On June 9, we had a 50 year reunion and invited former staff and students to come “home” for a special day of memories.  At the event we asked students to fill out forms giving us information about their life story and the impact that Cookson had on them and their families.  Here are a few of the results.  Each of the quotes are from different young people who were placed at Cookson Hills.

“Cookson Hills gave me a new start in life.  Everyone at Cookson helped me grow intellectually and spiritually.  They helped me realize my potential as a human being and a child of God.  My memories at Cookson far outweigh the bad memories I had from before I came.  Cookson Hills prepared me for a responsible adult life and a successful college career.  I graduated on May 5, 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in English education.  I am excited about my future as an English teacher, a mom, and a wife.  I have been extremely blessed in my life and I am thankful to Cookson Hills that I am able to recognize my blessings.  I hope to share my blessings with my future students.  Thank you to staff, family, and friends at Cookson Hills Christian School.”

“I was 16 years old and was failing miserably at home and in school.  I lived in Florida and while in a runaway shelter, a counselor told me about Cookson Hills.  I wanted nothing to do with another children’s home.  However, once I toured the house I decided I wanted to be part of a family.  Thanks to Cookson, I’m still alive and happily married to a wonderful Christian man.  We have three beautiful daughters and I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom (something I learned from my wonderful houseparents).  We strive to live a godly life and to teach our children God’s principles (which I didn’t know of before Cookson).”

“I was sent to Cookson after a short stint of delinquency that certainly would have led to a seriously misguided future or even jail.  I was given amazing and tough guidance here, which I needed.  After a steady year of guidance and love from my houseparents, I began to turn around and see God’s love through them.  Many of the spiritual truths given to me here did not take effect until years later.  I am eternally grateful to the righteous training I received at Cookson Hills through my houseparents and everyone during my time here.  God bless you all!”

“Cookson Hills saved my life.  For some of us there was nowhere else to go.  I had the privilege of living with wonderful houseparents.  I came in 1996 and graduated in 2002.  Now I’m a car salesman in Ardmore, OK and married to a beautiful wife that keeps me in line.  I put everyone involved in my Cookson upbringing through so much, but they all continued to help me evolve from a better kid to a better man.”

“Cookson Hills gave me a loving home and tried to instill in me the values I needed to succeed in life.”

“I came here as a very troubled teenager – headed for a lot of trouble.  My houseparents turned my life around and helped me find God.  If it were not for me coming here, I’m not sure how I would have turned out or where I would have ended up.  I thank God that Cookson and my houseparents came into my life.”

(c) Cookson Hills Christian Ministries 2004