The Cass Tech Class of 2015 Scholarship

Cass Tech's Class of 2015 has created this scholarship to honor the legacy of five extraordinary classmates (Kalen Morrison, Vanessa Olivarez, Ke’Von Sardin, Desmond Simon, and Da’Jion Whitfield) who left a lasting impact on their families, colleagues, and communities.

Each scholarship category represents these individuals' unique personalities, values, and aspirations, ensuring that their memory inspires others to pursue higher education. We seek to select recipients whose character and goals align with the traits of each classmate being honored—whether through their resilience, service to others, determination, or uplifting spirit.

Through this scholarship, we hope to celebrate our late classmates’ lives while financially supporting students who embody their essence and are driven to make a positive difference in the world.

REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be graduating seniors and submit a completed application package by May 6, 2025, to qualify for the scholarship. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.

Students must:

• Answer two essay questions under the respective scholarship track;
• Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or community leader who can speak to your resilience and determination;
• Upload your resume;
• Upload a copy of your most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted);
• Have an academic GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Thank you for applying for the Kalen Morrison Spirit & Service Scholarship. The Kalen Morrison Service & Spirit Scholarship honors the memory of Kalen, a beloved young man whose comforting spirit, passion for service, and dedication to others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. This scholarship seeks to support a student who embodies Kalen’s commitment to helping others, shares his love for music, or aspires to make a difference in their community through a service-focused career.

A Spirit of Service:
How have you demonstrated service or positively impacted your community, school, or family? (500 words max)

Inspiration through Music:
If you are a musician or involved in a band program, describe how music has influenced your journey and shaped who you are today. What instrument do you play, and how long have you played it? (500 words max)

Thank you for applying for the Vanessa Olivarez Perseverance Scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to honoring the memory of Vanessa, a remarkable individual who embodied unparalleled strength, fortitude, and hope in the face of adversity. This award will recognize a student who demonstrates a similar spirit of perseverance, grit, and an unwavering desire to overcome obstacles while pursuing their goals.
 

Resilience in the Face of Adversity:
Describe a challenge you have faced and how you worked to overcome it. What did you learn about yourself through this experience? (500 words max)

Impact and Inspiration:
How have your experiences shaped how you contribute to your community or inspire those around you? (500 words max)
 

Thank you for applying for the Ke’Von Sardin Resilience Scholarship. The Ke’Von Sardin Resilience Scholarship honors the memory of Ke’Von, a young man who embodied perseverance and potential. This scholarship aims to support a male student who demonstrates the drive and ability to succeed despite facing personal or family challenges. We believe that struggles at home or in life do not define one’s future but instead fuel the determination to rise above them.

Challenges at Home or in Life:
Share a challenge you’ve faced, whether at home, school, or in your community, and how it affected you. How did you work to overcome this challenge? (500 words max)

Resilience and Potential:
Even when struggling academically, many students possess strengths that go beyond grades. What qualities or skills do you have that show your potential to succeed in school and life? (500 words max)

Thank you for applying for the Desmond Simon Innovative Scholarship. The Desmond Simon Innovative Scholarship honors the memory of Desmond, a loving individual who had a great character, showed joy to all, and excuded his creative abilities in various fields. This award will recognize a student who demonstrates a similar spirit of resourcefulness, kindness, ingenuity, and passion for hands-on learning and creative problem-solving.

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities:
Describe a time when you used creativity and resourcefulness to solve a practical challenge. How did this experience demonstrate your ability to think outside the box and turn challenges into opportunities? (500 words max)

Designing Your Dreams:
Tell us about something you would like to create, build, or design for the future. What draws you to this particular area of interest? Discuss how your passion for hands-on work has shaped your personal growth, academic interests, or future goals. (500 words max)

Thank you for applying for the Da’Jion Whitfield Rising Above Scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Da’Jion, an inspiring young man who overcame personal hardships, embodied resilience, and worked tirelessly to bring positivity and purpose to his life and those around him. This award seeks to support a student who demonstrates similar perseverance, drive, and commitment to rising above life’s challenges.
 

Hustle and Determination:
Describe a time when you demonstrated resourcefulness or worked hard to achieve a goal through academics, entrepreneurship, or community involvement. (500 words max)

Rising Above Adversity:
Share a personal challenge you’ve faced and how you’ve used that experience to fuel your drive and purpose. How did you rise above your circumstances to create a positive path for yourself? (500 words max)