When I came, I was a little kid just watching my two sisters walk off the stage and graduate. I always hoped and dreamed that it someday might happen to me. Boys Town has shown me how to become a real man.

Boys Town has really been there for me all the way. They made my own dream come true. Thank you Boys Town.

-Scott

When I came to Boys Town, I was suffering on the inside. I had no clue who I was, what I was worth and why I was in the place. I was afraid of being hurt because I was abandoned by many people, including my own parents. I kept it all inside of me and pushed those who wanted to help me away.

When I came, I was very happy. I had always wanted a family that would care for me and never give up on me. My Family-Teachers have sacrificed so much for me. I cannot thank them enough. For the first time in life, I can tell you that I love someone. I never thought the word love would come out of my mouth, but I finally know what love is all about...sacrifice and not giving up.

Boys Town has helped me become a better person. It has shown me what love is all about. You have taken your time to help me and it has helped me a lot. Thank you for all you have done for me. I am thankful to have a family that loves and cares for me. I will be a proud graduate from Boys Town. Thank you.

When I came to Boys Town, I was having a lot of problems with my family. I was struggling. People thought negatively of me and nothing effected me. If I didn't come here, I would have dropped out when I turned sixteen and would not have fulfilled my dreams.

When I came and went to school, I got my grades up. I was off the streets. I was sober. I quit getting into fights. Things were going good. Of course, I made a lot of mistakes. Everybody does. Sometimes we learn from them. It takes awhile. I had to change and I did.

When I came to Boys Town, I felt alone. I didn't want to be close to anyone. I usually just kept to myself.

Without Boys Town, I would not have made it. It has allowed me to get into the Army. My Family-Teachers have worked hard to get me to realize many things. They have gotten me to realize that I need to mature a lot.

When I came, I was hopeless. I did not have any guidance. I had no direction to go in except down. I did not care how others thought of me. I only cared about myself. I failed miserably in school. I got into fights and cussed at my teachers all the time. My peers all hated me. I knew it, but I did not care.

But here at Boys Town, my Family-Teachers taught me that "success will only stop when you do." It means that if you stop and give up on yourself, don't expect to get anything good out of it. Only you can achieve your own goals.

Boys Town has given me the motivation and the means to strive to go further...beyond all expectations. The thought of graduating from here was far from my mind when I came. I thought I would leave after a year. Here I am graduating in the Class of 2007. I never thought I would make it.

Before I came to Boys Town I was just following down the same path everyone else was. It was not common for someone to graduate from high school where I grew up. I didn't care if what I was doing was wrong. I hated going to school.

What Boys Town has done for me is to help me learn how to trust again. Boys Town has helped me dream a dream and be able to live that dream. Boys Town has given me a future I never thought I would ever have. Boys Town has given me a chance. Thank you Boys Town.

When I came I was what people call a juvenile delinquent. I was wandering the streets, always looking for a fight or for something to steal. I was carrying a gun. I was unstoppable. Many times I came close to dying and that was my wake-up call.

What Boys Town has done for me is give me the two most wonderful people other than my main family. They are my Family-Teachers. Without them, I would not be as successful because they have always cared about me and found a way to help me with my future. And I learned to love Christian, my Family-Teacher's little child, like a little brother. That little boy doesn't see me as a bad kid, but as a big brother. Every time I fell down, all I had to do was look at him and somehow he would make me laugh.

Before I came I didn't know who I was and didn't have control of my life. My emotions and anger had control. I didn't care any more. I wasn't about to accept anyone's help. I was just too stubborn. When I heard about Boys Town, I knew I had a chance to work myself up.

What they have done for me is help me find myself. I have learned that I can be who I want to be, a good person. I don't need to lose my temper or get upset when things aren't going right. I learned how to smile, both on the inside and the outside, knowing that I have a family here to turn to when times get rough. They have helped me see I can be a strong leader and accomplish much.

Before I came I lived in a broken home full of broken promises made either to me or ones I made to others. I was full of depression and my depression led to anger. I knew I had dug a hole, but felt there was no way out. I turned to music and when music lost its touch I really didn't have anything.

-Rebecca

Before I came to Boys Town I was a mess. I did not go to school because no one in my family graduated from high school. I thought it was a waste of my time. I was a person with no purpose.

Boys Town has made me a better person. They gave me my Family-Teachers, who were there for me when no one else was. They taught me true character. They taught me what it means to be a family. Before I came, I thought families only fight, argue and drink together. I know now that's not true. And I thank them for not letting me use that as an excuse. What I have done for Boys Town is become a positive role model. I have shown the peers in my house how to move on from struggles. That was my way of paying back Boys Town for giving me a second chance. Thank you Boys Town.

When I came I was ten years old and confused. I didn't care about any one. I only wanted to be able to do what I wanted. I did not do well in school, did not listen to my parents, stole things and got in trouble with the police.

When I came, at first, I did not want any help. I did not want God to be in my life. I shut everybody out so they could not help me. I soon came to realize that people here were only trying to help me get better. I didn't want it at first, but soon I let them in. I let my mom and dad in first, then I let Boys Town in and I let God into my life.