“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We cannot control how our life begins, or the circumstances in which we are raised, but we can live a life of purpose and meaning. Rehan Staton recently showed the world that our start does not dictate our future.
Rehan Staton grew up Maryland. He lived with his father, and they did their best to survive. Rehan’s father was a sanitation worker. He worked long and difficult hours to keep food on their table and a roof over their head. Rehan recalls that they experienced difficult times when they often worried about where the next meal would come from. When Rehan graduated from high school, he joined his dad at work. Rehan became a sanitation worker at a very early age.
Working on the back of a garbage truck was not Rehan’s dream. He had experienced several setbacks in high school and was unable to be accepted into college. Thankfully, after he began working the sanitation company, one of the managers took an interest in him. He took Rehan to meet a professor at Bowie University and they were able to persuade the admissions board to accept Rehan. After two successful years, Rehan transferred to the University of Maryland.
Thankfully, Rehan was willing to work hard. He collected garbage, but he also worked hard at college. Rehan would wake up early to work on the trash truck, before he would go to class at the University of Maryland. His school took several long and challenging years. Rehan says that he would often work until time to go to class. Because he didn’t have time to shower, he would sit at the back of the class, to not disturb the noses of his classmates.
Ultimately, Rehan Staton would apply to several law schools. He would be accepted to Harvard University. Rehan’s success story would inspire people to help. People from his sanitation company and others would donate to help him with tuition. Tyler Perry, the actor and producer, would learn about Rehan and would pay the balance of his tuition.
Just last month, Rehan graduated from Harvard Law. He has accepted a position in a firm in New York City. It is a wonderful story of success. Rehan Staton overcame many obstacles and setbacks along the way, but he endured. He makes it clear that his success would not be possible without the support of the people in his life. Because others above him were willing to go out of their way to lift him up, Rehan rose above his original circumstances.
True success is not just found in academic or financial achievement. Success is found when we help lift others out of their difficult circumstances and into a new life, filled with possibilities. As a people of faith, we have been called to help one another. When we see the value in the people around us and invest our time and effort into their lives, we will help others thrive.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
