Dunn School in Los Olivos seeks financial assistance to distribute additional student refugee scholarships

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. -- Dunn School in Los Olivos is seeking financial assistance to help more at-risk teens receive education through their student refugee scholarship program.

Head of School Kalyan Balaven is passionate about helping students who are displaced by war or chastised for seeking education.

“Having students who have seen war have seen climate change affect them so much that they become refugees. Have a great appreciation for not just for education, but for place and for humanity," said Balaven.

Balaven has traveled overseas to witness firsthand the circumstances of these teens' lives.

He's met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on how to better assist these children.

“The impact that a refugee student has in a classroom of learners where everyone looks at this person who is thirsty for knowledge, who sees how important it is, infects the culture in a way that makes everyone try to do their best and value that education they have in front of them," said Balaven.

Zlata Mitchell is a Junior boarding student at Dunn. When the full Russian invasion of Ukraine took place Mitchell was fortunately already in Los Olivos.

Mitchell and Dunn were able to help four additional Ukrainian students seek refuge through the refugee scholarship program.

“Everyone is very aware of that. A few cities away. There are rapings, there are mass killings, there are forced deportations. And it's still very much happening... Kids who came here, they were there.. in the moment of the war. They had to just basically say goodbye to their dads, not knowing when they'll see them again because men, again, once again can’t leave," said Mitchell.

Two of the five students have already been accepted to multiple universities.

Mitchell says she and her mother are grateful for the opportunity to study in the U.S. through the scholarship program.

“It was incredibly helpful, for obvious reasons, to continue your education, work, job, but also just to bring peace for yourself and just escape and in some cases save your life. So programs like this have to exist while this is happening," said Mitchell.

Mitchell will be a senior this fall and she is already planning to apply to both of her dream schools, UCLA and USC.

“Dunn will definitely set me up for college because I am planning to spend some stay here, which is obviously amazing that I'm doing the program that's going to help me with college and amazing college counseling. So definitely they're going to help me move on with life. That's going to come after Dunn," said Mitchell.

Mitchell said she doesn't know where she would be if it wasn't for Dunn School.

She hopes there will be more seats available for refugee students to receive an education in the U.S..

Balaven was able to raise $140,000 at the Dunn School annual auction and gala event.

Unfortunately, this amount can only fund one student and nearly half of a second student's education.

Funds cover travel, education, amenities, room, and board.

If you are interested in learning more or donating you may visit their website at www.dunnschool.org for further information.