Thalles Winner DeSouza, a Wendy's manager who emigrated from Brazil after surviving a shooting, has been accepted into Yale University on a full scholarship, a path made possible by his employers who invested in his college education.
DeSouza, who had been working at Wendy's since he was a teenager and was promoted to shift manager while still in high school, told his bosses he was considering leaving the fast-food industry for construction to earn more money for school. However, Usama El-Sehrawey and the late Ernest Smily, owners of seven Wendy's locations on Cape Cod and Plymouth, instead offered to fund his college education if he stayed.
"If you stay at Wendy's, I will make sure you go to college," El-Sehrawey told DeSouza. The owners began setting aside extra money for every hour DeSouza worked, eventually accumulating enough to cover three years of tuition at Cape Cod Community College.
During his time at the community college, DeSouza maintained a perfect academic record, started a religious club, and served as student body president for two years. He later transferred to Bunker Hill Community College for a year before applying to Yale.
DeSouza, who grew up in the Vila Kennedy favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, came to the United States with his mother at age 13, not knowing any English. The family left Brazil in 2016 after DeSouza survived a shooting inside his home while sleeping.
He was accepted into Yale in May. The full scholarship is valued at over $194,500. DeSouza plans to major in political science with a minor in human rights and pursue a pre-law track to become a lawyer.
"I wanted to reward him for being situated against the difficult odds," El-Sehrawey said. "Moving here to America, trying to learn the language and at the same time study. He’s done a lot of unbelievable stuff."
DeSouza expressed gratitude to his bosses, including Ernest Smily's son, Terry, for their support. "Your generosity opened a door that changed my life, and I will always be grateful," he stated.