LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A senior from Fern Creek High School in Louisville was recently awarded a $3,000 scholarship from the pop rock band Imagine Dragons. 

What You Need To Know

  • Fern Creek High School student was awarded $3,000 from Imagine Dragons

  • She won the Imagine Dragons Origins Scholarship, which was founded to assist first generation American students, refugee, or immigrant students

  • Dahal is among four students who were awarded the scholarship

  • Trishna has applied to 12 colleges and has recently been accepted into two including the University of Louisville

 

17 year-old Trishna Dahal from Nepal, like many refugee students who have left their native homes to come to the United States, had to break through barriers on her path to academic success.

"It’s actually a lot different to live through it and have to make the decision to still get up everyday and continue going through the motions and existing in a space where you’re wanted," explains Dahal.

After awhile, through all the language obstacles and academic rigors, fitting in became easier for Dahal, as she learned to accept and celebrate her differences. 

"I feel like a lot of the life choices that my parents and I have made have led to a lot of these opportunities being open for us," said Dahal.

Fast forward to now, the Fern Creek High School senior plans to study computer science.

"I know that’s going to be expensive so I’m trying to save up as much money and get as many scholarships as I can so that I can go wherever I want," explains Dahal.

The 4.0 graduating senior was among four others chosen for a surprise that will impact their futures.

The teenager received a $3,000 scholarship from the grammy winning band Imagine Dragons.

"They’re helping create opportunities for kids like me to actually go to college and get a degree in something that we’re passionate about," adds Dahal.

In their applications, the students had to share their powerful stories about the hardships they have faced as refugees.

"I feel like it shows how open the band is to accepting new people and also creating scholarships and opportunities for disadvantaged students," said Dahal.

In a partnership with Bold.org, the band created the “Origins” scholarship to support first generation, immigrant and refugee students. 

 

Now, Trishna is using her passions to encourage others to explore interests in STEM fields.

"It’s really important to get the word out and allow other refugees and immigrants and women to join to STEM, to have access to higher education," suggests Dahal.

Many students like Dahal are pushing their way toward successful futures with the help of educators like Beau Baker, Dean of the Ivy Plus Academy Program at Fern Creek High School.

"Yeah the scholarship is great but I think this just speaks to the idea of hey there’s people out there that you don’t know in our community that you’ll probably never meet but they have your back, they’re in your corner," explains Baker.

Trishna is the daughter of two immigrant parents. And she wasn’t sure how to pay for college. 

But the scholarship winner has some advice for other students who are trying to figure out their futures.

"Never stop trying like seriously. I think I applied to at least 20 or 30 scholarships on the website before I finally got this one and I was actually ready to deactivate my account and just stop.

She says the secret to her success has been perseverance and believing in herself

Trishna has applied to 12 colleges and has recently been accepted into two including the University of Louisville.