Each of the three campuses of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch has different traditions and events that have evolved over the years we’ve been helping kids and families. One of my favorites is the intermittent Talent Show held on the Minot Campus. It gives the kids and staff a chance to be brave and sing or dance or speak or share. It gives the kids one more way to move closer to finding their best selves.
The recent talent show was a delight. The room was standing room only and there was every type of talent shared.
My three favorite moments:
A really shy child with learning disabilities decided to play drums, rather spontaneously. Deaconess Kelly Bristow helped him get organized and he started playing a three-note pattern, over and over. The whole audience, kids and adults, started, unprompted, singing “We will, we will rock you” in rhythm with him, and clapping along. It was so kind and affirming and such a community!!
One of our super smart girls, about 13 years old also did a drum solo, but it is obvious she has studied music. She then re-entered the stage to share a speech about the harm and destruction of bullying. She had examples and challenged everyone in the room to practice kindness. I saw more than one tear surface as she talked.
I also truly enjoyed IT Expert Heidi Clouse’s presentation on the importance and impact of smiling… which she capped off with a bevy of “Dad jokes” like these… “How do trees get on the internet? They log on. What is brown and sticky? A stick. What does a baby computer call his father? Data.” And my very favorite, “What is blue and not very heavy? Light blue.”
Feel free to use the jokes. I'm pretty sure they aren’t copyrighted…
God bless you now and always.
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
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LEARN MORE ABOUT DAKOTA BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH
History of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
Treatment Services at the Ranch
Education at Dakota Memorial School
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