# Wendy’s worker helped by bosses heads to Yale

2026-08-10T16:37:48+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

A former Wendy's employee who survived a shooting in Brazil is heading to Yale University after his managers funded his college education. Thalles Winner DeSouza, 23, started working at a Wendy's in Massachusetts while in high school and considered leaving for better pay in construction. His bosses, Usama El-Sehrawey and the late Ernest Smily, instead set aside extra money per hour he worked, covering three years at Cape Cod Community College. DeSouza earned straight As, served as student body president, and received a full Yale scholarship valued at over $194,500. He plans to major in political science and minor in human rights.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/from-wendys-to-yale-thalles-desouza-survived-a-shooting-learned-english-and-earned-a-full-scholarship-worth-over-194500/articleshow/133100787.cms>

Tags: Cape Cod, education, immigrant story, scholarship, Wendy's, Yale University
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/wendys-worker-helped-by-bosses-heads-to-yale/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/wendys-worker-helped-by-bosses-heads-to-yale/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.