Teacher finds triplets disinterested in class, learns they are grossly neglected and starved

When triplets Sierra, Kassidy, and Haley Yeckes began attending school, they seemed uninterested in their academics. Instead of giving up on them, their teachers at Valley High in Las Vegas reached out to them and help them in any way possible. After being introduced to the GEAR UP Program, the attendance and grades of the girls began improving. Eventually, they opened up about hardships in life. The three sisters had a rough beginning in life after their mother passed away when they were just three months old. According to Fox 5, their father was imprisoned shortly after this and so they were sent to live with their grandmother. Now, their granny did not believe in schooling, so they didn't get to attend school until they were 8. 

Once their father got out of prison, he nominally took custody of the girls but would often leave them to fend for themselves for weeks or months at a time. This is when the sisters started cleaning, cooking, and looking out for each other. To be burdened with so much responsibility at such a young age is unimaginable but there was more hardship awaiting the girls. One day, when the girls were home and their father wasn't three bullets were fired at their home. Thus, they decided to move out and live with their other grandparents. Heartbreakingly, they continued to be a victim of negligence even as they hopped from one relative's house to the other. 

Sometimes they weren't even provided the most basic essentials like clothing and food. That's when they took up jobs to pay for their expenses. Initially, they babysat for families and eventually went on to work at Alberton's. With the care from the school's program, their grade improved as they maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a scholarship to the local University of Las Vegas. In 2017, they graduated High School and couldn't wait for their move to campus and start their adulthood. For them, adult life was not a burden like their childhood but an empowering leap. 

What they didn't know was the truckload of surprises that awaited them after their graduation ceremony. Having learned about the inspiring story of their perseverance, Fox 5 Las Vegas sat the girls down for an interview. "It is astonishing, I am so happy," said Haley of their difficult journey. "Well, I was not sure that I would ever make it this far but now that I have, I’m like, let’s do it." Excited at the prospect of finally having a place to reside when they go to college, Haley continued, "Because we get to live on campus and we will actually want to go home at the end of the day."

While the girls shared they would be working while attending college, the news outlet handed each of them a sum of $5000 to help them pay for their living and college expenses. "This would be going towards the books and food and hygiene products and anything else I’ll need," said Sierra who was moved to tears by the gift. The sisters were also presented with their own cars to kickstart their college life. "Nobody is more deserving of these three cars than these three girls," said Don Forman, the owner of United Nissan. Haley couldn't believe that this was happening to her and her sisters. "I didn’t think I was going to make it to 18," she said while another sister added, "It was difficult, growing up in that situation. But we survived!"

Cover image source: YouTube | FOX5 Las Vegas