“Without participating in The Ranch Leadership Program, I don’t know where I would have ended up. Sometimes I sit down and think about all I’ve been through. The people in The Ranch Program took me by the hand and guided me to become a better person. They trained me to become a leader, not a follower, and to make my own decisions. I appreciate everything that this program has done for me. I encourage everyone to follow their dreams and never give up.” -- Ermando Engriano, currently attending the College of New Rochelle

“The Ranch made me realize that life has a greater meaning to it than I originally thought. It’s a really inspiring program, because it took a kid like me and made something out of him. It gave me motivation, desire and inner strength when things got tough.

The Ranch has helped a lot of people become successful. I learned that we’re all going to encounter different types of challenges in life. You have to know how to approach them. The program taught me a formula, which I have applied to every challenge that has come my way.”
-- Jonathan Rook, a freshman at Delhi University of Technology, who is planning to be come a Vet science major.

“Since I was a child, I grew up without a father figure. As I developed into a young man, I would live by my own rules. I was badly affected by my father, who walked out on me. I figured I wasn’t going to live life to its fullest.

When I was first introduced to The Ranch, I didn’t listen to what anybody had to say to me. The counselors saw that I had no motivation or goals. They knew I was failing in school, and on the verge of dropping out. It was then that they sat me down and explained the steps that I needed to take to succeed.

You talk about not having a father figure in your life, but to me a father figure can be found in those who make a positive impact on your life.”
-- Jose Lanzot, currently attending Bronx Community College

“Growing up in the South Bronx was pretty tough. Coming home from school I would see drug dealers selling crack in my building, junkies using heroin in the staircases right by my apartment door, shootouts that left people dead in cold blood. Dan Celentano and The Ranch Program helped me visualize the meaning of success. The program taught me how to take on life's challenges and overcome them; how to be a role model for the people around me; and how to succeed in life and be anything my heart desires.”
-- Luis A. Lugo, a graduate of The Ranch Program, currently attending the University of Minnesota. In June 2004, he’ll graduate with a business degree.

“When I started The Ranch Program, I was in the fourth grade at age 12. Before participating in the program, I had many problems. In my house I would never listen to my mother. I would come home whenever I wanted. My mother was even going to send me to a group home. The Ranch taught me how to take on challenges back in New York, have self-control, be a leader and stay away from trouble.”
-- Victor Estevez, a graduate of The Ranch Program, now attending the Alfred E. Smith High School in the South Bronx.

“My grandmother was getting real fed up with me, and worried that I might end up dead or drop out of school. When I came to The Ranch Program for the first time, Jesus showed me the tape of the mission. And that really got me motivated because I was hearing, ‘Oh, it's hard ... too hard for you. You might not be able to complete it.’ That was like a real rush for me. I went to The Ranch with people I didn't really know at first and we became a family. Everything was about team work. Dan taught us how things in the mission mean things in life.” -- Damian Pagan, 17, currently attending Health Opportunities High School

“The Ranch has helped me improve my academics in school. I’ve improved as a person . . . braver, stepping up to challenges and not backing down.”
-- Bruno Zorsa, 16, is a high school honor roll student and member of the Honor Society. He plans to attend college after he graduates.

"If I wasn't in The Ranch, I think I would've dropped out of high school. I want to be somebody in life.”
-- Roy Baez, 16, currently attending
Alfred E. Smith High School