The Roundup May/June 2010 newsletter - Cal Farley's

TABLEof contentsMAY/JUNE 2010 • VOL. LXI, NO. 3a new beginningPAGE 4old-style cattle roundupPAGE 8-9graduating class of 2010PAGE 10-11ARTICLESwest point graduatePAGE 5meet the morgansPAGE 6recent newsPAGE 7honoring girlstownPAGE 13“Desire and determination: adouble play that never fails.”— CAL FARLEYdelivering with dignityPAGE 14CBFP82Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 26/8/10 10:36 AM

whatDIFFERENCEdoes it make?Dan AdamsPRESIDENT/CEOBOARD OF DIRECTORSDan AdamsBud JoynerEX OFFICIOJane KingTom RoachMike KingCHAIRLenny SadlerJerry KleinpeterVICE-CHAIRGreg MitchellBilly AtteburyFay MooreTREASURERWade PorterLilia EscajedaJerry RainesSECRETARYAlan RobersonTanner AlexanderJ. Avery Rush IIITom BivinsRodney RuthartTom BlakemoreShannon StappBetty CooperChris StormHarold CoursonJoe HowellADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSConey BurgessGene HaymanEd FancherVirginia MaynardBettye GreenRosemary RoachGenie Farley Harriman Lamont WaldripSherm HarrimanBill WareROUNDUP STAFFEDITOREDITORIAL ASSISTANCEPHOTOGRAPHERSLAYOUT AND DESIGNCAL FARLEY’SBOYS RANCH ® • GIRLSTOWN, U.S.A. ®FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERSP.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174800.687.3722, www.calfarley.orgJennifer HarkerMary Jo EarlyJim CostinAsh GrossmanJennifer HarkerThreeLeaf Creativewww.threeleaf.tvEvery year about this time, I findmyself pondering anew the importantrelationship between the graduation ofour seniors and the faith and confidenceour donors have demonstrated over theyears through their support of our workwith children.Philanthropic spirit is anextraordinary thing. Some peoplesupport our efforts because they arecompelled by our mission of workingwith children, and they like the way wefulfill that mission. Some give becausetheir parents or grandparents gave toCal Farley’s. Others give out of moralor religious convictions about theimportance of giving and of serviceto others.I cannot help but think that some ofyou may wonder if your gifts really makea difference in the lives of children. Thepurpose of newsletters like the oneyou are reading is to illustrate throughstories the difference it actually doesmake. Believe me, not all things are equalin the world of services to children.There are many programs with manydifferent approaches. One of the mostimportant and unique aspects of ourprograms is our long-term commitmentto developing productive citizens.In this newsletter, you will read aboutstudents who are graduating from highschool at Boys Ranch and Girlstown.The average length of stay for thosestudents is about 4 years and that isgood because we have found that therereally is no easy fix to life’s challenges.It takes time.You also will read about one of ourreligious programs, and there is a photoessay about youth involved in the roughand tumble experience of a real-lifecattle round up.3You will even learn about a man whograduated from Boys Ranch, and nowfrom West Point. From his perspective,he knows firsthand the difference BoysRanch can make.We receive handwritten notes bysome of you who send them along withyour gifts. For example, the note from10-year-old Edward who already knowsthe value of philanthropy — he sent acheck for 10 percent of the winningsfrom his champion turkey!What difference does it make? Itmakes a HUGE difference in the livesof young people who might not haveotherwise had the opportunity toachieve success. With your help wehave offered them opportunities in theireducation, the environment in whichto learn about Christ, the disciplineto pick up a strong work ethic, andthe chance to experience the feelingsassociated with service to others. Somewould never have had the chance to goto college, but you and the Cal Farley’sscholarship program have already madethis a realization for more than 100 ofour students.Yes, it makes a difference — andthank you for your continued faith andconfidence in our efforts.Dan AdamsPRESIDENT/CEOCal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 36/8/10 10:41 AM

oys rancher graduatesWEST POINT“he went in a boy and came away an officer”Blake’s wedding the day after graduation.SECOND LIEUTENANTBLAKE JOHNSONWest Point - Class of 2010Boys Ranch - Class of 2005On May 22, just over 1,000 WestPoint Cadets transformed intocommissioned second lieutenantsarmed with a prestigious diploma.Boys Ranch alum, Jacob BlakeJohnson, was one of them.Blake graduated from the UnitedStates Military Academy at West Point,earning a Bachelor of Science degree inpsychology. “I can’t even explain howproud we are of him,” said Roger andLeah Thorn, his houseparents at BoysRanch. “Watching him get that diplomawas one of the proudest moments I willever have in my life. I told Blake, ‘OK, Ican die happy now!’” added Mrs. Thorn.President Barack Obama wasthe guest speaker for the graduationceremony, as is the tradition everyfour years. He handed out the first 50graduation certificates and shook handswith the rest of the graduating class.“The faces in this stadium show asimple truth, (that) America’s Armyrepresents the full breadth of theAmerican experience,” the Presidentsaid during his speech. “You comefrom every corner of our country,from privilege and poverty, cities andsmall towns.”Blake came from poverty. Hementions that he had received his firstcloset when he arrived at Boys Ranchin 2000. Fast forward one full decadeand Blake was waiting in uniform onthe field of Michie Stadium for theThorns and other family members tocongratulate him. “He wouldn’t leaveto go change until we hugged him,” Mrs.Thorn said.“If it wasn’t for the Ranch, Iwould not have made it this farin my life. I’ll tell anybody that. Iprobably wouldn’t even be in college.My brothers and I were struggling; Iprobably wouldn’t have ever gone tohigh school either because I wouldhave had to go get a job. Boys Ranchtook me away from all of that andsaid, ‘Why don’t you just worryabout developing yourself right now.’They allowed me the opportunity tojust grow up.”— 2 nd Lt. Blake Johnson,U.S. ArmyBlake also had asked Mrs. Thornto pin one of his new lieutenant barsduring the pinning ceremony followinggraduation. The other was pinned byhis fiancé, Sonja. Blake’s brother Aaron,who also graduated from Boys Ranch5and is currently in the Air Force, hadthe honor of presenting and receivingthe first salute.Mrs. Thorn remembers back to a timeduring Blake’s sophomore year at WestPoint when he was very discouragedand struggling with his grades. “That’sthe best part of all this,” Mrs. Thornshared, “that Blake has finally realizedthat he could do it. He always tries togive credit to everyone else, but he’s theone who has accomplished all of this.Our role was just to encourage him.”Blake reports on July 5 to Virginiafor 15 weeks of training with the U.S.Army. He then will report to his postworking in ordnance at Fort Drum inNew York.Blake says that he wants to comeback home to Boys Ranch after heretires from the military. He’d like towork at BR and raise his kids there, too.Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 56/8/10 3:42 PM

loving in multiplesTHE MORGANSsiblings at boys ranch enjoying ‘better life’Many of the youth who come to livein one of our campus programs arenot “bad” or “troubled” kids. They arechildren who simply need a safe andnurturing environment in which togrow, learn, thrive and ultimately reachtheir true potential. Oftentimes, troublewithin a family affects the whole familyunit. As such, Cal Farley’s does what itcan to serve siblings, too.just performed the part of a flower in aschool play, but her favorite activity ofall is reading chapter books, she says.Her favorite is “The LighteningThief ” series.Labor Day weekend. His grandparentscome every year to watch him.MEET THE MORGANSThe Morgans came to live at CalFarley’s Boys Ranch in 2006. Thethree siblings had recently moved inwith their grandparents, but the lovingcouple felt the three young childrendeserved a little more care and attentionthan they could offer them.MEET EMILYEmily is the youngest of the three.She turned five just before her arrivalat Boys Ranch. She attends Mimi FarleyElementary School, on the Boys Ranchcampus, and has just completed thethird grade. She lives at the Finch Home.The sassy nine-year-old is a smiley,sweet girl full of energy and charm.She sports blue-framed glasses withengraved balls on the arms of theframe. She loves to play dodge ball andkickball, so they suit her well. “Emster,”as her older sister teasingly calls her,MEET CHRISTIANChristian is a great kid. He’s not tooquiet and not too loud. He’s easy-goingand always polite. But put him out on thefootball field, and he’ll prove his passionfor the game. In fact, he says he wants togo pro someday and plans to get there byway of attending either Texas Tech orthe University of Texas, Austin.Christian says he and his siblingscame to Boys Ranch for “a betterlife,” and he’s taking full advantageof that. He’s active in sports and justbecame a member of the campus YouthLeadership Organization to “try andhelp the community,” he says. The13-year-old just completed 7 th grade andlives at Bridwell Home.He’s a bullfighter and performs atthe annual Boys Ranch Rodeo held eachMEET LEANNLeAnn just celebrated her 14thbirthday with her Lutz Home family.She also just completed middle school,where she remained on the A and A/Bhonor roll every six weeks.LeAnn keeps busy with manyextracurricular activities such asband, cross country, basketball and theBoys Ranch pep squad. She says shehas made lots of friends in BlakemoreMiddle School at Boys Ranch. She alsomentions that she is staying at BoysRanch until she graduates high school,and then she plans to go into the Army.LeAnn loves taking care of heryounger sister; whether on the Ranchor on a home visit with their dotinggrandparents.Her younger sister teases that LeAnnloves watching TV more, but LeAnnclaims that’s untrue because Christianplays football on the Wii game consoleon the TV.The three point out the date onwhich they arrived at Cal Farley’s BoysRanch, June 6, 2006. “That’s when ourbetter life began,” LeAnn says.bwyt6Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 66/8/10 11:09 AM

OLD-STYLEcattle roundupTHE BOYS RANCH WAY“I’ll tell you what, put a .45 in my handand I’d feel like Billy the Kid right now!”Joseph, a 16-year-old Rancher, sataround the evening campfire sharingstories about the backyard campinghe and his friends enjoyed in Coloradowhere he’d lived with his grandparents.That was fun, but this night was thereal deal. And Joseph felt right at home.It was a cool, damp night out on theland we call Magenta. It’s a magical andpeaceful place that city life has nevertouched — only the wheels of chuckwagons, and the hoofs of horses andcattle have ever regularly trod acrossthis particular part of the Old West.It takes a certain type of man to trulybelong in this setting. Joseph believeshe’s got what it takes and he will tell you,“I’ve tried a bunch of different thingsand it seems ‘Cowboy’ fits me.”He’s right. It does.It was a beautiful weekend inApril when Boys Ranch staff, alumni,residents and friends gathered for areal-life, Old West, cowboy experience.The children were brought back a fullcentury in time — a time when the littlethings in life were easily appreciated, atime when hard work was expected andone did what was right — not becauseof the fear of punishment, but becausethat’s just what was expected.The farm and ranch program haddecided it was time to reintroducethe old-style way of working cattle …no chutes, no cheating. They’d havethe kids ride out, roundup the cattleand drive them back to a pen. They’drope one calf at a time and wrestle itto the ground. They held them; theybranded them; they cut them and thenthey released them. They worked over100 head of cattle during the two days.The adults supervised. They helped alittle, but mostly they taught, and theyensured the children’s safety.8Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 86/5/10 9:13 AM

The kids worked harder thanthey’ve ever worked and not one ofthem complained about it. In fact,they bragged. They were proud of theiraccomplishments, proud of the hardwork they’d put into those two days.They weren’t the only onesworking hard, however. Everythingthat Boys Ranch staff did encircledthe Cal Farley’s Model of Leadershipand Service. If you’ll notice, thatadventurous weekend encompassed allsix areas of the Model’s focus: Safety *Belonging * Purpose * Achievement *Power * Adventure.We listened to that Boys Ranchgroup sing “The Old Rugged Cross”around the smoldering sunrise campfireon that chilly Sunday morning. It wasa truly magical moment and a nicereminder of what, over the century, hasbeen overcome.9Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 96/5/10 9:17 AM

congratulations to t13 years 14 years 2 years 1 year 6 years 6 years7 years 5 years 2 years 6 years 3 years 8 years4 years 3 years 7 years 5 years 5 years 2 years1 year 3 years 7 years 7 years5 years 8 yearsAdam BrownAlex LindquistAmber StrongAngel DeLaTorreAngel SalazarAnthony DavisBilly VoylesBritnee GuzmanDaniel StoddardErnie SandovalHeidi TurciosHenry ZepedaJames MurphyJerid WishonJohn ReedKristin TillmanKudzai MawunganidzeLiz TaylorMida JuradoOfelia AguilarRoxanna MiloRyan McIntyreSarah SmithSean Silva-English34 years 16 years 2 years2 years 5 years 1 yearStetson CountrymanSwasey BrownTrent MarulloAmber ScottBrianna LinnemanEricka Medrano2 years 1 year 5 years 2 years 4 years 5 yearsKaty SarpaliusKristi RileyLacy O’LearyOlivia WilliamsSavannah RenfroShannon O’LearyGraduates not pictured: Alicia DeLeon, Angelica Molina, Jordan Vandiver, Kadeem Matheson, Katherine Doolittle,Katy Gibson, Kevin Niblett, Logan Gafford.110Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 106/5/10 9:21 AM

to the class of 201032 The number of 2010 graduates awardedCal Farley’s college scholarships.Sarah Smithsigned a letter ofintent with FrankPhillips College toplay basketball.“It is a greatand honorableaccomplishmentto be chosen tocompete for one of these programs, andshe is only the second girl’s basketballplayer from Boys Ranch to sign to playcollege basketball,” said Coach MichaelQualls. “Her team and her coaches arevery proud of her hard work, and welook forward to following her at thenext level.”Ryan McIntyre and Kristin Tillmanboth received the Cal and Mimi FarleyMemorial Scholarship. They both alsoreceived the Texas High School RodeoAssociation Scholarship. In addition,Kristin received a scholarship fromthe Tri-State High School RodeoAssociation. She plans to attend FrankPhillips College, on a rodeo scholarshipthey have offered, as well.Jerid Wishon received the firstRough & Tumble College Scholarship,funded by Tex Carroll, author of “Rough& Tumble” a children’s coloring storybook that depicts the very first CalFarley’s Boys Ranch Rodeo.18The number of alumni who have graduated with higher education degrees during the2009/2010 school year. This includes 1 vocational degree, 4 associate degrees,10 bachelor degrees, 2 masters and 1 law degree.11Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 116/5/10 9:24 AM

CLASS OF 2010ready for next stepsWith their high school diploma inone hand and a college scholarship inthe other, the Boys Ranch Class of 2010is ready to face their future. Some hadtears, some were all smiles, but all leftready for what’s next to come.Saturday, May 29, was a warm andbeautiful day at Boys Ranch. The NedO. Miller Auditorium came alive withthe excitement of the many friends,family, staff and donors in attendance tocelebrate this very special day.produces success and achievement yearafter year.Alex Lindquist, class salutatorian,quoted Eleanor Roosevelt aboutlife’s challenges bringing strength,confidence and courage. “You must dothe thing that you think you cannot do,”he shared of her words.“All of us can follow the samephilosophy,” he said. “We need to setof 2010 is bound for greatness in each ofour individual ways.”Roach reminded them that CalFarley’s will be there for them, too.“We stand ready to honor our lifetimecommitment to you,” he said, “BoysRanch has given you many of theimportant tools you’ll need in life, andwe all look forward to hearing yourmany future successes. May God blesseach and every one of you.”William “Bill” Sarpalius (pictured farleft), a former United States Congressman andBoys Ranch alumnus, stands proudly with hisgranddaughter, Katy Sarpalius, a 2010 Girlstown/BRISD graduate, and their family.Tom Roach, Cal Farley’s Board ofDirectors chairman, addressed thosein attendance by remembering Cal andMimi Farley and the foresight theyhad to begin such an endeavor thatSwasey Brown received the Cal Farley’sMerit Scholarship, as he was valedictorian of thisgraduating class, with a GPA of 4.361. Swaseyalso has been accepted into the U.S. MilitaryAcademy at West Point where he plans to majorin engineering. Brigadier General Dale Hoover, alongtime friend of Boys Ranch, said there were over24,000 applicants. Swasey was one of just 1,000who were accepted.goals, decide where we are going withour lives and go forth knowing that wecan succeed and be able to do whateverwe want to do in the future. I know thateach of us in the class of 2010 have aplan and goal for the future. The Class12Sean English-Silva says goodbye. “Boys Ranchsaved my life,” he said. “I don’t want to leave.”Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 126/5/10 9:29 AM

SENIOR BANQUEThonors girlstownThe graduating seniors of CalFarley’s Girlstown, U.S.A., were honoredat a special banquet held in May. Thegirls were swept away to the event in abeautiful horse-drawn carriage.Each girl chose a Girlstown staffmember — someone who had beenspecial to them during their time oncampus — to escort them. The youngladies were introduced to those inattendance and led to theirseats at the head table.Mike McClung led theevening with a beautifulprayer for the girls. “Therehave been countless hoursinvested and prayed intothese graduates. Theyare miracles, every one ofthem. You were having agood day when you madethem, Lord.”Genie Farley Harrimanaddressed the girls with ashort speech on how proudshe, and the Cal Farley’s organization,are of their accomplishment. “It’s awonderful, wonderful time,” she toldthe girls. “Just look at what you’veaccomplished! We can put it here foryou, but you have to do the work. Andyou’ve done it. We are so proud of you.”Following dinner, each of the girlsconveyed their gratitude for their life-changing experiences at Girlstown.Many shared happy, heartfelt memories.Several brought the crowd to tears.“No one told me it was going to behard,” sniffled Savannah. She spokeof leaving her best friend, Shannon,and the place she’s called home for somany years.She explained that she looks forwardto what her future may bring, and sheoffered advice to the girls still on theirjourney at Girlstown. “When I firstcame here, everyone told me this wouldbe what I make of it, and they were right.I beg you to never give up. Make themost of it,” she asked.Ericka is an exceptional example ofthe difference Cal Farley’s Girlstowncan make for a young lady. She was ata crossroads in her young life and hadalready dropped out of high school.She needed help and Girlstown wasthe answer.She lived at Johnson Cottage in ourtransitional living program and was ableto attend credit recovery classes offeredby the Boys Ranch Independent SchoolDistrict on the Girlstown campus.It was not an easy path for Ericka,and she was challengedto her very limits, but sheprevailed. She caughtup academically and isgraduating on time.“I have matured a lotsince I arrived here eightmonths ago,” she shared.“Without Girlstown, Idon’t know where I’d beright now.”Briannadeliveredperhaps the most touchingspeech of the night.“When I first arrived I toldeveryone, ‘Don’t bother getting to knowme, I won’t be here two weeks.’ Turnsout I’ve been here longer than any of us.”“I’m actually glad I made it longerthan two weeks,” she continued. “I wasa very angry child. I have come a longway from all the hate I had in my heart.You’ve given me a life I never thoughtI’d have.”13Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 136/5/10 9:35 AM

delivering withDIGNITY“devo” takes flight at boys ranchAllowing for dignity among themany children who come to live withus that arrive hurt, broken and oftenunbelieving is a critical facet within ourChrist-centered approach.“We want to heal and comfortthem,” explains Senior Chaplain, MikeWilhelm. He says it’s really importantthat they receive healing space, so therequired weekly hour of Christianeducation, delivered in the form of a 10a.m. Sunday school class, didn’t seemto fit quite right for everyone. So lastSeptember, Chaplain Wilhelm and histeam implemented a new way to deliverto the adolescents of the campus.“I see them moving toward the crossand trying on faith.”—Chaplain Mike Wilhelm“We have a lot of students out herethat didn’t have a lot of structure intheir lives, and maybe didn’t have muchof a religious background, and thenwhen they arrived here we were kind offorcing a square peg into a round hole, inmy opinion,” Chaplain Wilhelm shares.“I didn’t feel we were really treating thestudents with dignity by corralling theminto small Sunday school rooms underflorescent lights in these small sterilerooms and putting them in little plasticchairs and expecting them to listen to a45 minute lecture.“We were asking every single kidin our care to do this. It made a lotof assumptions. Most of the Sundayschool materials out there assume thatthis person is a believer in the Christiangospel and is somewhat motivated tolearn, and that isn’t a fair assumption14across the board with our students.“So we made some changes.”DEVOTIONALS TAKE ONNEW MEANING, FORMATChaplain Wilhelm and his teamwanted to design something thatwould be easy to do and give the kidsthe needed space to consider theChristian gospel, without it being toooverpowering. What was born of theseCal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 146/8/10 11:39 AM

ideas is now known as the WednesdayNight Devotional, or simply coined bythe Ranchers, “Devo.”A standardized format was designed.It is a ritual, of sorts, that is delivered ateach of the 19 adolescent homes acrossthe Ranch. Each teenager remains inthe comfort of their own home, wearingwhatever clothes they had on for theday. The key is to create a calm, relaxedstate in which to gather and learn.Every devotional begins withdisarming remarks read by one ofthe youth:We recognize that not everyone heremay believe in God…We recognize that not everyone heremay be comfortable with prayer…We are all warmly invited, but notforced, to consider the possibility ofGod in our midst…No one here has to say anything, no onehere has to pray…We believe everyone is valuable andshould be treated with such dignity…A candle is then lit, to offer aphysical, tangible item to help signifyspecial time in the home. An OldTestament narrative is then read andoften discussed.Everyone is then invited to sharehow they’ve seen God working throughsomeone else over the past week. Theygo around the room offering everyperson the opportunity to share, buteveryone also has the right to pass. Thisis followed by a New Testament readingby a volunteer in the group.The group then participates in athree-fold prayer format. They beginwith a prayer of thanksgiving, then aprayer for others and finally they willpray for personal needs, “God, helpme with…”“There is a lot of direction andstructure, yet the prayers are limitlessfor what can be prayed for each week.It’s a structure so simple and yet eachweek is a different week,” ChaplainWilhelm points out.This format works because it ismuch less assuming, and it allows amore calming space in which the youthmay learn. “There’s a huge contrastfrom what we saw in the 10 a.m. Sundayschool room to this devotional. Thewindow from learning, to being hyper-aroused, is a very small one for ourstudents here, and it’s because of theharm they’ve been through, how they’vebeen hurt, that this window is so very,very small.“Just to have the kids in a state inwhich they can learn… and, they arehearing more scripture in this settingthan they would with most Sundayschool curriculums. They hear scripturein context; the whole story, and the Bibleis really more the curriculum than thecurriculum.“I have such a confidence in thepower of God’s word. It is best to nottry to coerce, persuade, sell, entertain…but just let it be spoken. We can letGod’s word do its number on hearts.And change has already occurred. It issubtle, yet tangible — and powerful.”Several Chapel and Ranch stafflead the home devotionals, and severalare even student-led. Each home has“taken on their own flavor” with thedevotionals. A few of them have itoutside, some over dinner, some laterin the evening and one over a spread ofchips and dips.“There’s transformation going on.It’s a process, a journey. Many of the kidshere are very jaded, but what is amazingis that very few kids leave here that way.They either leave as believers or at thevery least they become soft-hearted.We are disarming, or melting, hardenedhearts. It’s God’s people out here on thiscampus that’s making the difference.”Cal Farley’s is rich in tradition and spilling with stories ... that’s why we’d be happyto come to your next meeting or event. We offer a countless array of speakers, we areavailable nationwide and our speakers are sure to deliver a rivetingpresentation for any setting.Cal Farley’s also offers a special program for churches and church groups, featuringThe Papes, who are long-time houseparents and mentors fromCal Farley’s Girlstown, U.S.A.Schedule a speaker for your next eventby phone (800) 687-3722 or visit us online at www.calfarley.org.Cal_Farleys_RoundUp_May_2010.indd 156/5/10 9:48 AM

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