In Nebraska we place a special emphasis on the importance of education. Graduation from high school or college is a particularly happy time. For so many young people, there is genuine excitement. Perhaps it’s the feeling of accomplishment along with the anticipation of unfolding opportunity--or maybe it’s simply the sigh of relief that exams are over. Whatever the reason, we celebrate the hard won accomplishments of students across our state.  

I participated in a high school graduation ceremony last week as a commencement speaker. After I finished my address, the young people were called forward to receive their diplomas in a ceremony marked by great formality, dignity, and lightheartedness. Even though family and friends were asked to hold their applause, their excitement couldn’t be contained. As each graduate crossed the stage, shouts of joy, encouragement, and clapping continued throughout the event.

Prior to the graduation, the students had participated in a retreat, giving them the opportunity for reflection and recommitment. During their last time together, here’s what a few students had to say:

“I ran in the wrong crowd, hated my family, kept running away from home and inflicted self-harm; at Boys Town I am a member of the JROTC and learned to like myself and my family. I look forward to returning home and being a good example to my younger brother.”

“I was in tons of trouble, my Mom and Dad were in gangs; I wanted to show everyone that I was smart enough to graduate once I came to Boys Town. I am the first person in my family to graduate. I am looking forward to college, something I never thought was possible.”

“I lived on the streets from age 10 to 13 and stole to eat; I ended up in prison and my cousin got shot in the face; I never played sports let alone attend school, but at Boys Town, I just finished playing baseball this year and signed with a college to study business.”

“My mom and dad were both in prison and I had trouble since kindergarten. In junior high I was locked up for two years and when I got out my mom had died. My dad was still in prison.  Since I have lived at Boys Town, I chose to get on the right track and graduate and made a promise to myself that I would never do anything that would land me in prison. Boys Town saved my life!”

“Everybody in my neighborhood expected me to be a pregnant drug girl. I once had a guy pull the trigger twice at me, but the gun misfired. I looked up to the wrong people. When I came to Boys Town I found out what a real family was supposed to be like and how loving it felt to be part of a truly caring family.”   
 
Fortunately, most children do not experience such trauma in their life. But some do. These are the kids who bear the scars of fraying social and familial bonds, destructive choice, and legal trouble. Sitting beside me at the ceremony were four judges from the juvenile justice system. Now the justices were celebrating the turnaround in the lives of these young people.   

Boys Town offers a remarkable model of academic and spiritual engagement. Students learn more than math and grammar; their teachers and care givers provide them with solid formation. Graduates are equipped to succeed not only professionally, but are also given the life skills to stay on the right path. Boys Town is so impactful that about 90 percent of students successfully reintegrate into their communities. Historically over time, many have joined the military.  

What is this extraordinary model of intervention?  It starts with a family.  Each child is placed into a family with a caring, nurturing mother and a protective, giving father—where there are rules and expectations, discipline and love. The success of Nebraska’s Boys Town has recently been duplicated in more than a dozen communities across America.

It was a special opportunity to speak to these students who have overcome extraordinary difficulties in their lives. Boys Town is a quiet institution nestled here in the Heartland. It does great service to America by helping to heal wounds during this socially fractured time. Congratulations to all graduates!