The Boys Ranch High School graduating class of 2019 were all smiles as they moved their tassels from right to left at the end of their commencement ceremony the morning of May 25th.
Fifty graduates crossed the stage in the Ned O. Miller Auditorium to earn their diplomas. They now begin the next phase of their life, be it college, trade school, military or entering the workforce.
“Each relationship with each student is different,” said Boys Ranch High School Principal Shawn Read as he opened the event. “Each of you has taught me something, whether you know it or not. You inspire me to be a better principal and a better person, and make me want to provide a more positive culture for those students who follow you.”
Read encouraged the graduates to recognize the tremendous support system of house parents, caseworkers, supervisors, counselors, and the rest of the 366 Boys Ranch employees.
“Today, you will receive a diploma, and you will also become the primary advocate of the rest of your life,” Read advised the graduates.
During the ceremony, remarks also were made by the class salutatorian Sara, valedictorian Emily and class president Kyle.
In her comments, Emily, who has been at Boys Ranch for 13 years, took time to recognize some of the outstanding accomplishments of members of her class in the last four years including district champions in tennis, historical qualifications for playoffs in girls basketball, state cross country awards, baseball playoffs, all state girls basketball, junior national rodeo finals, and wins at all levels for UIL, FCCLA and BBQ competitions.
“We need to embrace where we are right now. Embrace what we’ve been through,” Emily said. “It’s time to write our next chapter, but we have to remember where we come from,” she said, adding, “ let’s remember what helped us get where we are today, knowing we always have this place to turn to when we need it.”
Boys Ranch President and CEO Dan Adams presented the Boys Ranch Foundation scholarships to outstanding seniors Emily and Kadan.
Some of the graduates who plan to begin college in the fall will participate in the Bridge the Gap program and remain at Boys Ranch over the summer.
Many tight hugs and long goodbyes were happening after the ceremony. And, many celebrations were hosted at homes on campus where seniors were residents.