Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches

Our Ranchers are on a roll!

jai_scott — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:50:52 +0000

In celebration of our Ranchers that made the Honor Roll, the tutoring staff at the Ranch hosted a party. To commemorate the occasion, the kids paired up in teams to “roll” their fellow Honor Roll recipients in toilet paper! The kids had a great time, and the race was on to see who could “roll” their teammate the fastest!

The local bakery generously donated a beautiful cake for our Honor Students and the kids had a great time playing games and celebrating their good grades.

We are so proud of our Ranchers for continuing to strive to do well in their classes. Way to go!

How can I teach respect and responsibility?

jai_scott — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:28:00 +0000

The Ranch recently held a contest to see what the children thought about respect and responsibility. They were asked to write a short essay on how they can teach both. Colten from Faith Hall won the contest; here are his ideas on teaching respect and responsibility:

Idea One: When I was at my other program, I learned how to respect the people that I trusted. If you allow the person to get to know you, then you will allow them to slowly gain respect for you. But you have to be willing to show them respect in turn.

Idea Two: My view on respect is that you cannot teach a person how to respect others, but you can teach them the tools to be respectful. You can give them the tools that will give them the choice to be respectful or not to be. I say you cannot teach people how to respect others because that is their choice – not yours.

Idea Three: Respect is a necessity that is not something that comes naturally to people. You have to teach yourself to respect the person when you are with even if you do not enjoy their company. This is like a job. If you have the job you have always wanted, but your boss is a jerk, then if you say disrespectful things to him, you will be fired. But, say mentally you disrespect him, that is your choice. On the outside though, you need to respect everybody. These problems are very serious, and they don’t just disappear.

Spring 2012 Ranch Report Now Available!

jai_scott — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:47:46 +0000

Click the image below to download the Spring 2012 Ranch Report (PDF).

East Arkansas residents “Open Hearts, Pump Up!” for the Ranch

jai_scott — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:52:31 +0000

Recently 11 Circle ‘N’ market stores in east Arkansas collectively raised over $10,000 during their annual Open Hearts, Pump Up campaign to benefit the ranch.

During the week-long fundraiser during the week of Valentine’s Day, Nimocks Oil Company, parent company of Circle ‘N’, pledged to donate two cents for every gallon of fuel purchased at each of its 11 locations. Circle ‘N’ customers and vendors also made donations to help reach a total of $11,162. Way to go east Arkansas!

Nimocks Oil Company owners Mallory and Carla Nimocks presented Ranch Chief Executive Officer, Mike Cumnock, and several County Sheriffs with a check on March 19 for the total amount raised during Open Hearts, Pump Up 2012.

Those in the photo include from left to right: Kristi Ratton, Connie Willhite, Rosa Myers, St. Francis County Sheriff Boby May, Lt. Justin Sharp, Ranch CEO Mike Cumnock, Mallory Nimocks and Craighead County Sheriff Jack McCann.

Note that this check was printed before all donations were collected.

An Invitation for All

jai_scott — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:15:06 +0000

A recent visit to the beautiful hills surrounding Mountain View led me to the home of long-time Ranch supporters Shirley and Hannah Dyke, who reside south of town approximately six miles off of a beautiful country road.

For our visit, the Dykes had something they were indeed excited to show me. They are constantly improving and upgrading much of their land and buildings. Recently, they purchased a property adjoining their residence and after nearly a year of diligent work, they have completed the entire restoration of a second “home” for the benefit of the Ranch children, our house parents, and even the Ranch Boy Scout Troop to potentially use and enjoy!

The foresightedness of the Dykes, not only as they work to consistently upgrade and apply conservation measures to their property, but as they consider the long-term needs of the Ranch children – is indeed a special opportunity for the children at the Ranch to experience an environment filled with the love and caring spirit of two very genuine friends of the Ranch – Shirley and Hannah Dyke.

We sincerely express our gratitude to the Dykes for their outward expression of interest, support and care of the Ranch children! They are indeed an inspiration to all of us.

By Dr. Fred Hueston, CFRE, Director of Gift Planning

“It’s All About the Kids” – Where Ranchers Tell Us About Themselves!

jai_scott — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:38:02 +0000

Read below for the inside scoop from Ranchers Abbi, Zeke, Lizzy, Jon-Michael and Zack! We asked them questions about some of their favorite things and future goals.

Abigail

Nickname: Abbi

Birthday: May 14

Grade: GED graduate

Favorite TV Show: The Hills

Favorite Movie: The Help

Favorite Song: “My Kinda Crazy” by Brantley Gilbert

Best Subject in School: English

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Sport: Volleyball

Favorite Season: Summer

My goal in life is to: Be happy.

Ezekiel

Nickname: Zeke

Birthday: August 12

Grade: 10

Favorite Cartoon: Tom and Jerry

Best Subject in School: Language

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Sport: Football

Favorite Season: Winter

Favorite Farm Animal: Dog

What I like here about my life at the Ranch? That

I can just be me.

Elizabeth

Nickname: Lizzy

Birthday: November 15

Grade: 10

Favorite Song: “You are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson

Best Subject in School: Drama

Favorite Singer: Michael Jackson

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Season: Fall

Hobbies: singing, dancing, being creative

My goal in life: To be someone I’m proud of.

What I like about my life here at the Ranch? I like knowing that I am not alone and that I am important and my life is too. I love knowing that there is somewhere out there that people want to help me and want to be there for me.

Jonathan

Nickname: Jon-Michael

Birthday: July 23

Grade: 10

Favorite Movie: Marly and Me

Favorite Song: “I love You This Big” by Scotty McCreery

Best Subject in School: Agriculture mechanics

Favorite Sport: Baseball

Favorite Farm Animal: Horse

My goal in life: To live the life I never had when I was a kid.

What I like about my life here at the Ranch? I

have the support I need to help me succeed in life to fulfill

my dreams and to get over my past life experiences.

Zack

Nickname: Z-boy

Birthday: December 19

Grade: 8

Favorite Movie: Transformers

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Sport: Football

Favorite Season: Summer

Favorite Farm Animal: Horse

Hobbies: Horse riding

My goal in life: To work at the Ranch.

T Tauri Movie Camp

jai_scott — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:02:29 +0000

Remember back in July when Rancher Kris was featured in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette for his stellar acting abilities? Well his video filmed at the T Tauri Movie Camp, along with another video created in part by Ranchers Zeke and Miranda, were both chosen to be screened in the Youth Showcase at the Indie Memphis Film Festival in November. Click the links below to watch Zeke and Miranda’s video “Movie Mania” and Kris’ video “Humanimation.”

Winter 2012 Crossroads Now Available

jai_scott — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:18:34 +0000

Click the image below to download the Winter 2012 Crossroads (PDF).

Ranchers Training to Show New Sheep

jai_scott — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:40:13 +0000

A generous donation of sheep at the Batesville Ranch a few months ago has led us to begin a show program for our new additions. I know that this is the easiest project to start as far as a show project for anyone just starting out. After a few emails, a donor offered to buy the Ranch a set of four ewe lambs to show in the fall, and then we are going to use the lambs to start raising our own flock of sheep. The lambs came from a breeder in Mississippi who is very well known for raising high quality show lambs. The kids at the Ranch are excited about the new project and are starting to prepare the animals to show at the North Central Arkansas District Fair in the fall of 2012.

I hope to grow the program to the point of raising our own show lambs to take to the Arkansas State Fair next year. The reason we are starting a show program is that I want the Ranchers to have the opportunity to show animals and understand the importance of farming in many different aspects. I feel that this program will help our kids learn responsibility, leadership, a hard work ethic, and an overall feeling of pride! The skills listed are all traits that we need to have, but they are especially something that the kids in today’s society need! We hope to expand the variety of animals soon to include goats and cattle. We are just trying to get new and exciting opportunities for children here at the Ranch!

By: Phillip Ives

Schoolwork at the Ranch

jai_scott — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:54:09 +0000

The ranchers have finished up the first half of the school year and are doing great. Each child attends tutoring sessions Monday through Thursday where the tutoring staff is made up of volunteers and school employees. Students can get help on their homework during sessions and spend time reading in our library.

A few of the ranchers are taking Spanish this year and are trying to master conversation skills. Math, a large part of every child’s education, takes time and dedication to understand. So, every day they learn a new lesson to build upon what they have already learned.

Since this generation is becoming more dependent on computers, our young people try to build on their computer skills. Sometimes the kids can even teach their tutors a thing or two when it comes to technology!

Art projects are encouraged for every student, and this gives them a chance to show us their natural talents.