Each year, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch hosts a poignant and meaningful baccalaureate service, a special tradition that celebrates the graduating seniors and their journeys.
Unlike the typical school ceremony, the baccalaureate service focuses on the spiritual growth and achievements of the students, marking the culmination of their time at Boys Ranch. For many of these young men and women, it’s a celebration of overcoming adversity and achieving a major milestone in their lives.
The baccalaureate service takes place on the Friday night before graduation, drawing families, staff, and community members together in a chapel ceremony filled with both joy and bittersweet farewells. The atmosphere is charged with emotions as graduates walk down the aisle in their caps and gowns to the familiar sound of “Pomp and Circumstance”—a moment that feels very much like a traditional graduation. However, this service offers something more—it offers a spiritual tribute to their growth, faith, and the road ahead.
A key part of the baccalaureate service is the presentation of a personalized Bible. Each graduating senior is called up by name to receive a Bible, engraved with their name, as a symbol of the spiritual foundation they’ve built at Boys Ranch. This Bible, presented in a special gift bag, represents more than just a religious token. It symbolizes a deep and meaningful connection to the faith community at Boys Ranch.
“The baccalaureate service is a time to honor our kids. It’s mixed emotions—while there’s sadness that they’re leaving, there’s also immense pride in seeing them reach this milestone,” said Ray Martinez, Senior Chaplain at Boys Ranch and a former house parent. “We’re proud of them for persevering, for growing spiritually and for the progress they’ve made.”
The service often features a special speaker who offers an encouraging word to the graduates. It’s a moment of inspiration and hope as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. Prior to the service the Dining Hall hosts a grand feast for staff, students and visitors.
“I love coming together as the Boys Ranch community for baccalaureate service. Sharing a final chapel service and exquisite meal as our seniors prepare for graduation is a long-honored tradition at Cal Farley’s,” said Tracy Griffin, a longtime house parent. “It’s a time to share memories, laughter and tears for our seniors before the celebration and busyness of setting off on their own.”
While the service is an emotional experience for all involved, it is especially significant for the staff who have worked closely with the students. House parents, coaches, caseworkers and teachers are all part of these students’ journeys.
“For us, this is a celebration of the kids’ journey, and it’s a reminder of how far they’ve come,” Ray said. “It’s deeply personal.”
The spiritual component of life at Cal Farley’s is central to the mission at Boys Ranch. Every student attends weekly chapel services, where they learn about faith and develop their relationship with God.
“Our goal is to show them that they are loved by God, and to build trust—often, this is the first step in helping them begin to trust again after experiencing trauma,” Ray said.
“We don’t force it; we live it out, showing love and patience as they grow.”
The baccalaureate service, with its focus on spiritual growth and community, encapsulates the core values of Boys Ranch. It’s a moment of recognition for the hard work, resilience and faith that the students have built during their time at Boys Ranch. As they step into the world, they do so with a foundation of hope and love that will guide them into their futures.
“It’s bittersweet. There are years when it’s hard to sing because you see these kids, who you’ve watched grow, sitting there on the front row,” Ray said.
“But it’s also joyful, knowing they’re ready for the next step in their lives. This is what makes our work so meaningful.”