Rehan Staton is a man who never gave up on his dream of going to Harvard Law School. He faced many obstacles, such as financial problems and a lack of academic resources, but he overcame them with his determination and hard work. His story is an inspiration for anyone who wants to achieve greatness, no matter what the circumstances are.
Rehan dropped out of high school with a GPA below 2.0, and his teachers didn’t believe in him. He started working at Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, where he found a new motivation to pursue college. He went to Bowie State University first and then transferred to the University of Maryland, where he graduated in 2018 and gave the commencement speech.
In 2019, he and his family faced the threat of losing their home while he battled a serious illness. Motivated by his father’s recovery from a stroke, Rehan resolved to return to school. Less than a year later, he excelled in the LSAT and received acceptance into Harvard Law School, fulfilling his lifelong dream.
Rehan’s luck didn’t end there. Actor Tyler Perry saw a video of Rehan celebrating his acceptance to Harvard, and he offered to pay for his education. A GoFundMe campaign also raised over $200,000 to help Rehan with his expenses. Rehan said, “Although I get credit for working hard, working hard was the easy part.”
He was grateful for the support he got from the people around him. His co-workers at the trash company encouraged him to go to college. His boss was supportive of his work and school schedule. His cousin helped him prepare for the LSAT. He said, “I couldn’t have done it alone.”
Rehan also made friends with the staff at Harvard, who treated him like family. He talked to them and hugged them regularly. They gave him a sense of security, support, and love.
On the other hand, he wanted to give back to the Harvard community, especially the staff. He bought and gave out $100 worth of Amazon gift cards with his own money in February 2022. He also helped raise $70,000 to support the janitors and other staff members.
Rehan has big dreams for his future. He envisions moving to New York City and joining a prestigious law firm. Despite the allure of fancy workplaces and valuable connections, he remains grounded, determined not to lose sight of his roots.
Even after overcoming significant challenges to achieve his goals, Rehan remains humble and kind-hearted. He embodies resilience and determination, inspiring others with his unwavering spirit.
Rehan and fellow graduates express gratitude for the support they receive in various ways. For instance, one graduate honored her hardworking parents by capturing graduation photos at the place where they dedicated themselves to her success.