, 18
"By Girls, For Girls" National Advisory Committee member

Answering the "what do you want to be when you grow up" question is hard for some. Like my sister—she changed her mind once a week! First, she wanted to be a teacher, then an astronaut, and the next month she wanted to be in the military. But not me; since I was a young kid, I've always known what I wanted to be! I pretty much made up my mind at an early age that I wanted to be a mechanic like my grandpa.

Doing His Own Thing

My very Italian great-grandfather Joe expected his oldest son (my Grandpa Nick) to take over the family farm but my grandfather had different plans. He chose to go into the military during the Korean conflict instead.

When he got out of the service, he met a man named Mr. Cook who mentored my grandfather in the field of boat mechanics. He worked for Mr. Cook for a number of years and then bought the business from him. Grandpa Nick ran the business until his retirement and was a very respected man in the boating community. He was such a good mechanic that he was sometimes called to testify in court hearings that involved engine forensics.

Early Memories and Engines

Grandpa Nick was one of my main role models growing up. When I was four, he taught me to drive a tractor. When I ran straight into a huge pine tree, he didn't yell at me, even though he had a hot temper. I knew he'd be upset so I cried really hard so he wouldn't yell.

I developed a passion for speed when he taught me to drive snowmobiles. Between tractors and snowmobiles, the love of engines was easily passed down to me. I can't think of anything nicer than the roar of an engine and the smell of exhaust.

Lessons and Loss

My grandfather asked me every once in a while if I wanted to start learning about engines. I would tell him, "Aw, Grandpa. I got plenty of time for that. I'm just a kid."

Tragically, my grandfather was killed in a truck accident, so he never got to share his knowledge with me. He was a respectable man who I am proud to call "Grandpa." Now I realize that when a loved one offers to share their time and experiences with you, you should always take it because there is no time like the present.