Lowes Scholarship Essay

At Lowe’s, we believe that helping to build our communities is just as important as helping our customers build their homes. How have you helped to build your community? What lasting improvements have you made that you are proud of?

I have had the opportunity to help build both lives and homes, to reach out to those I have known as well as those I have not known. I believe that people who look for chances to exercise their abilities and then do so are the ones who will make the biggest impact in society. I have taken the initiative by seizing opportunities for leadership and service in my church, community, and work environment.

My local church has been a big source of avenues for service. I had the opportunity to lead my youth group under the supervision of our assistant pastor for six months through a study on how to study the Bible on your own. During this first opportunity for public leadership, I became more skilled at oral communication and overcame my fear of speaking in front of people. I have also been able to be involved in First Friday, an outreach group at my church. On the first Friday of each month, we go to the streets of downtown Macon in order to witness the gospel to those we meet. On these outings, I am learning to connect with people from various backgrounds and to empathize with their struggles in life.

In my community, I have served as the leader and counselor for 15-25 third graders in Good News Club, a ministry program for first through fifth graders at a local elementary school. While working with these children, I discovered how to respect people, regardless of their appearance, for their individual personalities and talents. Over the past three years, I have written the lessons for and led a weekly Bible study for a group of high school and college age young men. While we have progressed through four books of the Bible, I have been improving my study and presentation skills in order to bring lessons that reveal areas for improvement in all of our lives and solutions that will bring about those changes.

My work experience has also provided opportunities for me in the areas of leadership and independence. After building my own bedroom and its furniture at age fifteen, I ventured out as an entrepreneur. Because of my reputation for low cost and personable service, one man hired me to repair the damage from a ruptured water line in his master bath and repaint the exterior of his house. I was also able to put down laminate wood flooring in the office and two bedrooms of a gentleman who saw my ability to take on new tasks and still provide quality work.

Throughout my high school career, I have proven my dedication to putting others first through church involvement, community leadership, and work experience. First, my church participation has shown my desire to reach out to those around me. Second, I have demonstrated leadership and initiative in my local community. Finally, through my work experiences, I have learned to understand interpersonal relationships and work diligently without supervision.