Two Katy ISD seniors will be able to concentrate more on their studies and less on finances thanks to Grange, a new community in Katy, that has awarded them each a $5,000 scholarship through The Grange by Johnson Development Corp. College Scholarship Program. The awards were announced in an April 15 press release.

Natalie Michael and Crystal Yang are the first recipients of the scholarship which was instituted earlier this year. Michael is a senior at Jordan High School while Yang attends Tompkins High School.

"Both Natalie and Crystal are an inspiration," said Jacob W. Rice, Vice President and General Manager of Grange. "They have done so much for their community all while maintaining high GPAs, doing advanced coursework and working. We are so pleased to be able to help finance their education. We know they are destined to do great things."

Designed specifically for high school seniors in Katy ISD, The Grange by Johnson Development Corp. College Scholarship Program provides an opportunity to alleviate some of the financial pressures of college, the company said in the press release. The money can be used for tuition, books, room and board or anything else related to education.

"This is a versatile lifeline for students’ academic journey,” Rice said. It allows them flexibility to allocate the funds where they need them most. This financial freedom means less stress over costs and more focus on their studies and future ambitions.”

Michael will be attending Texas A&M University at College Station in the fall with a major in public health on the pre-dental path and minors in neurology and finance. She hopes to become a dentist and use those skills to serve underprivileged African communities through H.O.P.E. Social Services.

“My passion for dentistry is evident through my actions, and I am determined to achieve my goals,” Michaels said in her application essay. “I believe this scholarship will provide the support I need to reach my dreams.”

Her passion for community service is reflected in her resume which includes setting up a community partnership with a local nursing home, Atria at Cinco Ranch, to host activities for seniors through her school’s Health Occupations Students of America club.

“We worked closely with the volunteering director to plan tea parties and poetry readings that brought smiles and laughter to the residents,” she said. “These visits brightened the residents' days and fostered lasting relationships, helping us all see the power of compassion and community.

She did this while taking Advanced Placement and dual college credit courses, shadowing dentists, working to become a dental assistant and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Yang has an equally impressive resume. Headed to the University of Pennsylvania where she will major in business and computer science, she is already the founder and CEO of Audemy.org, a non-profit educational game platform for blind students. Audemy grew out of her determination to help a blind friend who could not participate in a lunchtime Wordle race.

“Immediately, my brain did what it always does when I find problems — it kicked into nerd-mode,” Yang said in her essay. “I cycled through ideas, reading assistive technology forums and looking into the code for accessible CS projects. I was committed to letting Kelsie share our thrill.”

Yang raised $32,000 in grants and sponsorships from Google, Intel, Karma for Cara and more to fund her business venture. She also built a team of 30, including designers and outreach coordinators, to scale the organization. To date, Audemy has created 12 games, helping more than 1,000 blind students learn. Her organization has impacted one in 50 blind students nationally.

She has also co-written academic papers, received an AP Scholar with Distinction award, was president of Tompkins Computer Science Club, co-president of Girls who Code Katy and Executive Director of alGIRLithm.

“Natalie, Crystal and students like them are the reason we created The Grange scholarship program,” Rice said. “Our program emphasizes the importance of leadership and community service. It seeks out students who not only excel in academics but also show a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.”

To be considered for The Grange by Johnson Development Corp. College Scholarship Program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, be enrolled in a two- to five-year institution starting the following fall and be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident living within the Katy area. Scholarship applications open in January and are awarded in April.

Grange is located near Interstate 10 and the Grand Parkway in Katy. Students in Grange are zoned to Katy ISD schools, including Robertson Elementary, Katy Junior High and Katy High School. Homes are priced from the low $400,000s.

More information about the new 1,130-acre Grange community by Johnson Development is available at www.liveingrange.com.

About Johnson Development

Johnson Development Corp., a nationally recognized leader in residential and commercial land development, is celebrating 50 years of creating award-winning communities. Since 1975, Johnson Development has set the standard for innovative design, exceptional amenities, and lasting value, establishing some of the nation’s most sought-after master-planned communities across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Atlanta. The company’s portfolio includes signature communities such as Sienna, Riverstone, Cross Creek Ranch, Woodforest, Viridian and Lake Arrowhead, among others. For more information, visit www.johnsondevelopment.com.