Aug
28

2023 EZstorit Scholarship Recipients

As an industry leader in affordable self-storage marketing, we are proud and honored to be able to give back to others. In addition to giving back to local and national non-profits, it’s our scholarships that go directly to students that we are most proud of.

Each year, our scholarship committee goes through the difficult task of reviewing the hundreds of scholarship submissions, this year was no different. It is truly amazing to see the caliper of students who apply for both our scholarships: EZstorit Self-Storage Employee Scholarship and the EZstorit Get Ahead Scholarship.

EZstorit Self Storage Employee Scholarship

This year, for our EZstorit Self-storage Employee Scholarship, two students stood out: Dora Howe from Canadian Mennonite University and Demarcus Crawford from North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University.

Dora Howe

Dora Howe has been working at Access Storage in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada since high school three years ago and is a third-year student pursuing her degree in Social Science.

In addition to her studies at Canadian Mennonite University, she is a student navigator, assisting first year students acclimated to university life.

Growing up, Dora witnessed how little support those falling on hard times, especially children, receive. Witnessing this from a young age has inspired her to be a changemaker and make a difference for others.

Sometimes, self-storage customers are facing some difficult times that are often stressful and Dora has welcomed them with compassion. “The opportunity to interact with people of all walks of life, during some of their most stressful moments has given me the opportunity to be a smiling face, offer encouragement, and ease some anxiety. Although those moments are often some of the hardest, they are also the most rewarding”, states Dora.

Dora’s plans in addition to her studies include volunteer work next summer and continuing her work towards helping others. Dora is excited about her future, and we wish Dora all the best.

Demarcus Crawford

Demarcus Crawford currently works part-time at AAA Self Storage in Greensboro, North Carolina and as an educator. Demarcus is pursuing his master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling on a School Counseling Track at North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University.

Having grown up in the public school system in Baltimore, Maryland, Demarcus defied the odds and is the first in his family to graduate college.

Demarcus knows firsthand the challenges of students from lower income families. “I do not allow my past to define who I am or who I want to be. This is the lesson I want to emphasize when I go into the school system” says Demarcus.

Demarcus hopes as a school counselor to be a “change maker” with new ideas and innovative ways to help all students regardless of income, find the resources to pursue higher education to achieve their dreams and goals.

Demarcus currently volunteers with mentoring Mentors where he helps students with study skills, homework help and adjusting to life after high school. This experience will be an asset when he is a school counselor.

Demarcus has high goals to sit on the board of directors of the American School Counseling Association where he can work for changes needed in the schools. We are honored to be a small part of Demarcus’ academic and future success. We wish Demarcus all the best.

Giving back to the self -storage industry is our honor here at EZstorit. We can offer these scholarships because of our growth and the loyalty from our storage partners.

EZstorit Get Ahead Scholarship

It is a privilege to announce the recipients of the 2023 EZstorit Get Ahead Scholarship: Layla Bagwell from Boise State University and Morgan Williams from Elon University.

Layla Bagwell

Layla Bagwell, a junior at Boise State University studying Social Work with a minor in Spanish. Layla has always felt it was a life passion to advocate for those not given a voice. Layla has worked with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence for 5 years helping and empowering teen survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, Layla’s works on prevention efforts to ensure that the impact of teen dating violence ends in the future. Another passion with working with local organizations on national campaigns to effect change not only on a community level but on a broader level.

Friends and family describe Layla as “obnoxiously passionate”. This passion drives Layla in pursuit of Social Work and volunteering to help others.

As a first generation American with family from Egypt, Layla finds passion and joy in connecting to people and giving marginalized communities a voice and connects with her ancestors.  When Layla is not business with school or advocating for others, Layla enjoys thrifting, writing poetry and giving astrological readings.

Morgan Williams

Morgan Williams, a College Fellow and Public Health and Environmental Studies major at Elon University with hopes of an internship in rural India learning about public health policy and its implementation from a local hospital.

Majoring in earth and environmental studies with a focus on human health has led Morgan to volunteer with a local organization that plans possible ways for engaging the community to fight for clean water for the town. Additionally, Morgan is currently working on a two-year long research project to see if it can impact environmental education and awareness using games.

In addition to Morgan’s studies, research projects and volunteering, Morgan attends conferences and networks with other students and is a part of a cappella group, Morgan is inspired by her mother who is headed back to school, an older sister working on her doctorate and a twin sister also in graduate school.

It is our honor that our EZstorit Get Ahead Scholarships assist Layla and Morgan with their academic success.

All our 2023 EZstorit scholarship recipients are working towards making the world a better place and it is our honor to be a small part of their academic success. We wish them all a wonderful future.

By: Lee Preston
Lee is the Director of Marketing and Promotion for EZstorit.com. When she is not working with our storage facilities partners, she is writing about topics that affect our daily lives.