Does your vote count? Last fall, several Ranch students were able to accompany staff to the polls as the adults had the privilege of voting for several key positions in Tennessee. This experience led to many conversations about the voting process and how many have sacrificed for this opportunity.
Miss Britton, our Ranch Store Manager, decided to provide students with an opportunity to see how the voting process works in a way that would affect them individually. The Ranch Store is a place on campus that provides “wants” as “needs” have already been met for each student. These “wants” include items such as toys, snacks, gift certificates, and outdoor gear. Students earn Ranch Bucks randomly by being respectful to others, obedient, and helping with extra chores – and such.
A popular item in the store that cost enough for most students to attain is chewing gum. For our students, the type and flavor of the gum is of monumental importance. Miss Britton came up with a plan to allow students an opportunity to vote from a selection of four new flavors. Students were encouraged to voluntarily vote. Each student was given the opportunity to vote once, and only once. Prior to voting, students had opportunities to purchase a sample of each of the four flavors for 20 Ranch points.
At the end of the election, Miss Britton tallied the votes and announced that the flavor “Swedish Fish” had won. Swedish Fish! Who would have thought that would be the winner? Students who were disappointed in the outcome learned the importance of each vote. Also, if you choose to not vote, you have little room to complain about the outcome. Can you imagine? Swedish Fish flavored gum!
The Ranch Store is a great source of encouragement to the Ranch. Students earn Ranch Bucks each time they quote Scripture. In addition, they randomly are rewarded with bucks for good behavior, obedience, and going above and beyond with acts of kindness. In addition to spending their bucks on items at the Ranch Store, students may save their Ranch Bucks. At graduation, Pastor Wood happily presents each graduate with a check for twice the amount of Ranch Bucks they have saved.
We are very grateful for Miss Britton. She is diligent in tracking the Ranch Bucks that each student earns. In addition, she does a great job in keeping the Ranch Store operating and stocked with items that encourage our students. This would not be possible without Miss Britton and the many who donate to this area of the Ranch. Special thanks to the Alcoa and Sevierville Kiwanis Clubs for their participation!
