Boys and Girls Country welcomed a new college graduate to its family recently.

Jason is the first of his family to earn a college degree, according to Director of Development Elaine Petranek.

Jason graduated from Texas Tech University in December and was supported and cheered on by the Boys and Girls Country, as he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.

“We were there cheering him on as he walked across the stage for his degree,” Executive Director Lou Palma said.

He first joined the Boys and Girls Country in 1993, when he was 12 years old, according to Petranek.

“He won our hearts with his big smile,” Palma said.

Jason had a love for animals and quickly began helping around the ranch at the Boys and Girls Country. He graduated from Waller High School in 2001 and then began attending a technical school, where he received a technical degree in Agribusiness, according to Palma.

From there, Jason began working for a company in Abilene.

“He was doing very well with his entry-level position, but he knew he could do more,” Palma said. “He met with his boss to discuss the possibility of becoming a manager. Jason’s boss told him that he was a great employee, but he pointed to his own college ring and said ‘when you get one of these, come talk to me.’”

Jason returned to the Boys and Girls Country, where he continued to work on the ranch for the next year and a half. It was then that he decided he wanted to go to college.

“Jason was nervous about going to college − no one in his family had even attempted it before,” Palma said.

In 2007, Jason moved to the college and career campus and completed his basic coursework at a community college. He then transferred to Texas Tech University in 2009, where he has now earned his degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics.

Palma said Jason has already set up several interviews.

“We know that the sky is the limit for this determined young man,” Palma said.

Boys and Girls Country has provided a home to children from families in crisis for 40 years. Petranek said the organization just celebrated its 40^th anniversary.

Through the Boys and Girls Country, young adults are aided in getting scholarships and any financial aid they are eligible for in order to attend college, Petranek said. She added that anything not funded for the children and young adults of the Boys and Girls Country is funded by the organization.

For more information, visit boysandgirlscountry.org.

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