The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches has been improving the lives of at-risk children
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1546265
Kennadi, daughter of Alumni Association President Nick Phillips, hands out winning medals at the end of Alumni Day. The winners were delighted to bend down and let Kennadi bestow the awards. Wyatt worked at odd jobs, not yet sure of the direction he wanted to take. He met a business owner who invested in his skills, and soon Wyatt struck out on his own and started a cleaning business. Today, he manages several teams of employees and work contracts in multiple states. From the bleachers, Cottage Parents and older alumni left the chaos to the younger alums. Timothy Forney, who was at the Ranch from 1974 to 1976, enjoyed his first Alumni Day. He talked with the staff about values and activities that were still in place at the Ranch and what had changed over the years. Timothy also learned a lot about the Ranchers currently in the program and their need for mentorship and direction in life. For the rest of the afternoon, the alumni continued to play with the kids. In between rounds and during water breaks, the visiting men and women talked to our kids about memories from the Ranch and what life can look like afterwards. Association Vice President Charles Stephens married his high school sweetheart, whom he met while living at the Ranch, and together they run their family's local insurance business. Buddy Kimball is a local citizen who grew up at the Ranch. He has faithfully worked at the same job at a local auto- parts store for over twenty years. Second Vice President Willie Nickerson was a young man who excelled in sports while at the Ranch. After attending college on a football scholarship, he now works as a Master Deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. As a teenager, it is easy to get lost in the daily grind of school, homework, chores, and sports. Our alumni are a window into the world of life after the Ranch. That world has successes and failures, but always includes an opportunity to learn and grow. The spouses, kids, and even grandkids who visit the Ranch with alumni show how much is waiting for our kids after they leave. Alumni Day ended with a potluck of hamburgers, hot dogs, and side dishes brought in by each cottage. Meeting former Ranchers helped our kids get an important sense of perspective; they saw that many people, more than just their parents or the staff they see every day, care about their future success. When you support the Youth Ranches, you are pouring success into the next generation of citizens in your community. Thank you for making important traditions like Alumni Day possible! Former Rancher Wyatt Glass (front) holds his son while dodging around the gymnasium with Ranchers like Jason (left) and Jed (right). T H E R A N C H E R FA L L 2 0 2 6 2 3