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Graduation Reflections Class of 2008It’s always a great day when boys and girls graduate from Boys Town High School. Here when you graduate, you leave home. That’s why there is lots of joy and lots of sorrow, lots of laughter and lots of tears. We hope you are inspired by their reflections. Before I came to Boys Town, I was a troubled young boy looking for a way out. I was kicked out of school. When I came here, I wasn’t expecting anyone to help me. I thought the Family-Teachers were going to be arrogant adults who abused their authority. It wasn’t that way. They are great people. They have taught me and made me a mature young person. I am grateful. |
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| -Jamie |
| Before I came to Boys Town, I was a little girl who lost hope for the future. I gave up on school, faith and, most importantly, myself. So when I came, I was scared and yet relieved and hopeful. I was scared because I thought I would have to change my whole personality. I was relieved because I could be a teenager again and not be hurt. I was hopeful because there might be a future. Boys Town has given me the challenge to better myself, both mentally and spiritually and to focus on my treatment instead of worrying about my mom, my family and the bills back home. You have given me a second family. My Family-Teachers pushed me when I wanted to give up. They stood behind me the whole way. I will never forget them. |
| -Michelle |
Before I came to Boys Town, I was living a life that was leading me nowhere. I knew I would amount to nothing. I had an attitude problem. I was very selfish. It kept me from things in life that were far more important. I was doing nothing to mend my family’s relationships. I didn’t want to give up things in my life. I was destroying any chance to be successful. So when I came, I felt I needed something new. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew something had to change in order to progress anywhere. It took me a while to learn, but I did learn and I am grateful. I am an example of what Boys Town can really do for you. |
| -Kirk |
When I came to Boys Town, I was going nowhere fast. I was full of anger and was depressed. My anger turned to aggression. I was confrontational. I couldn’t stay anywhere without getting into a fight or an argument. So when I came to Boys Town, I was still doing the same kinds of things that didn’t really click for me but, at the same time, I didn’t want it to. I hated it here. I never gave Boys Town a chance. I should have. I was always in trouble. One day I realized I realized I didn’t want to be the kid that no adult liked. So I started to change. I gave Boys Town a chance. I didn’t hate it anymore and I began to like it. My grades went from C’s and D’s to A’s and B’s. I was not depressed. I was not mad at the world. You helped me change. You are my family. I had a family before, but we weren’t family. Boys Town gave me a relationship with my stepmom, a relationship with my dad I never thought I would have. They set me up for success. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Geneva |
When I came to Boys Town, I wasn’t interested in getting better. I was interested in myself. I wanted what I thought I needed and everything was wrapped around me. What Boys Town has done for me is make me a different person, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I am no longer the selfish person I was. I will be a good dad because of this. |
| -Patrick |
| Before I came to Boys Town, I was a very defiant, rebellious little girl. I did whatever I wanted. I longed to be loved by someone. My mother was very abusive toward me in every way possible. I was beat up by her fist, taken advantage of by her boyfriends and thrown down by her words. I lost all respect for myself and people around me. I started looking for love in all the wrong places until I came to Boys Town. When I came, I was so sneaky around my Family-Teachers and I always lied. Right when I got here, I got myself in some real big trouble and boy did I hate going to Respite. It was the beginning of a new me. I have now gained respect for myself. I have gotten in contact with God. I know without Him I would not have made it this far. I know who I am now and what I stand for. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Andrea |
Before I came to Boys Town, I was a delinquent with a bad attitude toward the law, toward myself and toward anybody that was in authority over me. I was very disrespectful, unappreciative and rude to whoever tried to help me. If I didn’t like what you had to say then I wanted you to get out of my face and leave me alone. I was one of those teenage statistics whose parents are divorced and who are becoming juvenile delinquents…I was a mess. When I came, I did not want to buy into the program. I said I don’t need any of this. There is nothing wrong with me. I slowly realized there was something wrong with me. After a while, I decided to buy in and get better. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Steven |
Before I came to Boys Town, I was a wreck. I was constantly on the run. I was lonely so I would turn to whoever would show me a little love or comfort. I hated my parents for the pain they caused me and the abusive relationship. Then I ran into men who abused me. My friends were druggies and alcoholics, you name it. I was friends with them all. When I came, I wanted to go home to the home I didn’t have. I was so stuck on getting back to the guy who didn’t even care about me, but I wouldn’t listen. I ran only to have reality slap me in the face. This boyfriend I thought I had pushed me aside. Boys Town made me feel secure and has given me many chances to straighten out my act, to prove what I am capable of. You have helped me be successful. I am graduating as a Certified Nursing Assistant. You have helped me take control of my life again and put me on the right path. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Jodi |
When I came to Boys Town, I didn’t want to be here and I was going to let everyone know that. I was very selfish. I didn’t care about how my actions affected other people. My mind was set on doing whatever I had to do to make my stay at Boys Town easy and quick. I didn’t want to hear anything that anyone had to say. I was always expecting the worse from people and I wasn’t disappointed. I was a mess. What Boys Town helped this young boy do, who is me, is to get rid of that hood mentality. You helped me realize not all people are bad. The people at Boys Town are different from the people everywhere else. When they tell you about something you are doing wrong, the intent is that it will help you, not put you down or make you feel bad. I have become another one of Boys Town’s success stories. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Felix |
When I was at home, I would steal from my mom and, when I came I didn’t take things seriously. You have been there for me to help me like a real family does. You have taught me. You have helped me be successful in school. I am very grateful. When I first came to Boys Town, I was a handful. I wanted to leave. I didn’t care what I did. I went noncompliant every day. I cared less about what other people thought of me. I didn’t like any of my housemates. Then I realized my Family-Teachers were teaching me what it really means to be a family, to be a lady and all about how to develop my character. They never gave up on me when I didn’t feel like I could go on. They never gave up on me when I pushed them away from my heart. They kept coming back with open arms. That’s what I call real family love. I have changed. I have climbed the mountain that I never thought was possible. I have overcome some of my childish and immature ways. I am glad I didn’t give up on myself or Boys Town. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Cindy |
