A tearful Vontianise Deal recently accepted much-needed financial aid from Lowe's Wholesale Drug Agencies Ltd. to assist with her cosmetology studies at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).
Deal received $750 from Lowe's Brands Manager Gloria Brown, who is also a member of BTVI's Beauty Trades Program Advisory Committee.
"I feel blessed. I am very excited and grateful to have this opportunity. It's amazing help. I felt as though I was held back because of finances. Being a family island student, it's kind of rough getting all of the things I need," said the 20-year-old Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera native.
"Some people have a lot of potential but can't show their full capabilities because they're stuck. They don't have the resources and that's the position I found myself in. I tried really hard to get my cosmetology supplies for school, but sometimes I was late," said the first-year BTVI student.
Brown said it was important for her company to play a role in helping young people like Deal.
"We want to assist our young, upcoming entrepreneurs as much as possible, particularly those who need financial help. We want to be a part of them realizing their dreams," she said.
One of BTVI's requirements for choosing the recipient was that the student made a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 for the fall semester. Deal surpassed the minimum requirement, with a 3.59 GPA.
"I am passionate about what I do. I was initially a business major at another institution, but I wasn't passionate about it, so I applied to BTVI because I always wanted to do hair and nails. I love it. I'm enjoying myself and learning a lot," said the 2011 graduate of Central Eleuthera High School.
Dr. Donnalee Minnis, head of BTVI's Beauty Trades Department, commended Lowe's for its contribution.
"We can see their willingness to invest, and when you invest in young people, particularly a female, you are not only helping her to help herself, but eventually her family, hence the student becomes employable and it eases the burden on the wider community. It's a rippling effect," said Dr. Minnis.
"Lowe's has partnered with BTVI for a number of years and they're now giving another student the opportunity to harness her talent. They should be commended because it also shows the student that people still care," said Dr. Minnis.

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