Although it was quite a long time ago, I remember some details from my high school graduation.
I grew up on a farm outside a small town in Eastern North Dakota. Our town was situated in a nest of small towns, and each one had its own school. In a move that was ahead of its time, people came together to build a high school out in the country. It was roughly equal distance from each of the surrounding towns, so it could not be overly influenced by any. The new, very modern (at the time) building opened as I entered first grade.
Twelve years later, I mounted the steps up to the stage to receive my diploma. I don’t remember that part, but I've seen pictures of me on the stage, and I must have gotten there somehow! I do remember my mom surprised me with a new and lovely dress. I remember I was one of the speakers, along with one of my best friends, Maren. Her speech was better than mine. I remember Johnny had to climb the steps on crutches, and that one of our classmates was pregnant. I remember the receiving line, standing next to my best friend forever, Mona.
Most of all, I remember my parents. They were so proud but quietly stood back. Strong, steady, kind, smart, always there, reserved, humble.
My parents didn't attend school past their eighth-grade graduation, which wasn't unusual when and where I grew up. It was highly unusual for any of our parents to have attended college (Maren's mom was a nurse, which made her quite the standout). But most of my classmates' families, including mine, dreamed and saved and encouraged us to go further, dream bigger, learn more.
Today, about 84-88% of American children graduate from high school. That means the average dropout rate is a quite low, 12-16%. Graduation is a rite of passage for the great majority of high school teens.
That is not the case for children with trauma and domestic violence histories, mental health issues, or who grew up in foster care—their dropout rates range from 32-50%. Michelle V. Porche, former associate director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, led a study on school dropout rates, and one sentence in the research summary made me stop and think.
"Dropping out of school is not an event, but rather a process that begins as early as first grade.”
Children don’t decide not to graduate. They are compelled by their life experiences not to graduate.
It is these very children who attend the Ranch's on-site school, Dakota Memorial School. And they graduate. They have endured so much and could easily live up to the negative expectations. Instead, they walk to Pomp and Circumstance, wear mortar boards that make them feel silly, and celebrate with people who cheer and hug and cry and celebrate! Some attend ceremonies at their home schools, some enjoy the Ranch celebrations. Either way, they show that they are capable young adults discovering their best selves. Because of your support and prayers, they are not compelled to be statistics.
Hooray!
We will hold graduation ceremonies in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo next week. Please pray for our graduates and all the children and staff at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
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