Two Katy ISD Seniors Benefit From 2026 Grange Scholarships

For the second year in a row, two Katy ISD seniors will benefit from the Grange by Johnson Development Corp. College Scholarship Program, each receiving $5,000 to help with their studies.

Allison Willingham and Casey Scherpereel are this year’s recipients of the scholarship which was instituted in 2025. Willingham is a senior at Morton Ranch High School while Scherpereel attends James E. Taylor High School.

"We are so pleased to be awarding these scholarships for the second year in a row," said Jacob W. Rice, Vice President and General Manager of Grange. "Allison and Casey exemplify what it means to be an outstanding student and member of the Katy community. Helping them concentrate on their studies instead of finances is a win for everyone.”

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

Willingham will be attending Texas A&M University in the fall. She will major in chemical and nuclear engineering. Her high school resume reflects a student passionate about education, sports and serving her community.

“Allison is one of the most passionate people I’ve met when it comes to her interests,” said Kevin Rhoden, an AP teacher and Mu Alpha Theta sponsor at Mortan Ranch High School in a letter of recommendation. “She will persevere through almost anything to ensure success, which is extremely admirable, while consistently seeking to learn and improve upon things that challenge and drive her.”

In addition to maintaining a 4.68 weighted GPA, she is on track to graduate sixth in her class. She received numerous 5s on AP tests and was recognized with an AP Scholar With Distinction award. She has played on the Morton High School volleyball, softball and basketball teams. She is first chair violin in the school’s UIL Orchestra. She is also a member of five honor societies. 

As if that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she runs her own business — Willingham Card Company — and volunteers at the Maud Marks Public Library

“I am so proud to be a part of something so instrumental to my upbringing,” Willingham said in her application. “As I volunteer, I watch generations from newborns coming for puppet story time to the elderly who come to sit and read the newspapers. I realize that the library’s outreach will forever be continuous, and I help to keep the cycle going.” 

Scherpereel has an equally impressive resume. Headed to the University of Houston where she will major in electrical engineering, she will leverage her strong foundation in math and programing to contribute to the development of innovative solutions.

Academically, she has pursued a rigorous course load that includes AP courses in physics, chemistry, precalculus and more, maintaining a 4.3 weighted GPA. She has held many leadership positions, including Class President for three years, representing the student body in the Superintendent Student Leadership Circle and Vice President of Communications and Leadership in the National Charity League. But it is her character that shines the most according to Brandye Simper, counselor at Taylor High School.

“She is respectful, driven, collaborative and deeply committed to improving the communities she is part of,” Simper said. “She balances demanding academics, leadership roles, athletics and work responsibilities with maturity and grace.”

Scherpereel also co-founded Senior Support Squad, a nonprofit which organizes events and fundraisers to support senior citizens in the community.

“Through the Senior Support Squad, I learned that making a difference is about showing up month after month even when schedules are busy and energy is low,” Scherpereel said in her application “It is asking residents about stories they have told three times before and listening like it is the first. This experience also reshaped how I see leadership. I used to think leadership meant being in front through organizing, directing, and speaking. Now I understand that leadership can look like kneeling beside a wheelchair to help someone glue paper flowers.”

“One of the things we love most about the Grange Scholarship is how the program emphasizes the importance of leadership and community service,” Rice said. “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 enrolling 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 high $300,000s.