They didn’t care

Joy Ryan, President/CEO

Sometimes data is frustrating.

The percentage of high school students who graduate in the United States is somewhere between 80-90%, plus or minus. At around 17 million high school students in this country, the 10% swing amounts to 1.7 million, plus or minus. Quite a range.

The percentage of “at-risk” high school students who graduate in the United States is much lower, estimated at around 50%, but even lower in some areas. With over a million “at-risk” students in high school, that 30% drop is 300,000 kids who didn’t graduate due to their life situations.

The description of “at-risk” seems to be different in every zip code. If they didn’t enroll in school this year, are they counted as dropping out? No one seems to know.

What we do know is that it is much, much harder for children with mental health, behavioral, and psychiatric issues to find an educational environment that will help them learn.

Happily, Evan and Katherine didn’t care about the odds.

In January of this year, Evan and Katherine graduated from Dakota Memorial School at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. They both graduated with full earned credits and passing grades, met full standard state requirements, and graduated a FULL SEMESTER early!

Both Evan and Katherine came to us as day students, not residential. Neither wanted to be here. Both Evan and Katherine came into Dakota Memorial School planning to drop out. They didn’t. Both Evan and Katherine were sure they weren’t smart enough for school. They were. Both Evan and Katherine were stubborn. That was one of their shared superpowers. Both Evan and Katherine were determined to keep teachers at a distance. They didn’t.

Over time, they each found their niches… one in writing, one in career tech. Over time, they learned to communicate, trust, and ask for help. Over time, they began to plan for a future they never thought possible… one in the Army, one in cosmetology school.

The graduation was beautiful. The gym was decorated. Pomp and circumstance played as they walked into the gym, wearing graduation gowns and mortar boards. They listened to a keynote speaker and prayer. They received a graduation quilt, their final quilt from the Ranch, made possible by the wonderful quilters who donate them. Family, friends, and Ranch staff celebrated afterwards with graduation cake and refreshments.

I usually tear up. This time, it was when Evan came over to Principal Shayla Leinen while I was visiting with her before the ceremony. He said, “Ms. Leinen, I really need to introduce you to my family. They need to know whose fault it is I’m graduating,” and off they went.

Yup, that did it. I teared up.

Please keep Evan and Katherine and all the children and staff of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in your prayers.

God bless.