Harding Senior Surprised with Full Scholarship from St. Thomas

Dexter Paasch, a senior at Harding Senior High School, is already an Optimist Scholar and has been profiled by the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and Hocak Worak for his advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol, where he helped advance legislation requiring opioid and fentanyl awareness education in Minnesota high schools when he was still a junior. Now, he can add another accolade to his already impressive resume: a full scholarship to the University of St. Thomas.

Out of 300 applicants, Dexter is one of 15 students to receive the 2026 Dease Scholarship, awarded to first-year students with high financial need and who also demonstrate commitment to academic excellence, leadership and their communities. The Dease Scholarship Program helps the recipients realize their fullest potential, while connecting them with their fellow Dease Scholars at St. Thomas. The program includes civic engagement, leadership development and social networking opportunities. Being a Dease Scholar involves a commitment not only to service, but also to learning how to be an effective changemaker for one's campus, community and beyond.

Dexter received the news at Harding surrounded by his fellow American Indian Studies students, school counselors, NJROTC teachers, and leaders from the Catalyst for Systems Change, an organization that works with students including Dexter to create pathways to opportunity.

"I feel fortunate to have the privilege to work with Dexter Paasch over the past two years. He has been an incredible student and person," said his counselor Dan Kennedy. "Dexter achieved this for himself and completed a scored interview to attain this incredible feat! Congrats to Dexter!"