A leap of faith: Medgar psychology student Daylon Downs captures hearts, earns inaugural scholarship

By Nick Masuda | nicholas.masuda31@mec.cuny.edu

Just a few feet away stood Brandon Ingram, a 6-foot-8 All-Star basketball player for the Toronto Raptors, in town to take on the Brooklyn Nets.

For Daylon Downs, it was a larger-than-life moment.

Not because of the behemoth men warming up on the court, but because there would be more people in attendance at the game than there are in his hometown of Corn Island, Nicaragua — population 7,747.

“Wow.”

He was left stunned by how much smaller the Barclays Center court looked in person, having only seen it on television.

But on April 6, it would be his turn to take center court under the bright lights he so richly deserves.

The Medgar Evers College psychology major was in the building to be honored by the family of Nets icon Herb Turetzky, the team’s official scorer for 54 years.

Downs, 24, is the inaugural winner of the Herb Turetzky Scholarship, securing the honor through an inspiring essay that showcased a tenacity for learning, as well as community.

The scholarship is exclusive to incoming freshmen at Medgar Evers College, as the Turetzky family is committed to aiding a student’s educational journey from the start.

Humble by nature, it was Downs’ words that ultimately captured the hearts of the selection committee with this essay:

“My name is Daylon Downs, and I was born on Corn Island, Nicaragua. At 23 years old, I have dedicated myself to my studies, consistently striving for excellence and earning a place on the dean’s list throughout my academic career. 

“My commitment to education stems from my deep desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly children. I aspire to become a child counselor, helping future generations navigate their challenges and achieve their dreams. 

“Two years ago, I made the brave decision to migrate to Brooklyn, seeking better opportunities and a brighter future. The transition to a new country was both exciting and daunting, as I faced the challenges of adapting to a different culture while pursuing my educational goals. However, these experiences have only strengthened my determination to succeed. 

“I have learned to embrace change, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of obstacles. My passion for helping others drives my ambition to pursue a college education. I believe that education is a powerful tool for empowerment, and I am committed to equipping myself with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective child counselor. 

“I envision creating safe spaces for children to express themselves and offering guidance to help them overcome personal challenges. Being alone in a new city has taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and community. I am motivated by the belief that my experiences can shape my ability to connect with and support others. 

“This scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of my education but also bring me one step closer to fulfilling my dream of positively influencing the lives of children.

“Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to contribute to my community and inspire others as I embark on this journey.”

His journey hasn’t exactly been a straight line, it has found a unique direction due to his quest to “do good things.”

He initially took a stab at dentistry school in Nicaragua, but “blood wasn’t my thing,” he quipped.

So he took the leap, leaving his family behind to move to Crown Heights — an area that not only housed his aunt, but also one that is committed to community. 

His community in Nicaragua was avid in its support of education, so finding a similar option in the United States was key for Downs.

Political unrest in Nicaragua left Downs unable to safely attend school, leading him to look for new opportunities, however drastic they might have to be.

“I’m a person who loves school. I’m always in a school setting, and that was very tough, to not be able to go to school,” Downs recalled. 

“Knowing that education can take you where you really want to go, and I felt like I’m not going to get there if I don’t go to school. So that’s when I moved here — I came by myself.”

And he hasn’t stopped moving since, as he carries full-time work — he teaches Spanish and Technology to elementary and middle-school students at a private school — as he looks to attain his degree at Medgar Evers College.

“It brings me a sense of joy — you’re able to also teach a little bit of what you know to the future generation and enlighten the younger minds,” Downs said.

Downs grew up in a religious household and community, where life was centered around the church. That experience has given him a calling — he wants to use his psychology degree, commitment to community and his leadership skills to become a priest.

He believes psychology is at the center of effectively helping people.

“I’ve seen the things that my community goes through. I’ve seen things that children and older folks have to deal with, and psychology plays a big part in all of that,” Downs said.

“And I think that if I’m going to be a leader, it doesn’t matter what capacity, I have to be equipped to do that.”

Downs also knows that in order to attain his goals, it will take community support, both emotionally and fiscally.

The scholarship came at the perfect time, giving him financial peace of mind as he looks to fast track his degree.

The Turetzky family choosing him was simply surreal.

“The day I got an email saying that I had gotten the scholarship, I froze for a minute because I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled.

“I was overwhelmed with joy. What this scholarship is going to do for me is make sure that I can get through. It’ll keep me on the road that I want to be on.”

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Interested in the scholarship?

To learn more about the Herb Turetzky Scholarship, make sure to visit our hub. The application process for the 2025-26 school year will open shortly.