Life
Triplets experience difficult childhood but inspire others when they beat the odds
Despite growing up without parents and being homeless at times, these brave sisters achieved their goals.
Patricia Lynn
05.17.22

There are many children out there who are shy and prefer to keep to themselves. In some cases though, it could be because they’re dealing with a very difficult home life.

Meet Hayley, Sierra, and Kassidy, the Yeckes triplets who’ve spent most of their lives all alone, relying exclusively on one another. Their mother passed when the three girls were toddlers, their father is out of the picture, and the Yeckes ladies have spent a lot of time taking care of themselves.

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Luckily, the community reached out and supported Hayley, Sierra, and Kassie. We want to share with you a celebration video where three girls finally get their high school diplomas. Wait, that’s not all; they’re about to receive much more.

The three sisters had an extremely challenging upbringing, but they’ve also had one another to make it through hard times.

“My sisters are my favorite people in the world,” says Hayley. It is perfectly understandable since they became orphans at a very young age. Their mother passed when the Yeckes triplets were just three months old, and their father was incarcerated.

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

The sisters moved between homes, and also had times of being homeless.

At one point, they lived with their grandparents, who were neglectful, and didn’t believe in schooling. Because of that, the Yeckes girls didn’t start school before they were 8.

Moreover, the three girls were never given food, clothing, or books. Hayley, Kassie, and Sierra had to work at Albertsons to make ends meet. This of course made it hard to balance school with their jobs.

Unsplash - MChe Lee
Source:
Unsplash - MChe Lee

When they first got to the Valley High School in Las Vegas, the Yeckes triplets weren’t interested in school, and they had severe trust issues.

Fortunately, the GEAR UP Program came up at the perfect timing.

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program, the GEAR UP, is part of the Federal Higher Education Act intended to help low-income students with education. Eventually, three girls felt safe enough to share their traumatic childhood with the teachers at Valley High.

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Everyone was shocked, but the school staff never gave up on the three fighters.

Hayley, Sierra, and Kassie eventually graduated with honors. To make the precious moment as memorable as possible, the FOX5 Surprise Squad decided to show up at the graduation ceremony and truly surprise the three brave sisters.

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

With the help of the entire community and Nissan United, the Yeckes sisters were awarded for their determination and hard work.

After receiving high-school diplomas, the sisters were pulled aside by Cassandra Jones from FOX5 and gave each of them $5,000 for the college expenses. All three sisters are headed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with full scholarships.

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

But there was so much more…including a brand new car for each of the sisters!

Sierra wants to be a teacher, Kassie’s got plans to become a nurse, and Hayley wishes to be a social worker. “I didn’t think I’d make it to 18, but now I’m here,” comments Hayley enthusiastically. In addition to all this, America First Credit Union offered to pay for a year’s worth of free gas.

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Sierra explains:

“Just remember – there is more to life than the problems you face today or the problems you face tomorrow.”

YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

It’s no wonder these sisters have inspired people across the internet. In fact, the video of them being surprised has over 2.2 million views and 32K “likes!”

Press play below to watch it for yourself!

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