Keaton Grad

 Keaton has worked for us since October 2020. He met Jake through FFA and Ogden Ag classes. He is a kind boy that has a love for the farm. He lives near Boone, has a sister and lives with his mom who works long hours. His dad hasn't been present in his life for several years. We noticed, he doesn't like to spend time at home. He would fill his days and spend as much time as possible on the farm. He wanted to be a country boy and a farm kid. He drives a truck he is proud of and wears boots everywhere. He was the president of his FFA group and involved in welding projects and classes. He is a good kid, liked by the teachers. I am glad Jake has him as a friend. He doesn't like to drink or party, and keeps out of trouble and is genuine. Mark has been giving him roping lessons most of the early spring before we got busy in the field. I gave him several pointers on riding and showed him how to tack up a horse and some riding basics. He seems to really enjoy it and learns fast. He was starting to catch at a slow lope on Roany. I think Mark enjoys teaching him and I think he enjoys a fatherly figure in his life. Working for us has been helpful to Mark in getting little odd jobs done. Sometimes it wasn't always done thoroughly and may have needed some extra work to fix or finish, but he liked the job. I know there were times that Mark was probably hard on him for mistakes, but that comes with any job and boss. Jake made a few new friends in DMACC, and the boys  all hang out together. I am so thankful Jake has good friends. We went to Keaton's graduation party. It was small with his family and girlfriend. Jake filled a cooler with Keaton's favorite Dr. Pepper. He will go on to DMACC for the welding program.

 2022 -Fast Forward to summer, we began to see less and less of Keaton outside of his working hours. He stopped roping with Mark and stopped hanging out with Jacob. It made Jake sad and he really couldn't figure it out, he always had an excuse. He had a new friend, a friend with a big fancy truck and his family would go out boating. Keaton hung out with his new friend all the time. Mark and his employees started noticing a personality change in Keaton too. He took summer college classes and worked at the shop 8-10 every morning. In August  his classes ran late at night. The week before we started harvest in the field, he gave Mark the excuse that he needed to quarantine because his mom had been exposed to someone with covid. Well that quarantine excuse has not been in effect for months. People only quarantine if they are sick with covid themselves anymore. We knew it was another excuse and that was the last we had seen or heard from Keaton.  It really is too bad. I know the boys really enjoyed having Keaton as a friend. We know that he went on to take classes and finish the welding program.