Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE
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A Class of 2007 graduate receives his diploma from Father Steven Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director.
Click here to view Father Boes's baccalaureate address to the graduates.
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Graduation Fulfills Dreams of Boys Town Youths
More than 100 Boys Town youths throughout the country fulfilled their dreams when receiving their high school diploma. Many will agree the class of 2007 is full of many accomplishments.
Click here to hear graduates' reflect on their achievements at Boys Town.
In addition to the 99 graduates from Boys Town High School, four students from Boys Town California received diplomas, as well as one from Boys Town Louisiana.
"All of you have shared that moment, when you decided to let Father Flanagan's dream in your heart," said Father Boes in his address to Boys Town graduates. "My challenge to you graduates is: live it all the days of your life. Find some child that you can say, as Father Flanagan did, 'you are a good boy or girl.'"
Graduation is the culmination of young men and women's hard work to make positive changes in their lives. Among the graduates, 50 will pursue higher education and 21 enlisted in the military. Eighteen graduates plan to enter the Job Corps.
At the commencement ceremony on Boys Town's Home Campus, Father Bruce Wellems, Boys Town Chicago Executive Director, stressed three behaviors for graduates to continue: Ask for help, live life and never give up.
"You heal us together because you say 'I want to live,'" said Father Wellems. "And that expression of life allows us to let go of moments and move on. You have to let go in your graduation. But you say, 'I want to live.'"
Further reminders for the graduates came from one of their own. "Don't forget there are consequences for everything you do, and don't forget that you have been part of a legacy," said Tracy, a Class of 2007 graduate. "We may not all be proud of where we come from, but now we can all be proud of the part we played in this family. Father Flanagan, thank you for creating a legacy that we are now able to call our own. Friends, never give up. Work hard to achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams."
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As Boys Town graduates continue their life's journey, Father Wellems asked them to remember a prayer from Saint Francis of Assisi. "Every time you pray, 'Make me an instrument of your peace,' in your heart, you're with Father Flanagan," Father Wellems said, "because this man stepped in to the world all the time. He said, 'Make me an instrument of your peace.' And you know what, he lived. What a great prayer and what a great man, a spirit for you to live."
Boys Town is proud of the 2007 graduates and wishes them much success as they continue their journey.
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