The dedication of the addition to Dakota Memorial School, Minot Campus, was held Sept. 15. The event was made memorable by the attendance of donor-friends and family who contributed to help make this dream possible.

Generous funding was given to the Ranch from the family of Victor and Dorothy Young. Their son Andrew attended the event. The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors performed the ribbon-cutting for the Dakota Memorial School Annex, named in the Young’s honor.

Additional gifts for the school included a $100,000 capital grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, a challenge grant of $25,000 from the Rupert Dunklau Foundation, and an in-kind donation of $15,000 from I. Keating Furniture World Inc., which helped to furnish the Independent Living Training Center. Many area businesses and individuals contributed to the building of the school and we are humbled by their gifts.

Mikey Hoeven, First Lady of North Dakota, provided the keynote speech. Hoeven spoke about her efforts to help educate children and parents in North Dakota about the dangers of under-age drinking. Hoeven quoted statistics from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was developed in 1990 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to “monitor priority health risk behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability and social problems among youth and adults in the United States.”1

She noted that school can be the best of places, where children develop friendships, and also can be challenging because of peer pressures, but the more we talk about underage drinking to our children, the easier it is to reach them.

Hoeven also said she was intrigued to learn what the Ranch is doing in its school’s business and technology area. “Any leg-up we can provide to the children will allow them to compete in the community.”

Richard White, chair of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce provided a welcome to attendees, saying, “The national reputation of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch does nothing but add to this community.”

Dr. Wayne Sanstead, N.D. State Superintendent of Public Instruction and DBGR Association board member, remarked on the school’s caring, competent and capable staff.

“We who serve education at the State level salute you,” said Sanstead.

Hoeven and Theresa Meyers, director of education services at the DBGR Minot and Bismarck campuses, unveiled the commemorative plaques. Each plaque pays tribute to individuals and businesses who played an integral role in this project, including, C. Duane Kiefel, dedicated friend to the Ranch for 35 years, who passed away in January 2006.

The school addition began in spring 2005 and was completed this past fall in time for the school opening. The addition includes: a classroom for the Seegers Cottage (Minot Campus) youth transitioning from the Bismarck campus to the Minot campus and will have space for 18-20 children at capacity; a kindergarten through sixth grade for 12 students, who are residents of DBGR; the Independent Living Training Center; the Business and Technology area; and additional administrative space to meet the students’ needs and conference space for confidential meetings.

School staff provided in-depth tours for the nearly 125 people in attendance at the luncheon.