Syracuse University
My name is Deka Dancil. I am a junior, Policy Studies major, Real Estate minor, and a Say Yes Scholar. I have just a few things I'd like to share with you regarding Say Yes to Education's impact on my life and the lives of others I know as well as what the programs means to me. Because of Say Yes' partnership with Syracuse University, I am attending school tuition free. Beyond this major contribution to the advancement of my education, Say Yes has done so much more for me. Say Yes allows me to give back to my community by volunteering at local K-12 schools, Say Yes has provided me with resume building experiences, Say Yes has assisted me in obtaining additional financial aid outside of the scholarship it already makes possible for me, and the list goes on. Needless to say, this program has helped me and many other Syracuse City School District students and alumni out. I am eternally grateful for the program. I believe in Say Yes' vision and am living proof that the program is doing what it says it does, which is what brought me to speak in front of you today. I want you to believe too. Say Yes is a program that is bringing about 'real change' and I am just happy to be a part of it.
Thandekah (Deka) Dancil
