Sawyer Cheesman

My name is Sawyer Cheesman. I was at Lighthouse Ranch from 2013 thru 2014. I came to the Boys Ranch having just completed and passed my 2nd attempt at 9th grade, after failing because of missed days in the aftermath of losing my mom in 2013. The Ranch worked with me and gave me the blessing and opportunity to graduate high school while I was there.

I was an extremely lost soul when I arrived, broken and weak in mind, faith, and spirit. I had been in a deep hole of self-hate and ridicule, blaming myself for the problems and experiences in my life, but I discovered the Holy Spirit and found myself in the Lord. I had very violent and dark feelings of hate and anger toward life and its circumstances that caused me to lash out at the simplest of things that pushed a proverbial button in me. The Lord dealt with me, and moved me forward from the kid I was to the eventual man I was becoming, if I was not destined for a young grave.

The Ranch staff and my re-found faith helped me learn the man I was meant to be and become, and I chose to be baptized in the Ranch's home church, through the Lord, and through the words of wisdom from many influential men and women of God. I was blessed with not only mentors, but lifelong friends who are like family within the Ranch staff and the surrounding church family.

Lighthouse Ranch for Boys saved a very lost soul when they chose to let me enter the program. Without my experience there, I believe I was on a path to prison, or much worse. I am forever grateful for my time at the Boys Ranch.