One way to add creativity is to discuss the lessons you learned from the adversity you experienced in your life, and how this shaped your outlook on life. For example, if you endured child abuse while growing up in different foster homes, you can talk about how those experiences motivated you to spend the rest of your life counseling teens who endured similar circumstances.
Another idea is to use your essay to describe a major or unique accomplishment that relates to the type of scholarship for which you're applying. For example, if you're applying for a culinary arts scholarship, you can talk about how you helped improve your parents' restaurant by developing a new menu that included more vegetarian and global cuisines. Also mention specific ways in which your contributions increased the restaurant's profits, and any special recognitions the restaurant received due to the changes.
If you're asked to answer a question on a certain topic that relates to the scholarship for which you're applying, you can write about a little-known fact that deals with this topic. For example, if you have to write about the lives of the early founding fathers for a scholarship from a historic society, research some little-known facts about the founding fathers and put them in the essay.
You can also impress your reader by discussing an innovative idea you have for a career or new business. For example, if you live in a small town that doesn't offer many jobs and your goal is to open a few viable businesses in that town, discuss how your education and creativity will help you reach this goal.