The Inside Self-Storage Scholarship Program, initiated in 2001, awards five $2,000 grants to students closely affiliated with the industry. Participants must be at least 17 years old and are required to work in the industry or have immediate family members employed by self-storage or related companies. The funds can be used for tuition at any accredited college or university, and can be used to study any designated field. This year’s scholarship winners demonstrated an outstanding commitment to completing higher studies and a determination to succeed.
Kristy Clark, Lakeside, Calif.
Clark participated in several organizations to help improve the life of others. She coordinated Box Tops for Education, helped rebuild a home destroyed by fire and set up and ran a Halloween carnival during 2003 Firestorm, the largest fire in California history.
Clark’s role model has been Ann Marie Wellhouse, her biology teacher and founder of her high school. Wellman’s enthusiasm for her subject led Clark to discover her own passion for science and math. Clark credits Wellman with being the catalyst that gave her a clear direction for her college major. While in the ninth grade, Clark took her teacher’s suggestion and attended an open house at San Diego State University where she "fell in love with the mechanical engineering department." Some day, she is hoping to use her knowledge to develop a flying car.
James Cruso, Westerly, R.I.
While in high school, Cruso worked for Granite Storage, a facility owned by his father. For the past four years, he has been a member of the honor roll. He was also awarded a letter in three varsity sports and has appeared in several school plays.
"My community is a substantial part of my life," Cruso says. He is head of the Character Education Committee, an organization at his high school that holds fundraisers to benefit needy families. He earned 30 hours community service refereeing at the local YMCA. In addition, he helps during the annual Westerly Library Book sales and participates in the Westerly Chorus.
Although he has not chosen a university yet, Cruso’s ambition is to obtain a degree in civil engineering with a major in business and real estate. He embraces the positive attributes—dignity, pride, courage and self-respect—of his mentor and father to guide him in his life and career.
Regina Olsen, Vashon Island, Wash.
Despite a busy schedule, this single mother of a son in college has managed to take continuing education classes. She has almost completed her associate’s degree and will be transferring to Washington State University to complete her bachelor’s in business administration with a major in management and operations. "My particular interest is ethics, and I would like to eventually pursue a master’s degree in the field," she says.
Olsen is a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the Phi Theta Kappa Society. She loves outdoor activities including hiking, camping, gardening and horsemanship. She assists with the Vashon Island Adult Riders Association, which organizes fundraisers for the benefit and stewardship of Paradise Ridge Park, one of the last equestrian cross-country jumping courses in Washington. She also volunteers for the Vashon Maury Cooperative Preschool, Vashon youth baseball and the local Boy Scouts of America troop.
"My single most important accomplishment in all three groups was setting up a scholarship fund for those children who could not afford dues, equipment or camp fees," she says.
Darby Owenby, Eufaula, Ala.
Owenby, a licensed engineer in five states, has worked in self-storage construction for 10 years. Recently, American Buildings Co. (ABC), the company where he works, was purchased by Nucor Corp. When Nucor upper management visited ABC, Owenby noticed they all held engineering degrees and an MBA. He realized his potential with the company was almost unlimited if he furthered his education and added MBAs to his resume.
The storage veteran has already contributed to the technical improvement of the industry. He was part of the team that helped develop and refine SS-20’s patented tube steel construction system.
Although Owenby says caring for his two young daughters is foremost in his life, he finds time to serve his community and church. His mentor is friend Jack May. May’s daughter was an Honor Society member and head varsity cheerleader. Owenby believes May’s philosophies and outlooks as a parent directly contributed to his daughter’s success. Owenby says he has adopted May’s positive influences to shape the way he raises his own daughters.
I firmly believe that one of the best impacts I can have on society is by doing my best to ensure that the children I raise become responsible and compassionate members of our future society, he says.
Martha Howard, Provo, Utah
Howard is actively involved in her community and church. She has volunteered for several organizations including Hawk Ridge, a therapeutic riding center that helps handicapped children improve mentally and physically through riding horses and contact with other animals. She is also a volunteer with Mama’s Hands, which feeds and clothes the homeless, and House of Hope, a recovery house for abused women.
"One of the things I am most passionate about is international development and improving the living conditions in impoverished countries," Howard says. Next summer she is planning to travel to Africa to gain firsthand experience of the conditions in an underdeveloped nation.
