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Judah shared these words from the stage at graduation:
I was originally apprehensive about coming to the Ranch, a program for - as far as I understood it - troubled or misguided youths, neither of which I considered myself. However, in weighing my options, I figured that it would be the best choice regarding my circumstances. Regarding my circumstances, I lost my mother to Covid-19 on November 8th, 2021, at just 14 years old. After her passing, I entered a long period of numbness regarding my grief that lasted until midway into the summer of 2023. I would later learn that her passing would result in the onset of my - now diagnosed - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I also needed some method with which I could finish my high school education, and the Ranch seemed like a way to kill two birds with one stone.

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the choice to come here is one of the best decisions I have ever made. During this time I have had the chance to be surrounded by a supportive community to help me in the processing of my grief, and a wonderful group of teachers to help me finish out high school. I have had some of my darkest days here. Days when I was genuinely unsure I could go on through the onslaught of unbridled sorrow and the mental spiraling due to OCD I have been subject to. But it is with joy that I look back and see that not one of those days has lasted.
The interns and staff here have been an absolute blessing to me in the last eight months. I never thought I’d cry on the shoulders of more strangers than I can count on one hand, but I have, and not once did I hear a complaint in regards. Neither did I hear a complaint when I woke up the entire guys dorm at one in the morning, nor did I hear a complaint from [my intern] who drove me to the ER.
This kind of unconditional love is reminiscent of the very kind that God shows us, and is more than I could ever ask for from a single person, let alone an entire team of ten or so.
Here at the Ranch, I have had the chance to live away from my family, in an environment where taking initiative was paramount, and it has taught me valuable life skills that I am positive I will take into adulthood. I have had the experience of dipping my toes into the water of autonomy, finally realizing that I have to, and am blessed to live my life as I see fit.
I need to say thank you to [CER counselor] Kevin Phillips. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. I cannot sugarcoat your importance to me. You of all people know exactly what I’ve been through, and you have helped me through all of it. Thank you for your wise counsel when I didn’t know what to do, thank you for the times you were there for me when I fell to pieces on your couch, thank you for the can of Coca-Cola I got out of your fridge, and thank you for every piece of peace and joy that you have sowed into my life. I promise you that it means an unimaginable amount to me.

And yes, I have known pain in my life, but it has made me who I am.
And yes, I will still have grief over the passing of my mother, but it’d be an injustice to the wonderful woman she was if I didn’t.
And yes, I have OCD, which can be treated, but is without a cure, but I can say with the confidence that can only be found through faith, that it doesn’t faze God for a second. He is working with me where I am, as the Ranch did unto me, and I am sure that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.
I have been loved so much during my time here, more than I can say in a three to five minute speech. So thank you to every single one of you. Every person here who sowed into my life. You have changed it. Thank you.
(Pictured: Judah flanked by his brother and father, who flew in from MO, on graduation day.)