FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — A Fort Bend ISD Willowridge High School student was surprised with a $100,000 scholarship on Wednesday to help pay for college.
When Pascal Gashe made it to school, his parents and teachers told him he would be meeting with some secret dignitary, but that wasn't the whole truth. He was actually the big man on campus that day and his meeting was with a check worth thousands of dollars.
"I’ve been tricked," Gashe said through laughter.
The check came from APQC's C. Jackson Grayson Scholarship Program. For Gashe, it's a dream come true. For his immigrant parents who instilled in him that hard work can pay off, it's a miracle.
Willowridge staff said Gashe is an ideal, well-rounded student leader who is dedicated to education and service on campus. Gashe's teachers said he's able to do it all while overcoming the real-life challenges of parents who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"I feel like coming from an environment I came from, and all the obstacles I faced, I was still given a lovely opportunity to be in a household where education was priority, so this opportunity will be used to its fullest extent," said Gashe.
Lisa Higgins, the president of APQC, said this scholarship is meant for people like Gashe. The non-profit has offered the scholarship for three years. In that time, the organization has awarded more than one million in scholarships.
"Someone who really wants to take the challenges that they faced in their lives and overcome them through hard work and education, and that’s why Pascal couldn’t be a better choice for the award recipient," said Higgins.
The joy of it all was evident on Gashe's family's faces. His father and mother said they made sure to explain the opportunities available by going to school. That foundation paid off.
"If you are smart for sure, you can make it," said his father, Victor Gashe. "You can become anybody you want to be."
Gashe plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis. He's not sure about his major yet but is leaning toward something in tech.