Going to State

Methodist Children's Home athletes in volleyball and flag football not only made it to the state championship, the state championship is coming to them! MCH will be hosting the Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League (TCSAAL) State Championships on Saturday on the Waco campus. This is a high honor for our young athletic program.

The first MCH football game starts at 8:00 AM and the first MCH volleyball game starts at noon. If you are planning to be in Waco on Saturday, come on over and support the MCH Bulldogs!

Did you know that both our volleyball and flag football teams are undefeated in league play? Way to go, Bulldogs!

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!

Discovering His Strengths

The following story was written by Chris, a Ranch resident, and shared at the annual Commissioners Meeting in October of 2009.

I remember when I first stepped into the Ag classroom, the frustration I had at the world and at myself. I wasn’t interested in this, and it seemed like I wasn’t good at anything I tried. I couldn’t weld, I couldn’t cut metal, I couldn’t do anything.

Then one day, Mr. Kuretsch and Mr. Kruse had an idea. They pulled me over and asked me if I would cut out this pattern with the scroll saw. As I presented my finished work, a small smile appeared on Mr. Kuretsch’s face. I went on to build one “fine fishing rod holder.” It seemed like as I added on to it, pieces of my anger, hate and frustration left to be forever embedded in that wood.

When I was finished, my confidence increased and I went on to build many nice and honest woodworkings. I broadened my horizons from plumbing to wiring to fixing dry wall, and I even became a pretty good welder.That is what FFA is all about. People think it is just for certain people, but it is for everyone.

It calls people to broaden their horizons and discover their talents and interests. This year, we integrated the Ranch and campus schools together which has offered these FFA opportunities to others who, like myself, never thought they could do these things. Now they are discovering their own talents and interests.

The Ag program offers a variety of FFA-based classes such as animal sciences, metal fabrication, woodworking and several others. We also show animals such as hogs, goats, steers, heifers and lambs in different fairs and shows. I have been privileged to show my lamb, Potato, in the Heart of Texas Fair this year.

With all these opportunities, everyone has a chance to be able to discover their talents, gain self-confidence, and become someone. I would be a completely different person if it were not for the Ranch and Mr. Kuretsch and Mr. Kruse who didn’t give up on me even when I gave up on myself.

Thanks,
Chris

GAPP Banquet

The Methodist Children's Home Grandparents as Parents Program in Waco held a recognition banquet to honor local grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The banquet was held last Friday, September 25.

Rehan McNeil, coordinator of the Grandparents as Parents Program, was glad the Home was able to provide a night of relaxation and fun for hard-working grandparents.

"We wanted to let our grandparents know how we, as a community, appreciate the sacrifices they are making to care for their grandchildren," said McNeil.

Mayor Virgnia DuPuy was in attendance and honored grandparents during her speech, as did several administrators from Methodist Children's Home. Guest speaker, Antonio Brown, shared his personal experience of living with his grandmother and the impact she made on his life and future choices.


The evening of dining, music and speakers was capped off with awards for the grandparents.



Kaleigh (pictured above), and other MCH residents, volunteered their time to help with the grandchildren in attendance.

For all the grandchildren and grandparents in attendance it was definitely a night to remember!