It's not necessary. But it does make a difference to the story. Some one who'd had years of education and gone through a good college and has worked in the industry could have made this, and everyone would have been impressed. The fact that this young person created this without all that is impressive.
And, depending what media you have access to, there's not often good news about young people.
And, depending what media you have access to, there's not often good news about young people.