Organization starts scholarship for Kayden Williams

A new scholarship has been established, honoring a Keystone teen who lost his life in a car crash in 2017. Leaders of Today set up the fund to support incoming college freshmen in the name of Kayden Williams. Williams was a junior at Keystone High School from Elyria and played on the football team. He died unexpectedly in 2017 due to injuries sustained from a car crash. Marsalis Hammons, executive director of Leaders of Today, said Kayden's dad, Keenan Williams, is on the board of the organization. Keenan Williams also coached Hammons his freshman year of high school. Hammons said although he never knew Kayden, he knew Keenan Williams and how the death impacted him. From what Hammons heard of Kayden, he was a kid always willing to go the extra mile and help others. That's exactly what Leaders of Today stands for, Hammons said. Keenan Williams agreed. He said his son was always about service and making others happy. Keenan Williams still recalls the stories people told about Kayden during his funeral service. He made people feel good. Keenan Williams said it's an honor to have the scholarship set up to recognize Kayden. Not long after Kayden's death, Keenan Williams said he and his wife had talked about setting up a scholarship. But when COVID-19 hit, plans went on the back burner. When Hammons brought up the idea, Keenan Williams said it just seemed meant to be. Kayden had to work hard for what he got in the classroom. Keenan Williams said it was a constant struggle, but Kayden wanted to play football at the next level so he placed a lot of importance on the classroom. The nonprofit community organization offers scholarships designed for students making an impact in and out of school. There are two scholarships, each worth $500 for students from Elyria and Lorain students. Hammons said it's good that students know what they do both in and out of the classroom is important. He said it's a way to honor Kayden's memory and how he was known around the community. It's also good for students to see the investment the community is willing to make in them, Hammons said. He said he couldn't have made it through his undergraduate without the scholarships from organizations. And Elyria and Lorain are significantly lower than other Lorain County cities when it comes to educational attainment. Hammons said they can raise awareness of that while also supporting students who have shown a commitment. Over time, Hammons and Keenan Williams said they'd like to grow the amount of the scholarship. Community members are able to donate to it to increase the amount. Williams said they've had a great support group since Kayden's death that he knows will come through to donate for the scholarship fund. Every now and again, Keenan Williams said he still shakes his head. It's still hard to believe that Kayden is gone, he said. Losing a child is something he wouldn't wish upon anyone, Keenan Williams said. It's still tough, and it's still a struggle. But he said he's grateful for the community and the opportunity to honor Kayden's memory. "It really means everything," he said. "Any chance that we get to honor him and have him talked about in a good way is just awesome." To qualify for the scholarship, Elyria or Lorain High School students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA, proof of enrollment in a two or four-year college for Fall 2022, at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach or mentor and involvement in school or community activities throughout high school. Applications are due on March 7 at 8 p.m. Applicants will be interviewed through the week of March 21. People can apply or donate to the scholarship fund at www.leadersoftoday.org. For additional questions, email lotloraincounty@gmail.com. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.