Less than three years after graduating from Inderkum High School, Samer Dhillon owns an investment firm, plays basketball at the University of Southern California, is studying for a medical career, is co-founder of a mobile health clinic, and is giving back to his Natomas alma mater by offering two scholarships to Tiger student athletes this year through a nonprofit organization he created.
Dhillon’s foundation, “Deep Roots,” will provide two $1,000 scholarships to Inderkum student-athletes for excellence in academics and athletics. Applicants must be senior boys or girls who plan to attend a four-year college or university next fall. They also must be members in good standing of an Inderkum sports team who have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout their four years at Inderkum. Applications must be submitted by April 15.
“I want to give back,” Dhillon said of the scholarships. “I really learned a lot at Inderkum. It helped shape who I am.” He said his experiences as a Tiger enhanced his ethic of hard work, taught him leadership, gave him a solid academic foundation, and gave him confidence in approaching and reaching out to others.
Dhillon said he named his foundation “Deep Roots” in memory of his deep roots in Sacramento. “I never forget where I came from,” he said. The foundation’s website features a large artwork of the Tower Bridge and the road that passes through it en route to the Capitol.
The foundation’s motto consists of three words atop its website: “Empower. Inspire. Educate.”
“Sam Dhillon has a passion for creating opportunities which positively impact the lives of youth and inspire community collaborations,” says the Deep Roots Foundation website, adding that Dhillon is majoring at USC in Human Biology, minoring in Business Entrepreneurship, and hopes to purse a medical career focused on neurosurgery.
“His fundamental belief is that hard work is always rewarded and holds the key to success,” the website added. Dhillon is the son of Harjit and Surjit Dhillon, who owns several Shell gasoline dealerships in the Sacramento area.
While at Inderkum, Dhillon was Associated Student Body president and graduated as valedictorian, with a 4.5 grade point average. A 6-foot-8 basketball standout, Dhillon averaged 13.6 points and 11 rebounds per game,and served as team captain his senior year, according to a biography posted by the University of Southern California.
At USC, Dhillon, 20, has been named the basketball team’s most inspirational player and twice has won the James Zumberge Award for having the team’s top grade point average. He is doing Alzheimer’s research for the Department of Neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine. He also is chief executive officer of the Quest Investment Firm, a Los Angeles-based firm that manages million in assets, the USC website said.
Asked about the definition of success, to him, Dhillon said: “It’s about changing lives in the community as well as the world.”
Click here to apply for a Deep Roots scholarship honoring Inderkum student-athletes. Winners will be announced April 29.
