Classof - Cal Farley's

LaQuan McGowanLaQuan recalls being a youngboy home alone one eveningwhen gunfire exploded on hisstreet. He looked outside andsaw a neighborhood kid shotand bleeding. The boy keptscreaming for someone to helphim, but LaQuan didn’t knowwhat to do. “The next day Ifound out that he died,” herecalled. “I felt terrible.”LaQuan came to Boys Ranchsoon after. He had lived withhis mother and grandmotherin Dallas. His transition was anything but easy, but that wasnothing new, as his size had always made his everyday experiencesmore challenging.Over these many years, LaQuan has grown from a boy to a youngman; though his body had long since been the latter. “Fitting in”was no small task when each day his seat in a classroom was at adesk across the room from his peers because their seats were far toosmall to fit his large frame. For a while, LaQuan needed instructionon gentleness and how to handle being teased – whether real orsimply perceived, as his guard was always up.LaQuan has since experienced countless achievements, in factthere are way too many to list. His coaches explain that once heunderstood where and how to channel his abilities, he simplytook off. He’s a state gold medalist – twice over – in track and field,and has set new school records. He’s an area MVP in basketball(averaging a double-double), and he’s been recruited to playfootball for Baylor University.LaQuan is a testament of absolutepower. Though he towers at 6 feet and 8inches tall and he wears a size 21 athleticshoe, “My purpose is in the church,”LaQuan states with solid conviction.The Bible verses he has written on hisshoes tell far more about LaQuan andhis passion, and they are a good matchto his tattered, note-laden Bible.LaQuan works hard to remain humblethrough all his successes and he centershimself with just one focus: “In all Ido, I always keep God No. 1,” becauseLaQuan is equally driven to strive for his dream career – to becomea youth minister.“A lot of people cry at graduation. I usually don’t cry in emotionalsituations, but I don’t know about this one. Boys Ranch has beenhome for me.”Note to Donors“Thank you for all you’ve done. I hope youunderstand how much that really does comefrom the heart.” – LaQuan McGowanSayvon MunnerlynSayvon came to Boys Ranchfrom Queens, New York. Hismother, who is a police officerin Brooklyn, worried about thepath on which he was headed.She had seen firsthand wherebad choices lead so manyof today’s youth. Sayvon’stransition to Boys Ranch wasanything but easy, but throughhard work and dedication byhim and the staff who cared forhim, he will graduate on time,with his class.“What changed me are the people I put around me,” he said. “Ingood company, good things will happen.”While at Boys Ranch, Sayvon grew in athleticism, competingin track, football, and basketball. He is a member of the AAUbasketball team and he worked at the BR Country Store. Followinggraduation, Sayvon plans to attend Nassau County CommunityCollege and play football. He hopes to work his way into theUniversity of Miami, which is his first choice, “with no second inthe running.”He intends to bring back to Queens what he learned at BoysRanch. “I hope I can use the leadership I’ve learned because whenI hang out with the little kids, I see them doing the same things Ido. I know a couple of kids that will benefit from that. I want togive back.”Justin TingleyNote to Donors“Keep giving because you have people like myselfwho are really trying to do something withour life.” – Sayvon MunnerlynJustin came from California,where he lived with his momand stepdad, when he was 15.He had trouble following therules. “I behave much betternow,” he added. “I found outthat it is easier to follow therules, and when you do, youget a lot more privileges.”Since his arrival, he hasfound his niche in rodeo. Heplans to further hone thoseskills by attending OklahomaPanhandle State Universityand participating in rodeo.There, he plans to major inagriculture because he says itcomes easily to him.6