Senior who endured 10 years in refugee camps graduates at the top of class and gets $240K in scholarships

A high school graduate from Ohio, who spent her early years as a refugee in Uganda, has secured an impressive $240,000 in scholarships as a recognition of her hard work and accomplishments.

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Juliane Lukambo, speaking in a news release from Columbus City Schools, expressed her satisfaction with the scholarships, stating, “I’ve worked really hard all of these years with taking college classes, being involved, and getting the scholarships is showing recognition that I did a lot, and the reward is what I get.”

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Lukambo’s journey to earning these scholarships began when her family fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spending a decade in Uganda as refugees, as reported by CBS affiliate WBNS. Reflecting on her experience, Lukambo shared, “Due to the ongoing war, we had to move to Uganda as refugees, so that’s where I spent most of my childhood. Life in the refugee camps was not easy.”

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Upon arriving in the United States, Lukambo faced the challenge of adapting to a new country. She described the uncertainty she felt as a fifth-grader starting school at Valley Forge Elementary School, stating, “You come here [to the U.S.], and you don’t know what to expect.”

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Despite the obstacles, Lukambo remained determined and actively participated in various activities throughout middle school and high school. From joining the STEM Club to excelling in soccer and even being a member of the bowling team, she consistently achieved high grades and gained impressive internships, according to the district.

Alongside her regular coursework at Northland High School, Lukambo also took classes at local colleges, showcasing her commitment to education and personal growth.

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In recognition of her exceptional efforts and accomplishments, Lukambo was named the valedictorian of her graduating class. She is now set to embark on a journey in computer science at the University of Dayton.

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Reflecting on her journey, Lukambo acknowledged the challenges she overcame, stating, “Overcoming the adversity that I have had to overcome to reach where I am today has been a real challenging journey.” She expressed gratitude and pride for her achievements, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.