It’s that time of year when the parting of ways begins for parents everywhere. For the houseparents, teachers and staff at Hill Country Youth Ranch and Big Springs Ranch for Children the season is no different as we prepare to send some of our "babies" into the big wonderful world of the rest of their lives.

Nine seniors graduated this year from Brune High School on the Big Springs campus, some of them having been with us for many years, and we are both sad and excited about their adventure ahead – wonderful things await, but our hearts have to bear an empty space. Here we pay tribute to our graduating flock, and hope you take a minute to remember them too, as you have seen them grow up in these pages over the years.

Cassandra has lived on the Ranch for nine months. She was born in Hondo, and enjoys playing with her daughter Ayveah and being involved in sports at the school. Her favorite sport is basketball and her favorite subject to study is science. After graduation she will live and work at Enhanced Horizons in Ingram, and would like to become a nurse at a local hospital. "It was the teachers and staff who helped me to graduate early," Cassandra said, "and if it weren’t for everyone at Brune School, I couldn’t have done it."

Brittany has attended Brune Charter School for three years. She was born in Galveston and has resided in Leakey for about six years. Hanging out with her friends, talking on the phone and playing sports are her choice of leisure time activities, and her favorite sport is volleyball. Her favorite subject at Brune Charter is math. After graduation she plans to attend Alvin Community College. She would like to become a paralegal for a prominent law office. "The teachers are great here, there is so much help," she said. "Now I have confidence in myself." Brittany tells classmates, "When you think it’s not worth it . . . it probably is."

Tyler, a 17 year old senior, has attended Brune School for four years. He was born in Boaz, Alabama and has lived in Leakey for seven years. Tyler enjoys listening to and playing music and hanging out with his friends. He loves football but his favorite subject is music. After graduating Tyler plans to attend Sul Ross State University in Alpine. He will major in music and would like a career in the music field.

Eighteen year old Senior Danielle resides at Big Springs Ranch, where she has lived for a year and a half. She was born in Waco. Among the many activities available at the Ranch, Danielle most enjoys working out, athletics, hanging out with her friends, and being a mentor to her younger classmates. Danielle’s favorite sport is softball and she loves to study math. After graduation Danielle plans to attend Sul Ross State University in Alpine, majoring in Sociology and Communications. To her fellow classmates she says "Don’t look down on anyone unless you’re helping them up."

Reese is a 19 year old senior who has attended Brune School for seven years. He was born in Houston, but has resided in Kerrville for the past 18 years. Reese enjoys playing guitar and anything having to do with music. Soccer is his favorite sport and he relishes science. After graduation Reese will attend Texas State University and major in Visual Arts with a minor in Music. The person Reese admires the most is Jimmy Page.

Mikey has attended Brune School for four years. He was born in Big Spring, Texas, and has lived in Leakey for about 11 years. He enjoys working with computers, listening to music and watching movies. Mikey’s favorite sport is rugby. At school he particularly loves economics and rocket science. Mikey has been accepted at Blinn College. He plans to study computer science and then work at a computer company after graduating. The people that Mikey admires the most are his friends.

Zeb is an 18 year senior who lives at Big Springs Ranch. Zeb has lived on Ranch for 4 1/2 years attending Brune Charter School the entire time. Zeb was born in San Antonio, but he loves living in the country. He enjoys playing basketball and working on building projects. Science and computer classes are his choices for favorite subjects at school. Zeb plans to go to college after graduating from Brune. He would like to work at a computer graphics company after college. Zeb admires most the teachers and staff at Brune School. Zeb says to all his fellow classmates: "The only way to make your dreams come true is wake up."

Meagan attended Brune Charter School during the ‘08-09 school year. She was born in Galveston and moved to Leakey three years ago. She enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, and loves art and listening to music. After graduation Meagan plans to attend UTSA to study Graphic Design, while caring for her daughter. Of the people Meagan most admires in her life, her Uncle Rick and Aunt Kandy are tops. "Love is giving someone the power to destroy you, but trusting them not to," she said.

Autumn has attended Brune High for four months. She was born in Lompoc, CA and has lived in Leakey since July, 2008. She enjoys horseback riding and art, and her favorite sport is basketball. Science tops her list of favorite subjects. Autumn has been accepted at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She would like to major in Animal Science. "I came to Brune because I wasn’t getting the help I needed at my other school. Here I got the support I needed and I am glad to be graduating."