In a surprising and slightly funny turn of events, three Elder students;  Luke Rodenberg, Tyler Galbreath, and Jett Wainscott have been accepted into Harvard University, one of the most prestigious colleges in the country.

Many people were shocked by the news and questioned if it was the truth. Known among their classmates for joking around and not always taking school seriously, the three didn’t exactly fit the typical image of a Harvard student. However, what they lacked in perfect grades, they made up for in creativity and effort.

While at Elder High School, the students were considered “not smart enough”. Luke wasn’t interested in his puzzle building class and his speech class. Tyler didn’t enjoy reading books and he hated personal finance. Jett was just one of the kids who hated school but still tried his best. These three weren’t focused on grades, they were thinking about other things.

Instead of only focusing on test scores and GPA, the trio stood out in other ways. Luke Rodenberg became popular online for starting a TikTok account posting his favorite team, the Florida Gators. Tyler Galbreath started a “Don’t use your brain club” at his school, where students could take breaks and relax during stressful days. While it started as a joke, it actually helped students manage stress and got attention from teachers and even local news. Tyler gives advice to people on how to make “smart decisions” even though a box of rocks could do better. Jett Wainscott wrote a personal essay about the struggles of being ugly, explaining how it taught him persistence and the importance of not giving up.

Colleges like Harvard look at more than just grades. They also care about leadership, personality, and what makes a student unique. In this case, the three friends showed that being yourself and thinking outside the box can make a big difference.

Now that they are at Harvard, the students are continuing to make the most of their opportunity. Rodenberg has joined a student media group, where he continues creating content. Galbreath is still not using his brain, letting in rest and making dumb decisions. Wainscott is taking classes in biology and communications, hoping to boost the confidence of other people who are ugly like him.

Even though their journey to Harvard was unexpected, their story shows that success doesn’t always come from being perfect. Sometimes, being creative, determined, and willing to try new things can lead to amazing opportunities.