DPS Student Could Be Cornell Bound With Your Help
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Public Schools student Chris Dalyia, 16, is breaking ground as the first to go Ivy League through a special summer program.
In a few weeks, Dalyia will leave her classmates and the east side for a future she could only dream of before.
"I'm the only DPS student so it is kind of amazing and it's so surreal," said Dalyia.
Dalyia won the chance of a lifetime -- a full-ride at the prestigious Joyce Ivy Foundation to study over the summer at Cornell University.
But Dalyia has had to sacrifice to get this far. The teen on average sleeps just three to four hours a night and still her algebra teacher Mrs. Fipula said she shines.
"She blows them out of the water, she is committed to her education, she is here every day on time, she is willing to help, she works with other students... she's a star, she's a star," said Fipula.
And "the star" is showing no signs of burning out, especially with all the support she has at home -- where her father just received his GED.
"It was kind of crazy because my daddy, he waited so long, I was like why, you know, because it's never too late to go back and do what you want to do. That gave me even more drive because if they can do it, then I can do it and we all support each other. My family is my rock, so they help me a lot and encourage me to do good and don't make stupid mistakes that I'll regret," said Dalyia.
Dalyia still needs help paying for transportation to the summer school program. If you'd like to help, please send cash or check to:
C/O Chris Dalyia at Crockett High School
8950 Saint Cyril St.
Detroit, MI 48213
