Thalles Winner DeSouza, 23, had his life significantly altered when his bosses at a Wendy's franchise in Cape Cod pledged to cover his tuition at Yale University. DeSouza, who moved to the United States from Brazil in 2016, had been working at Wendy's since high school and was promoted to shift manager. During his senior year, he informed his employers, owners Usama El-Sehrawey and the late Ernest Smily, of his intention to pursue construction for higher earnings to fund his college education.
El-Sehrawey proposed an alternative: if DeSouza remained with Wendy's, the owners would set aside money for every hour he worked. This fund would then be used to pay his tuition directly once he enrolled in college. "It changed my life," DeSouza stated, adding that this support made him feel seen and altered his perspective on his potential.
This financial commitment enabled DeSouza to complete three years at Cape Cod Community College, where he achieved academic excellence and served as student body president. He then transferred to Bunker Hill Community College in Boston for a year before applying to Yale. DeSouza plans to major in political science with a minor in human rights, on a pre-law track with aspirations for law school.
His acceptance into Yale was shared on Instagram in a video showing his family celebrating. DeSouza reflected on his journey, noting on LinkedIn that his path, while different, led him to his current success. He emphasized that "your beginning does not define your ending" and that individuals are allowed to take their time to become who they are meant to be.
DeSouza also spoke about his experience as an immigrant student, highlighting the sacrifices of his mother who moved their family from Rio de Janeiro with limited resources. He expressed gratitude for his bosses' belief in him, stating that their generosity opened a door that transformed his life. El-Sehrawey described DeSouza as someone who persevered through difficult odds, learning a new language and studying simultaneously, and that he was merely a small tool to encourage the young man's efforts.
Recounting the origin of the scholarship in a Facebook post, DeSouza mentioned that four years prior, El-Sehrawey and Smily awarded him a scholarship to attend Cape Cod Community College. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity that changed his life and shared his excitement about attending Yale University. DeSouza highlighted that what stood out about his bosses was not their business success, but their investment in people. "Sometimes all it takes is one person who believes in you. I'm living proof of that," he concluded.