Spotlight on Scholarship Winner Rishi Dhanasekaran

At Pond Lehocky Giordano, we are honored to spotlight an extraordinary student whose strength, perseverance, and compassion exemplify the mission behind our 25 Days of Scholarships campaign. One of this year’s recipients is Rishi Dhanasekaran, a Biomedical Engineering major from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, who will begin his studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology as part of the Class of 2029.

Rishi’s story is one of profound resilience in the face of hardship. Since 2016, his family has experienced a series of devastating challenges. His mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and later with ALS, a progressive and terminal neurological disease. In 2019, a severe car accident compounded the difficulties his family was already navigating. Today, his mother requires full-time care, unable to walk, eat, or manage daily tasks on her own. In response, Rishi’s father left his job to take on the role of full-time caregiver.

In the midst of these hardships, Rishi has become a pillar of strength within his household. He has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, supporting both his father and his younger sister while continuing to excel in school and remain active in his community. His academic performance and dedication to service stand as a testament to his determination and maturity. Despite the emotional and financial burdens he carries, Rishi remains focused on building a future in which he can use his education to help others—just as he has helped his family.

In his scholarship video, Rishi expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to pursue higher education without the same weight of financial pressure. He shared that the scholarship not only relieves part of that burden, but also validates the importance of staying hopeful, committed, and determined in the face of adversity.

“This scholarship will reduce the financial burden of college and allow me to pursue my dreams in biomedical engineering,” Rishi said. “More than that, it affirms that persistence and resilience matter, that my determination and hope for a better future have meaning. Thank you once again for your generous support and for believing in my hard work, dedication, and resolve.”

Rishi’s story aligns powerfully with the spirit of the 25 Days of Scholarships. His values – dedication, service, and strength through adversity – mirror the very ideals our firm seeks to uplift through this initiative. We are proud to support Rishi as he embarks on this next chapter in his academic and professional journey.