Guthrie grads thankful for life on the ranch
"It's a real testament to the effort these boys made.” Peppers Ranch Executive Director Jim Williston
Teens will move to UCO campus to attend schoo
Guthrie grads thankful for life on the ranch

By John A. Williams

Published: June 26, 2008

But for two Guthrie High School graduates, the pomp and circumstance held more meaning.

Shawn Bell and Diante Webb were the first two residents of Peppers Ranch in Edmond to graduate from high school. Peppers Ranch is a residential community for abused boys.

Executive Director Jim Williston said the 18-year-olds have lived at the ranch for 31/2 years. In that time, they had to overcome more obstacles than most students.

"Most of the boys who come to us are already behind educationally, and not from a lack of ability but from a lack of attendance,” he said. "They bounce through the state system, and their consistency in school is not good.”

National statistics show children in foster care face an uphill battle when it comes to education, Williston said. About 50 percent graduate from high school, and only 11 percent of those graduates go on to college. Between 4 and 7 percent finish college or vocational school.

"It's a real testament to the effort these boys made,” Williston said.

Bell and Webb decided to attend the University of Central Oklahoma.

Webb said he will pursue a degree in music and business. His favorite classes at Guthrie High were choir and computers.

"Hopefully, I could run my own music business, be an entrepreneur,” Webb said.

Bell said he wants to study math and physical education.

His favorite classes in high school were weight lifting and algebra II. He said he enjoys college football, especially Notre Dame.

"I wouldn't mind being a high school math teacher or coach junior high sports,” Bell said. "Peppers Ranch has prepared me by teaching me to be responsible for my actions and the importance of a good education.”

Both new graduates work at a Sonic restaurant in Guthrie.

Now that they have turned 18, Williston said, they no longer can live at the ranch. Instead, Bell and Webb will live in UCO dorms. After their freshman year, they will receive help finding apartments.

"We are supporting them, and we will follow and help them through independent living,” Williston said.

Since its inception in 1999, Peppers Ranch has helped provide a stable home environment for boys age 5 and over who are victims of severe physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Sixteen boys live in the two homes on Peppers Ranch along with house parents.

Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford

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