Kaylee Xiong Memorial Scholarship
About This Scholarship
The Kaylee Xiong Memorial Scholarship honors the life of Kaylee Xiong, a talented graphic designer and former Valley High School student whose life was tragically cut short during her first semester at Sacramento State University, where she was studying graphic design.
Kaylee was an incredible artist, leader, student and friend. She was known for her kindness, quirky humor, and passion for creativity. She loved to chat about life, share funny stories, and show off photos of her baby sister, Harperlynn. She was driven, competitive, and set high standards for herself, always pushing to do her best in everything she pursued.
This scholarship aims to honor Kaylee’s incredible light and passion for design by supporting students who share her dedication to creativity and ambition for the future. Kaylee made the world a brighter place. Let’s honor her by helping others do the same.
Who Can Apply
Any high school senior at Valley High School in Elk Grove, California who has completed the Graphic Design Pathway with A’s and B’s may apply.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit:
1. A short personal statement answering the following prompt:
- What has the Graphic Design Pathway at Valley High School taught you throughout high school?
- How has it challenged you to grow in terms of work ethic, creativity, and problem-solving?
- How do you think these skills—along with critical thinking—will help you in college or your future career? Please note what college you will be attending, along with your chosen major.
2. A portfolio submission showcasing their best work from the Graphic Design Pathway:
- This can be a website or a well-organized slideshow presentation. Applicants are encouraged to include a short reflection on their portfolio, highlighting a project they are most proud of in terms of growth, effort, or creativity.
Selection Process
Finalists and each year’s recipient will be selected by:
- Graphic Design Pathway Leadership Officers (Juniors)
- One VHS Administrator (currently Victor Hoang)
- Kaylee’s Parents (Johnny Vang & Neng Yang) and/or her brother, Nicholas Xiong, will be offered the opportunity to participate in the selection process each year.
- What has the Graphic Design Pathway at Valley High School taught you throughout high school?
- How has it challenged you to grow in terms of work ethic, creativity, and problem-solving?
- How do you think these skills—along with critical thinking—will help you in college or your future career?
Winners and Finalists
July 2025
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is May 2, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jun 3, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jun 3, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
