From Sanitation Worker to Harvard Law School Graduate: The Journey of Rehan Staton

Rehan Staton's path to success has been a challenging one since his early years. From a young age, he dealt with financial insecurities and unstable housing after his mother left when he was in second grade. Despite his father's constant work, their living conditions were subpar, with ceilings full of holes, black mold in the basement, and no heat for nearly a decade.

These difficult circumstances at home had a detrimental impact on Staton's education. He encountered unsupportive teachers who even attempted to place him in special education classes. One teacher made disparaging remarks about his intelligence, which left him disheartened. As a result, his grades suffered in high school, and he graduated with a GPA barely reaching 2.0 and a low SAT score, making it challenging for him to pursue college.

To financially support his family, Staton turned to Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, a company where many of his family members had worked. His colleagues at the sanitation company encouraged him to reapply for college, and eventually, he gained acceptance to Bowie State University. However, he faced further setbacks when he fell seriously ill in 2019, becoming bedridden and experiencing significant weight loss. Combined with ongoing financial struggles, his home was nearly foreclosed. To prevent foreclosure, his father, who had recently suffered a stroke, had to return to work.

Recognizing that he needed resources to address his health issues and financial challenges, Staton set his sights on Harvard Law School. He saw it as an opportunity to take care of his health, prevent foreclosure, and improve his father's well-being.

Through determination and perseverance, Staton's efforts paid off when he graduated from Harvard Law School on May 25, 2023. Despite the many obstacles he encountered along the way, he achieved his goal and joined over 700 graduates on stage at the 2023 Harvard Law School commencement ceremony. Rehan Staton's story is a testament to his resilience and the transformative power of education.

While recovering from his illness, Staton began studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Despite his financial limitations, he couldn't afford professional tutoring or assistance. Despite feeling unwell, he dedicated countless hours to studying for the LSAT.

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Less than a year after falling ill, Staton took the LSAT and achieved success. On March 16, 2020, he received the news of his acceptance into Harvard Law School. A video capturing Staton's reaction to his acceptance went viral, catching the attention of award-winning actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry. Impressed by Staton's story, Perry offered to fully cover his law school education expenses.

Throughout his journey, Staton remained grounded and regularly gave back to his community and the staff at Harvard University. He even helped raise $70,000 for the university's janitors and support staff. Additionally, Staton established The Reciprocity Effect, an organization focused on improving the lives of support staff workers and fostering stronger relationships between students and staff. The organization was co-founded with Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, his former employer, which donated $50,000 to support its mission.

Following his graduation from Harvard Law School, Staton will be relocating to New York City to work at the Paul Weiss law firm. He aspires to pursue his passion for sports on the business side and dreams of one day owning a sports team.

Despite his accomplishments, Staton remains humble and grateful for the support he received from his community and acts of reciprocity throughout his journey. He recognizes the significance of his background and the experiences that shaped him, which will continue to influence his perspective and contributions as he advances in his career.

Rehan Staton's journey from a sanitation worker to a Harvard Law School graduate has instilled in him a sense of humility and a deep appreciation for the support staff at the university. He recalls instances where people would point at him and his coworkers, warning others not to end up like them. This reminder keeps him grounded and reminds him of his humble beginnings.

Staton believes that feeling appreciated goes a long way, especially for those who may not often receive recognition. His efforts to bring visibility and appreciation to the support staff demonstrate his commitment to uplifting others and paying forward the acts of reciprocity he has received.

During his time at Harvard, Staton made a point of befriending the custodians and support staff. He discovered that some of them were surprised that a student would engage in conversations with them, as they often felt unseen and overlooked. Through The Reciprocity Effect and personal gestures such as providing Amazon gift cards from his own pocket, Staton aimed to create opportunities for the support staff to shine and be recognized for their hard work.

Through his experiences, Staton has learned the importance of appreciation, community, and recognizing the often-unseen contributions of others. He continues to embrace his humble roots and aims to make a positive impact as he progresses in his career.