After US scholarship, washerwoman’s daughter scores 95% in CBSE Class X

Lucknow: Lucknow girl Deepali Kannoujia is on cloud nine after the declaration of CBSE Class X results. Daughter of a washerwoman, Deepali has scored 95.2% marks.It’s another milestone for the girl in her young academic journey. In 2024, Deepali, a student of Study Hall School, was selected for the US department of state’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme. She returned to India in June last year after completing the course.“This journey has taught me that where you come from does not define where you can go. Every opportunity I received pushed me to dream bigger and work harder,” said Deepali, who scored 97 in computer science, 96 in science, 95 each in Hindi and social science, and 93 in English.Founder and CEO, Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), Urvashi Sahni, said, “Deepali’s journey reflects what becomes possible when girls are encouraged not just to learn, but to question, challenge and claim their rightful place in the world.” As a Prerna alumna now thriving at Study Hall, she embodies the courage.”Living in a one-room rented house in Gomtinagar’s Vishwas Khand, the girl teaches kids to support her mother, Suman, in making ends meet. “I am very happy and proud of my daughter. She has worked very hard for this and seeing her succeed like this is the biggest happiness for me,” said Suman.Deepali to the nursery section of Prerna Girls’ School in 2013, a unit of SHEF. A year later, she earned a scholarship to study in Study Hall.Her teachers said that over the years, she has consistently demonstrated resilience, discipline and a deep commitment to her studies. The US experience opened new horizons for her, allowing her to grow both academically and personally. “Deepali’s journey is inspiring for every girl at Prerna. Her dedication and achievements show what our students can accomplish when given the right support and opportunities,” said principal of Prerna Girls School, Rakhee Panjwani.Deepali is the youngest among four siblings (three sisters and one brother). Her father, who was a washerman, is now bed-ridden after a leg surgery.