Pete Kadens made a promise to pay for their education through HOPE Toledo. 80 students will attend 12 different institutions across the country. At 42-years old Jenifer Smith is a college freshman along with her 18-year old daughter Justice.

Who would have thought, Chris Rowland packing for college? Certainly not Chris Rowland. “It just happened so quick and turned everything around,” Chris said. “This past year my life has changed so quickly.”

Scott High School seniors - and their parents and guardians - got a wonderful surprise the morning of Wednesday, January 29, when Pete Kadens, an Ottawa Hills native who now lives in Chicago, pledged to pay for their room and board, tuition and all fees for either college or a trade school.

Just one week after the news of a lifetime, Scott High School seniors are rapidly preparing for the next chapter of their education and getting some help from the school district and local colleges.

Pete Kadens shocked the nation when he announced he would be covering every graduating Scott High School student's college tuition. It's a life-changing event for them all but for one student, this past week has completely changed her perspective on the future.

When Philanthropist Pete Kadens walked onto the stage at Scott High School Wednesday morning, students had no idea what he was going to announce.

When a group of high school seniors gathered for what was billed as "the surprise of a lifetime," they were greeted by a man they'd never seen — to tell them something they'd never forget.

Local students got a life-changing surprise Wednesday. A former Ottawa Hills man offered to pay for them to go to college.

This guy knew hope couldn’t wait… So he funded an entire 2020 class and one parent to go to college for trade school for up to 4.5 years.