The Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship
Ele’s Place is grateful to announce that we can offer the Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship in the Spring of 2024 to a current or former participant or volunteer of Ele’s Place Capital Region. The fund started in 2019, provides an annual tuition scholarship for advanced education to a volunteer or attendee of Ele’s Place, a center for grieving children and their families. The fund honors Jesse Melot, who served as an Ele’s Place volunteer for many years before his untimely death at age 37 in 2018. Applications will be collected between now and April 30, 2024. Applications will be reviewed, and the award recipient will be announced in mid-June. Requirements to apply for this $10,000 scholarship are: -You must be a graduating senior, current college student, or nontraditional college attendee
-You must be a current or former Ele’s Place participant or volunteer
-You must be attending or plan to attend an accredited College, University or Trade Program.
-Preference will be given to those students who plan to follow a course of studies in Social or Human Relations
-Preference will be given to those applicants who are first-generation college attendees
To apply, please submit the application form, as well as a 300-word or less personal statement regarding why you are a good recipient of the Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship.
Applications may be delivered to Ele’s Place, mailed to 1145 W. Oakland Ave, Lansing, MI, 48915, or emailed to [email protected]. Applications are due April 30, 2025.
If you have questions regarding the scholarship or the application process, please contact Sue Sanford at Ele’s Place at 517-482-1315 or [email protected].
Special thanks to Derek Melot and the donors of the Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship for this generous support and opportunity.
Who was Jesse Melot?
Jesse James (Sherman) Melot was born in Lansing in 1981 and was a proud resident of mid-
Michigan. He lived his life in the service of others. A graduate of Fulton High School and Siena Heights University, Jesse was never happier than when sharing laughter and music with friends and family. He played the violin as a youth and tinkered with the guitar as an adult. He led an active life, from varsity basketball, track, and cross country for the Fulton Pirates to the completion in 2018 of the Crim Road Race in Flint and the Capital City River Run half-marathon in Lansing.
Jesse's deep-rooted love for his home state of Michigan was evident in his interests and pastimes. He was keenly interested in new cars, a quintessential symbol of Michigan's automotive heritage. His weekends were often spent in quiet contemplation on the shores of Michigan's majestic lakes, from the vast expanses of Michigan and Huron to the serene beauty of Charlevoix and Tubbs. His love
for Michigan was a part of his identity, a thread that connected him to his roots.
Jesse's life was a shining example of selflessness and commitment to community service. His loving and generous spirit was a beacon of light for all who knew him. Jesse was always there for his friends and teammates, whether it was a smile, an encouraging word, or a sympathetic ear. His dedication to Ele's Place, where he volunteered for a long time, was a testament to his compassion.
He worked with grieving children and provided moral support to fellow volunteers, always ready to offer encouragement. His career in the insurance field, specializing in customer service, reflected his commitment to helping others. Despite this, his love for the planet and its wonders remained undiminished. He captured the beauty of sunsets, flowers, and spectacular vistas from his travels
worldwide on his camera and, later, his phone.