Heart of Texas Fair

If you were around the Boys Ranch or Waco campus last week, you probably heard about the 2009 Heart of Texas Fair. This year, youth entered projects in the fair through both 4H and FFA. From creating cakes, photos, fire-pits and toy boxes to showing hogs, steers, lambs and goats, our youth were excited to showcase their talents.

Here are a few photos from the show and information about how our youth placed. Feel free to leave comments (even if they are anonymous) and we will pass on your congratulations to our youth!

Steers
Javen, 10th place (Category - AOB)
Markies, 11th place (Category - Chianina)
Clifton, 11th place (Category - AOB)

Heifers
Jose, 4th place (Category - Chianina)
Tyler, 1st place (Category - Chianina)

Goat Show
Linda, exhibited
Sarah, exhibited
Kandaja, exhibited
Ashley, exhibited
Kat, exhibited













Hog Show
Jocolby, 2nd place (Category - Black OPB)
Jon, 4th place (Category - Black OPB)
Hayden, 3rd place (Category - Black OPB) and 4th place (Category - Hampshire)
Trent, 1st place (Category - Black OPB) and 6th place (Category - Hampshire)(
James, 5th place (Category - Hampshire)
Stuart, 6th place (Category - Yorkshire)


Lamb Show
Ryan, 8th place (Category - Southdown)
Dion, 7th place (Category - Southdown)
Mario, 6th place (Category - Southdown)
Dylan, exhibited
Chris, exhibited
Clayton, exhibited

Ag Mechanics
3rd place overall in Sweepstakes
1st place and division champion – trailer
1st place and division champion – bbq pit
2nd place and reserve division champion – folding stool
Red award – can crusher in yard convenience
Blue award – gun rack in woodworking
Red award – toy box in woodworking
Red award – cedar clock in woodworking
White award – cedar lamp in electrical


Other Projects
Clayton, 2nd place (Category- Decorated cakes)
David, 3rd place (Category - Photography)
Nick, 2nd place (Category - Photography)
Sam, Honorable Mention (Category - Photography)
Nick, Honorable Mention (Category - Art)
Hayden, Honorable Mention (Category - Photography)


Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Heart of Texas Fair! And special recognition goes to the first Waco campus youth to show animals through FFA. You girls did a wonderful job with your goats and we are proud of you! We apologize to any students who were left out. If you notice someone is missing, let us know.

Commissioners visit Waco

This week marked our annual Commissioners Meeting. The two-day event kicked off with a lively dinner and program in the brand new Boys Ranch Recreation and Activities Center on Tuesday evening.

Several boys from the Ranch shared the story of how their lives have been impacted by life at Methodist Children's Home. In fact, one young man gave us permission to share his comments here on the blog so that you can hear his testimony. Click here to read Chris's inspiring story.

Trey Oakley, vice president of development, welcomed the Commissioners.

Bobby Gilliam, MCH president, addressed the meeting attendees.

Commissioners and Boys Ranch staff and students enjoying the evening.

Jordan, a Boys Ranch resident, shared his story.

Reverend Travis Franklin from Salado brought the Tuesday evening message and encouraged Commissioners to provide light in the darkness for youth in need of guidance and support.

Reverend Franklin, a former MCH chaplain who was with MCH
for 12 years, shared inspiring stories from MCH alumni.

On Wednesday morning, the Commissioners gathered at the Johnson Student Center on the Waco campus and heard reports and stories from a variety of departments across the organization. The highlight of the morning was a special performance by the MCH Charter School choir.

Becca McPherson, director of development,
planned and organized the successful event.

Commissioners and development staff sharing morning fellowship.

Dr. Jack Kyle Daniels, former president of the Home,
held a book signing for his memoir.

MCH student athletes shared about their experiences.

MCH Charter School choir offered several musical selections.

The Meeting concluded with a luncheon in the Community Room where Commissioners were joined by members of the MCH Student Leadership Team.

Methodist Children's Home Commissioners are nominated by MCH development staff or benefactors and serve as liaisons for the Home. Commissioners help raise funds and promote Methodist Children's Home in their churches and communities across Texas and New Mexico.

Did you attend Commissioners? Tell us about your experience in the "Comments" section below!

Hands-On Experience

The new school year at MCH's Charter School has brought along some new experiences for youth from the Waco campus. Several youth from the school have chosen to participate in this hands-on Animal Sciences class. The class is taught by Steve Kruse and John Kuretsch. Kruse and Kuretsch teach a variety of agriculture and vocational education classes through the school. Their classes give students from both the Ranch and Waco campus an opportunity to work with their hands and learn to care for something beyond themselves. They also serve as advisers for the FFA club.

Youth taking agriculture classes are bused to and from the Boys Ranch for their meetings. During the class they have time to learn about animal science and apply their lessons to their work with their own animal. Here are some photos of several girls working with their new goats.









These girls, and other youth caring for animals, will be showing at the county FFA show later this fall.