The Roundup May/June 2011 - Cal Farley's

Riley TillmanRiley is all cowboy. BoysRanch ended up being theperfect fit for this boy who,in the sixth grade, wasgetting in fights and failingmiserably in school. “I wasgetting into a lot of troubleup until my sophomore year,”Riley admits. “Then, I startedgetting with the program. Igot involved with cowboypoetry, and I went on trips toperform. I got involved withrodeo and roping, and I startedcompeting in high school rodeos. That helped me to stay out oftrouble and helped me keep my grades up.”Riley progressed all the way up to Gold Level, which is anearned status given to those who display mature behavior. Riley’sgreatest contribution to Boys Ranch is the role he played inspearheading the Prayer Rides program. During the time that Rileywas still struggling, Senior Chaplain Mike Wilhelm, had an idea toreach Riley.“He came to my house one day and asked me what I thoughtabout getting some of the guys, who don’t particularly like goingto what was then Wednesday night youth group, which was prettymuch all us cowboys, and going out on Magenta (the Boys Ranchfarm and ranch land across the highway from the campus) forprayer and stuff. We went the next week, and then the next, andeach week the attendance has grown.”Chaplain Wilhelm notes that, “the one-size-fits-all classroomwas a cruel joke for someone like Riley. He needed to be outside...”(Please take a moment to hear all of Chaplain Wilhelm’s side of thestory about Riley by visiting, www.youtube.com/user/calfarleys.Riley has big plans for himself following graduation. He plans toattend Riley Built ® Trimming School in Lubbock, which is a hooftrimming trade school, and then use his trade to begin his ownbusiness working at area dairies. Then, to broaden his businessofferings, he will study in Colby, Kansas at a pre-veterinarianprogram to learn to administer vaccinations.Riley is going to miss Boys Ranch. “It is pretty much my home,”he said. “Anytime I leave I can’t wait to get back.” He also will missthe Paces, his house parents that he has lived with the whole timehe’s been at Boys Ranch. “They have helped me with pretty mucheverything. They are my second parents.”Riley said he’s grateful for all that Cal Farley’s has done for him.“Honestly, if I would have stayed in Colorado, I would probablybe in jail or some juvenile center by now because I was alwaysgetting in fights at school. I even tried to fight my science teacher.I was always angry, all the time, and I even got in trouble with thecops a couple of times…nothing real big, but nothing good, that’sfor sure.”Chris WilkinsonChris has been with CalFarley’s longer than any otherresident in our 72-year history.Unusual circumstances left himin our care when he was just 18months old. His mother, soonthereafter, was placed on themissing persons list, thus Chrisgrew up at Boys Ranch.Chris set records in wrestlingand played quarterback onthe varsity football team. Hehas experienced countlessopportunities and successes,and looks forward to enjoying his future. He plans to attend collegeand major in sports medicine.Chris received an unexpected gift this year when he andseveral other Ranchers traveled to Amarillo for their orthodonticappointments. While in the waitingroom, another waiting patient recognizedthat they were from Boys Ranchand said, “My nephew lives out there.”They asked who his nephew is and hereplied, “Chris Wilkinson.” Chris wasshocked to hear his name, as the twohad never before met. Since, Chrisand his father’s brother have built arelationship. Chris’ uncle attendedmany of his sporting events throughouthis senior year and stood tearfully proudat Chris’ graduation.Kaila YoungKaila was a 14-year-old doingdrugs, drinking and skippingschool. “I only wanted todo what I wanted to do andwouldn’t listen to anybody,”she recalls. “When I first gothere, it was scary and surreal. Itwas kind of like summer camp,but once I was here for a fullyear it hit me I was staying fora long time. I still have my upsand downs,” she said.Kaila straightened up andbecame active in campusorganizations and in several sports. In fact, this school year sheearned a spot to compete in the state wrestling competition; andbest of all, she achieved the ultimate status as the Class of 2011Valedictorian!“Being given the opportunity to play sports, I would have neverdone that at home. Even though it was hard to come here to growup, it’s good because I am graduating and I would have never donethat at home. So many people here have impacted my life. I’velearned how to follow rules and become a better person.”Kaila plans to attend Eastern New Mexico University and majorin special education. She wants to help others and be able toinfluence others in a positive way, she said. “I want to help changetheir lives and make it better.”8