Family and friends of Heritage alumnus and Young American Christian School teacher Kate Caruso will gather Thursday, April 12, for a special lantern lighting ceremony in the one year commemoration of her passing from cancer and to announce the creation of scholarship in her memory.

Caruso, a young woman in her 20s, was a fourth grade teacher at YACS when she became ill with a rare form of cancer. She was an active part of Heritage's theater community, so the scholarship will be part of the "Kate Caruso Light the Way" award for a student active in Heritage theater productions.

The ceremony will take place April 12, 8 p.m., at Heritage High School's theater and move out into the football field for the lantern lighting release.

The family will begin raising money to fund the scholarship starting with the lantern lighting. They hope to make the ceremony and award an annual event. The scholarship is intended to go to a student who has shown hard work and dedication to HHS’ drama department because Kate was very much into drama, as is all her family.

Rockdale County’s Fire and Rescue Department was invited to participate in the event because some of its responders on Engines 2 and 9 answered many calls to the Caruso home for Kate before she died. Eventually, they formed a bond with the family that lasts today.

Chief Franklin Wilson said. “Our work with families doesn’t stop just because the call is over with. We look for ways to continue serving. So when we respond to calls in the county we respond to family. The Carusos now are family.”