The James Hightower, Jr. Steel Scholar Award

$500

James Hightower, Jr. was an employee of Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation for over 40 years.   Mr. Hightower was a master at the task of die grinding.  The name comes from its use in touching up hardened steel dies.  Steel is a hard, strong, durable, malleable alloy of iron and carbon. The skillful Die Grinder is responsible for carefully and precisely cutting out, forming, or stamping the metal at a high rate of speed and compressed air pressure.

Mr. Hightower’s duties as a mill employee were heavily incentive laden and his position enabled him to value the importance of setting and achieving goals and working independently and responsibly.  He never missed a day of work in forty years, often working as many double shifts as he could.   He simply loved to go to work.   Not only did James Jr. take his professional responsibilities seriously, but he also protected and served his family with the same conviction.   Those who knew him remember that he worked and loved with an iron will and constitution.  Despite succumbing to a fifteen year bout with Alzheimer’s disease in August of 2007, his battle manifested the depth of his poise, strength, and dignity.   

The recipient of this Steel Scholar Award is a high school student that encompasses and values the same drive and determination as Mr. Hightower.  In the face of extreme levels of adversity and pressure, the student must maintain performance, focus, dedication, and a sense of maturity in setting and achieving goals.  Like Mr. Hightower, steel is comprised of a tough, hard exterior and it is almost impossible to penetrate.  This is why the recipient of this award must exude the same characteristics as it relates to how he or she lives his or her life spiritually, emotionally, and academically.   

In order to apply for this scholarship, the student must:

• Reside in either Westmoreland, Allegheny, or Armstrong County
• Be a high school student of African-American, Latino, or Native American descent
• Be a high school senior with at least a 2.5 grade point average
• Work at least 10-15 hours per week
• Have faced some type of significant adversity or challenge
• Complete a brief application that can be downloaded from www.hscholars.org
• Submit a high school transcript
• Submit a recommendation from a high school counselor, teacher, employer, mentor, or community leader
• Write a 500-1000 word essay that characterizes that adversity or challenge

Application Materials should be postmarked by February 1, 2008, and sent to:

The recipient of the Steel Scholar Award must be present at the scholarship ceremony in order to receive the award.