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mahatmakanejeeves

(60,935 posts)
Wed Jul 1, 2020, 07:40 AM Jul 2020

Former Maryland Sanitation Worker Accepted to Harvard Law

Warning: put your speakers on mute before opening this link.

Hat tip, WTOP, which ran the story all day yesterday. Now I can't find a link.

Former Maryland Sanitation Worker Accepted to Harvard Law

By Aimee Cho • Published June 29, 2020 • Updated on June 29, 2020 at 5:26 pm

A Maryland man who used to haul trash and clean dumpsters to make ends meet is pursuing his dream of going to Harvard Law School.

Rehan Staton of Bowie says his mom left when he was 8 years old. His dad raised him and his brother, Reggie, as a single parent, working three jobs. ....Money was tight, so Staton got a job as a sanitation worker alongside his brother.

{snip}

While attending the University of Maryland, Staton still went to work, hauling trash before class. Sometimes there wasn’t time for a shower. ... “I would have to sit on the side of class and try not to bother anybody with my scent that day,” Staton said.

He managed to get through it and gave the commencement speech at graduation. ... “And as Terps, we are champions because we pick each other up,” he said in his speech. ... Now he’s heading to Harvard Law.

{snip}

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Former Maryland Sanitation Worker Accepted to Harvard Law (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2020 OP
He made it! Sanity Claws Jul 2020 #1
Agree with you packman Jul 2020 #2

Sanity Claws

(22,038 posts)
1. He made it!
Wed Jul 1, 2020, 07:44 AM
Jul 2020

But many didn't or couldn't. I consider this story an example of how much talent this country is wasting because of obstacles caused by racism, poverty, misogyny, etc.

 

packman

(16,296 posts)
2. Agree with you
Wed Jul 1, 2020, 09:40 AM
Jul 2020

God bless and nothing but luck and prosperity for this young man. But a lot of dreams dried up and were denied from so many others because of those obstacles of racism and poverty.

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