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SCHOLARSHIP recipients

About the Spirit Lake Community School Foundation

The SLCSF was founded in to provide financial support to enhance excellence in its educational programs and encourage post-secondary education by providing scholarships for graduating seniors. Since 1986, over $800,000 has been granted to graduating seniors for post-secondary education at 2 and 4 year colleges and universities. More than 1000 students have received scholarships.

Built for others scholorship

$1000 a year for 4 years

Built for Others is the belief that we are at our best only when we are committed to see and encourage the best in others. Great leaders give the most of themselves in order to bring out the most in others. In a culture that often values reward over relationship and teaches us to lift ourselves up, Built for Others seeks to model and teach humility, selflessness, character and personal growth. It is only through consistently giving our best effort that we are able to unlock our full potential. Funds for the scholarship are raised through an annual community golf outing.

Selection Criteria

Leadership, Character

Citizenship and Service to the School and Community

Student attending a College, University, Vocational, or Technical school

Built For Others Past Scholarship Recipients

Nancylynn Maris
2019 Recipient
Annika Stecker
2019 Recipient
Tessa Reed
2018 Recipient
Pressley Cochran-Bray
2018 Recipient
Lucy O'Hagan
2017 Recipient
Jacob Vos
2016 Recipient
Tyler Jenness
2016 Recipient
Jenna McCoy
2015 Recipient

Nancylynn Maris
2019 Recipient

Annika Stecker
2019 Recipient

tessa reed
2018 Recipient

Throughout high school, I chose to involve myself in activities and organizations that not only bettered myself as a person, but the community around me. Being built for others has a lot of different meanings to me, but the one that resonates with me every day is to be a better person in order to influence others around in a positive way. It reminds of Michael Jackson’s quote “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change”. I gave back to my community by raising funds in Youth in Philanthropy, expressed leadership in student council and athletics by being the best role model I could be, and created my own research based projects in J-term and volunteered in the Nogales Shelter and Grassroots in Oaxaca to help the less fortunate. Unlike many other scholarships, the Built for Others Scholarship is timeless. Of course, this scholarship has helped my family and I financially in which I am incredibly grateful for, but remains a constant reminder of the kind of person I should continue to strive for to make the world a better place, even after college.

pressley Cochran-Bray
2018 Recipient

This scholarship recognizes those who try their best every day to inspire and to love and and support the people they encounter and the community they live in. Being “built for others” is simply not just joining clubs or saying hi to someone in the halls, being truly “built for others” is about being committed to see and encourage the best in ourselves, in others and in our community. With this, comes leadership and willingness to put others ahead of yourself. Throughout high school I tried to display love, kindness and support to all I encountered. When I was in middle school, I had a point in my life where I faced death in the face and I had to fight to remain in this world. I experienced a beautiful kind of love and support from my community, friends and people I have never even met before. I quickly realized how a community can come together and make a young girl feel so incredibly loved and appreciated. Because of that inspiring kindness I received, I knew that I must live this life of mine for others. Coming into college first semester was a whole new experience, one that I didn’t quite expect. I came from a small community who knew me well and I built a reputation, however, in college you come in with nobody knowing who you are or your past experiences. I quickly found that to be able to make a change to inspire, you must remain true to your moral beliefs and remain true to yourself. Being a leader can be shown in many different ways, whether it is in a lecture class, in a club, in the community or even as simple as being the leader in your friend group. The Built for Others foundation taught me how to be that light when there is darkness and to always be the one who stands up when others are sitting down. By winning this scholarship, I knew I must continue to pursue excellence in all aspects that life throws my way, to remain to lift others up and to help inspire those all around me. I believe the life lessons I have been taught over the past four years have all added to who I am today, however, there is one particular saying that I hold very close to my heart, “We love others best when we love God most.” Because I am a Christian, I have a far greater purpose in my life. I must not just live for myself or for others but to live for God as well, to show God’s love to all I am encounter and to always be thankful for this life I get to live. I take with me all that I have learned, (yes including all the mistakes I have made), with me to press on towards the future with a smile on my face. No matter where this life of mine takes me, I will remain to be “built for others” in all I do. 

 

lucy o'hagan
2017 Recipient

Being ‘Built For Others’ is about truly putting others above oneself in all you do, and is a mentality that should be reflected in words, actions, and relationships with those around you, regardless of the situation or circumstance. It’s about service and a kindness that is underlying ones daily life. In high school and now on into college, adapting this ‘motto’ in everything from volunteering and community service, to classroom settings, and relationships with friends and peers has been vital and rewarding. This scholarship has helped me to dream as I’ve entered college, and for that I am very grateful.

Jacob Vos
2016 Recipient

I was blessed with many excellent opportunities during high school and I was able to work with amazing people. When you are placed into a great situation, it opens the door for amazing things to happen. Being a part of a process that was bigger than myself was inspiring and made me a better person. I was honored to receive the scholarship at the end of my high school career. Not only has the Built For Others scholarship helped me financially in college, but it inspired me to continue my work helping others. I have been involved in multiple volunteer organizations at Iowa State University. This includes helping plan a nine day service trip over spring break for Iowa State students. The values I learned during my time at Spirit Lake have spearheaded the projects I am a part of currently. I will most certainly continue to pursue the values that the Built For Others scholarship represents in the future. Being “Built For Others” is a concept that follows you wherever you go. I look forward to continuing to help others and do my part to live out the “Built For Others” lifestyle.

Tyler Jenness
2016 Recipient

My high school experience was heavily influenced by lessons and morals learned from the authorities in my life, primarily Jesus Christ and both of my parents. Fortunately, I grew up in an atmosphere where the adults in my life practiced a service-oriented attitude. So when I was coming into high school, I had already been exposed to what it looked like to humble yourself and give what you can, even if that gift is a simple smile and greeting in the hallway. Although I was (and still am) far from perfecting the “service attitude,” I was trying. I was trying to lower the blockade that is my pride so that I may learn and practice what I have been taught to do: serve. As I tried to carry those same high school principles and experiences along with me into the university setting, it proved to enrich my time in Iowa City as I was able to connect with a great group of people relatively early freshman year. It was an interesting transition from small town Spirit Lake where seemingly everyone has relatively similar ideals to Iowa City where I was confronted with a very diverse set of opinions, patterns of living, and cultures. growth. However, it was when I was confronted with conflicting beliefs and attitudes that I experienced the most personal growth. The values that this scholarship represents is what I intend to incorporate in my daily life for the remainder of my time on Earth. I was blessed enough to have mentors in my life, many of whom are from SLHS, that did not just “talk the talk”, but showed what it meant to serve. It’s no surprise that those same mentors are successful in their jobs, relationships, and sense of purpose. They are living examples of what I hope for myself in the future as I carry the Built for Others values with me forward, just as the mentors before me had done.

Jenna mccoy
2015 Recipient

In high school, I tried to take advantage of every opportunity. By recognizing that I was surrounded by fabulous teaches and students, I took every opportunity to engage. From sports, to music, to academics I gained skills that allowed me to grow as a person and become better at interacting with others. These activities taught me that this life is about more than just me. I learned that giving back, or being Built for Others, is about using your talents and passions to create a better world. Being the recipient of the Built for Other Scholarship has allowed me to pursue an education at the University of the Iowa. Here I have been able to deepen my education along with learning more about our world and the people in it. Receiving this scholarship has kept me connected to Spirit Lake and the values that I learned during my time in the school district. I strive to show my Built for Others spirit in Iowa City. My high school experience prepared me in more than academics to meet the rigors of college and living on my own.  The principles behind the Built for Others ideal are values that I hope to carry throughout my life. I was fortunate to grow up with an amazing foundation from Spirit Lake Schools, and I continue to stretch and grow through my college years. In the future, I hope to continue to put my passions to good working serving others. There is not greater skill than being able to improve someone else’s day. The values that were instilled in my during high school will continue to be a forefront in the days to come