While making a new home at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch wasn’t what a trio of sisters initially wanted, the activities and opportunities at the campus allowed them to work through their feelings and find
their strengths.
Kalista, Sara and Alex were adopted at the ages of 6, 5 and 3, but their prior experience with trauma was difficult for their parents to manage. Boys Ranch was their new home when the girls were 12, 11 and 9.
Sara said she didn’t like that she couldn’t live in the same home as her sisters because she is protective. Kalista said that she was scared at first for the same reason.
“Letting my sisters go and them being around new people was hard for me,” Sara said. “I was a really angry kid, but getting involved helped me work through a lot
of that.”
Both Kalista and Sara were involved in athletics, as well as Youth Leadership Organization and Sunday School during their time at Boys Ranch.
Sara also participated in the annual rodeo, having won her first time to compete.
“I’d never even ridden a horse before, but I got to do that out there. I was a very upset kid, and they started me in equine therapy. I got a horse to work with and love. It just really helped me,” Sara said. “Horses feel what you feel, so I had to learn to calm down and that I couldn’t be scared. I’m pretty stubborn so I was determined to be good at it. Once I won for poles and barrels I didn’t rodeo anymore. I won so I was done and ready to try something else.”
Kalista and Sara graduated from Boys Ranch High School in 2017 and
2019, respectively.
Kalista and Sara both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in May of 2023. Kalista initially went to West Texas A&M University (WT) but left after her first year. She later went to Richland College, a community college, where she played basketball for two years. After earning an associate degree, she transferred to the University of Texas Dallas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology. She plans to continue her education by obtaining a master’s degree at University of Texas Arlington in the social work program.
“I want to be a social worker for Child Protective Services so that way I can go back and help other foster kids, but I might want to get a master’s in counseling so that way I can fall back and be a counselor for other kids as well,” Kalista said.
Sara went to West Texas A&M University and earned her bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise science. She also completed WT’s Panhandle Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) program to earn her teaching certificate. She has moved to Dimmitt to teach sixth grade social studies and coach basketball, track and volleyball.
“I had some great teachers at Boys Ranch. They changed my whole mindset and showed me what it was like for someone to choose to be in your life.” Sara said.
While both girls received tuition assistance through the State of Texas because of their foster and adoption status, they also received additional funds from the Cal Farley Merit Scholarship.
“It made the transition much easier. I know we already got benefits, but that covers tuition and fees. Without help from Boys Ranch, I would have been a homeless college student. I still worked two jobs, but without the help it would have taken me much longer,” Sara said. “I very much appreciate the help. I worked really hard in college and didn’t get to do a lot of normal college things. Now I am a 22-year-old college graduate with no debt. I’m about to start my first teaching job and the only bills I have to worry about are living expenses. That’s really nice, and it definitely helps more than most people will know.”
Kalista said that college expenses such as books and the cost of living would have been a deterrent if not for the Boys Ranch scholarship.
“I probably would have just not gone to college, but since I got help paying for it, I worked hard at it. I’m just eternally grateful,” Kalista said. “It’s a big reason why I also want to pursue my master’s degree, and maybe even a doctorate. I have that support from Boys Ranch, so I might as well take advantage of this opportunity, especially since many other kids don’t have it.”
Kalista and Sara said that Boys Ranch not only has supported them through college but allowed them to grow up with one another to make a life for themselves, even if college isn’t what they would have chosen.
“All three of us were together for my WT graduation,” Sara said. “Alex is doing great. She is working and doing her own thing, but she’s also part of our story and our time at Boys Ranch. We made it through together.”
Kalista said that she wishes she could meet donors of Boys Ranch to get to know them and thank them in person for
their contributions.
“I think they should be recognized because I’m living a great life that I’m utterly grateful for, and I want to tell them that. Thank you for everything,” she said.
Sara shared similar sentiments.
“They don’t even have an idea the impact they make. It’s not just money that they are giving, but they are building a legacy, even if their names aren’t on a building. I went back to the ranch last fall to play basketball with the girls. That legacy is made when I get to go back and show them that I made it up through a really hard time in my life,” she said.
“It’s not even about the money, but more about their faith and dedication to us at the ranch. They decided not to hold on to that money for themselves, but instead give it to people who they know need it. I want them to know that wasn’t for nothing. You took what you had and you’re really helping people who really need it.”