You might say that Zachary Boulden and Rebecca Lusk, recipients of the 2013-2014 Better Business Bureau of Delaware Foundation’s Scholarship, have business in their blood.
Boulden’s father and uncle own Boulden Brothers, which sells propane and provides plumbing services. They also own Boulden One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning and Mister Sparky Electrical Services. Lusk’s mother owns the Furniture Gallery in Lewes.
Both witnessed firsthand what it took to build a successful company.
“I wrote my scholarship essay about the important lessons I learned about business ethics while watching my grandfather and father run the family business,” says Boulden, a freshman at Vanderbilt University.
Business ethics make a small business thrive, agrees Lusk, a University of Delaware freshman. And so does the willingness to do what it takes to please customers.
“Since I was very young, I’ve been helping out at the store,” she says. “I was never shy about answering the phone or greeting customers.”
Now in its fifth year, the merit-based scholarship is open to college-bound Delaware residents, who must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. They must also be nominated by a BBB-accredited business. Each selected student receives $2,500. The 2013-2014 sponsors were Carman Auto Group and SSD Technology Partners. This year, Hopkins & Sons Moving & Storage and Martin Dealerships are sponsoring the program.
Lusk and Boulden have put their scholarships to good use. Boulden, a St. Mark’s High School graduate, has a double major in economics and political science and a double minor in Italian studies and Islamic studies.
At St. Mark’s, Boulden was captain of the mock trial team and ran the Delaware Mock Trial Internship Program, which he founded with the help of mentor Judge Joseph R. Slights III. With his eye on a career in international corporate law, Boulden has become captain of a mock trial team at Vanderbilt, where he’s also active in student government.
Lusk, who graduated from Cape Henlopen High School, is studying elementary education at UD with a concentration in special education. She’s also minoring in dance and in disability studies.
“I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old,” she says. She tap-danced as a contestant in the Miss Cape Henlopen pageant and the Miss Delaware competition, where she placed in the top 11. This year, she will compete in the state pageant as Miss Diamond State.
Both scholarship recipients are inspired by public figures. Boulden is fascinated by John Marshall’s contributions to the judicial branch.
“I admire the intelligence and foresight he must have had to take such actions,” Boulden says of the country’s fourth chief justice of the United States.
Lusk respects the patience and perseverance of Anne Sullivan, who taught Helen Keller.
“It shows me that if I work hard, I can make a positive impact on a student’s life, just like her.”
Lusk wouldn’t be surprised if she wound up teaching and opening her own dance studio.
“I’ve learned so much about business while growing up that running a small business feels like home,” she says.
Winners of the 2014-2015 school year award will be announced at BBB’s annual dinner in April. For information on the scholarship, visit delaware.bbb.org/scholarship.
