Announcement
Fifteen students were honored at the 3rd annual IRC Graduation Dinner & Robing Ceremony.
Photo: Andrew Holzschuh
For millions of teenagers across the United States, every June means graduation season. Long-anticipated ceremonies recognize years of hard work, friendships, struggles, and achievements as newly-minted graduates prepare for their futures. For a group of fifteen students in Dallas, high school graduation was more than a celebration of new beginnings; it was a reflection on their journeys to get here. Having each arrived to Dallas as refugees, they had already overcome a lifetime of obstacles – war, persecution, family separation, and refugee camps – to walk across the stage.
At the 3rd annual IRC Graduation Dinner & Robing Ceremony, on the eve of graduation, the students reflected upon the family, friends, and mentors who had brought them closer to their dreams. As first-generation high school graduates, their long list of achievements are a testament to every person who guided, supported, and sacrificed immensely for their futures.
Ten years ago, Milan Kharel’s family was the first case for IRC in Dallas Deputy Director Daley Ryan, who was then a Resettlement Caseworker. Now the first in his family to graduate, Milan is headed to the University of Texas at Arlington where he intends to study computer science. Milan thanked his brother, Demas, for being a constant anchor throughout the years, despite never having the opportunity of an education himself. Milan said, “Because of [Demas], I never had to worry about anything but my studies. Since we arrived, he always set high expectations for me. He expected me to finish high school, finish college, and go on to get a great job. He inspires me to be a better version of myself.”
Sunita Pradhan is involved on-campus, off-campus, and plays varsity sports - she did it all while graduating concurrently with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. A high-achiever by any standards, Sunita will be the first in her family to attend college when she begins her pre-nursing education at Texas Women’s University this fall. Sunita credits her mother, Hem, for being the biggest influence and role model in her life, “My mother raised me and my siblings. She worked as many as four jobs as one time to make sure [we] have a better life than she did. It hasn’t always been easy for her to take care of us on her own, but she still made sure to be involved in our academics from a young age.”
From parents to siblings, and friends to mentors, the stories of resilience resonated deeply throughout the evening. With a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Allred (TX-32) and college-readiness bundles in hand, the fifteen students honored at the IRC Graduation Dinner & Robing Ceremony were all smiles, ready for their next adventures. As valedictorians, athletes, musicians, student leaders, and with over $500,000 awarded in scholarships among them, these students have built strong foundations for their future endeavors. With the love and support of their family and friends, we cannot wait to see everything they accomplish in college and beyond!
Congratulations Class of 2019!