MCH Student Achievements

Congratulations to Essence for being recognized by the National Merit Program and winning the “Voice of Democracy” essay, a contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Mart.

Essence is a senior at University High School. She was recognized as a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that high school students enter by taking the Preliminary SAT\National Merit Qualifying Test in October of their junior year. By being recognized as Commended, she now qualifies for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

In the “Voice of Democracy” essay contest, Essence won first place, receiving a beautiful plaque and a $300.00 check. Her essay then advanced to the district level competition, were she won second place. Once again she received a plaque and a $300.00 check.

Please help us congratulate Essence on a job well done!

MCH Students Prepare for Higher Education

The MCH charter school, a University of Texas University Charter School, hosted a college information session to all juniors and seniors who were interested on Friday, January 21. Twenty-five of our students attended the event.

Neisha Evans, a recruiter for McLennan Community College, spoke at the event. She explained the admissions and financial aid processes, the career programs offered at MCC, and the possibilities of how to earn a bachelor’s degree while attending MCC.

Lisa Cochran, Special Education Coordinator for MCH, organized the event. She said she felt good about the level of interest from the students and the questions they had about preparing for college.

Here are some photos from Friday’s event.

Wall of Greatness

Greatness is expected of youth, but we recognize it may occur in their future – an MCH strength-based principle the Boys Ranch is promoting now. The Wall of Greatness, a display in the Ranch dining hall recognizing Ranch residents, was an idea that came out of a Ranch staff meeting.

The dining hall is a common gathering place for all the boys on the Ranch. It’s the perfect location to highlight accomplishments or positive things the boys have done during their stay at MCH. Some examples of what goes on the 6 by 4 foot board are sports accolades, kind acts, school performances, positive behavior, school success, and sharing positive choices youth have made.

In addition to featuring youth on the Wall of Greatness, the Ranch staff highlight one of our 12 Strength-based Principles each month. New residents of the Ranch are also included on the wall with their picture and a short survey about them so others at the Ranch can get to know them.
“I’m proud of the Wall of Greatness,” said Nicole Ehler, Director of Program Services at the Boys Ranch. “We are able to use it as a tool to show what great, wonderful, successful, powerful, and awesome people our boys are.”

If you are interested in viewing our 12 Strength-based Principles, click here.

Here are some photos of what’s on the wall today.

Australia visits MCH Crockett Youth Services

On Monday, January 3, the Newington College basketball team from outside of Sydney, Australia, visited Crockett Youth Services in Crockett, Texas – an after-school program through Methodist Children’s Home in partnership with First United Methodist Church of Crockett. The Australian basketball team is on a tour of Texas, playing basketball teams throughout the state.

Crockett hosted a series of games between the Australian team and a basketball team from Christian Life Center Academy (CLCA) of Humble, Texas. Through a friendship between James Berry, Crockett Program Coordinator, and Coach Carlos Wilson, basketball coach at CLCA, youth from both programs were able to compete against each other. Berry and Wilson agreed to host the game in Crockett because it would be an opportunity for our Crockett youth to meet and compete against an international team.

“Most of our youth have low self-esteem when they first come to our program,” Berry said. “It’s after competing against teams from larger cities and traveling that they begin to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities as athletes.”

Berry views the Crockett Youth Services program as a success because of the positive changes in attitude it promotes in the youth involved.

“One of our kids, Anthony, is a very talented basketball player,” Berry said. “When he first started the program, he was very shy. After our first trip to Houston, he realized his talents in basketball were comparable to youth on larger-city teams. That trip enabled Anthony to open up more and start becoming a better basketball player.”

Our youth had the chance to participate in dunking and shooting contests with the other players Monday evening. Not only did they have the opportunity to compete with out-of-town teams, but they were able to show their skills to talent scouts from well-known Texas universities who attended the games Monday.

Prior to the first game, Dr. Wayne Mask, mayor of Crockett, expressed his appreciation to the players and coaches for bringing this event to Crockett. In addition, Lindy Dehm, MCH Public Relations Officer, spoke on behalf of the Home and had an opportunity to share about our mission and the youth we serve to the teams.

Below are a few photos from the event.

James Berry, Crockett Program Coordinator, speaking to the Humble, Texas, and Australian teams before the games.

Coach Carlos Wilson from CLCA, Mayor Wayne Mask, and Coach Rex Nottage from Newington College in Australia.

The Australian basketball team after practice.

A youth from the Home's Crockett Youth Services watching the teams' practices before the games.