Prom queen, cheerleading captain and honors student, Destyni Tyree is not your typical, popular kid. This 16 year old just graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and has excelled despite some pretty compelling odds stacked against her. Two years ago, when Tyree’s mother became unemployed, the family found themselves part of Washington D.C.’s rapidly increasing population of homeless families. With housing costs on the rise in the increasingly gentrified metropolis, the family moved in with approximately 243 other families at D.C. General, the cities largest homeless shelter.
As might be expected, the adjustment to living in this crowded space with limited resources was difficult. It effected Tyree’s academic and social progression. For a period, she succumbed to her frustrations, venting her aggravation in destructive ways.
“I had a lot of issues with classmates and teachers. It was just too much,” she said in an interview with ABC News.
After enrolling in Roosevelt S.T.A.Y. High School, she became more driven, learning to channel her frustration toward achieving her goals. Eugenia Young, the principal of the alternative high school quickly recognized Tyree’s potential. “As a student, she is a natural-born leader,” said Young.
As if by divine providence, Destyni is living up to her name and owning her fate. With the support and encouragement of the caring staff at Roosevelt S.T.A.Y High School, Tyree was able to turn things around, balancing her academics, part-time job and extra-curricular leadership roles.
Next fall Tyree will be attending Potomac State College of West Virginia University on a full tuition scholarship.
