When the Yeckes Triplets stepped foot in Valley High School in Las Vegas, they didn’t seem to really care about school. Haley, Kassidy, and Sierra were quite antagonistic toward teachers, counselors, and authoritative figures in general. They had attendance problems and were failing their classes. The girls kept to themselves and only relied on each other.

Instead of looking away, the school introduced the triplets to the GEAR UP initiative, which provided them with additional care and support. The more the triplets felt safe with the GEAR UP staff, the more they improved their attendance and grades. They also finally shared more about their situation — and it was more terrifying than anyone could have imagined.

The triplets’ mother died when they were just 3 months old. When they entered sixth grade, their father was put into jail. They went to live with a grandmother, but since she didn’t believe in formal schooling, they didn’t go to school until they were age 8.

When their father got out of jail, he moved with the girls. But he would leave them to fend for themselves for weeks at a time. Their portion of time with him ended after their house was shot up while they were home alone.

The girls moved in with their grandparents, who were terribly neglectful. The triplets spent large patches of their lives homeless, without food, clothing, and transportation.

But with the help of their GEAR UP teachers, the triplets fought through the loss of both parents and homelessness. They went on to raise and maintain their GPA above 3.0 while taking advanced courses, participating in school activities and working jobs as “unaccompanied minors.”

Now, all three triplets are bound for college. Their stunning story caused the FOX5 Surprise Squad to be there in secret for their graduation day.

In the video below, the Yeckes Triplets are pulled off to the side after receiving their diplomas… and the entire school watches on as they’re given the surprise of their life.