Bruce Wayne Davis, '81, Fought His Way Into Boys Town
In 1976 Bruce Wayne Davis was just another school kid in Lincoln, Nebraska. After winning a flag football game against the best team in their school league he decided to follow all the kids from both teams to the side of the school, where unbeknownst to him, the competition was going to continue with a post-game fight. Being challenged to either fight or be known as a chicken he joined in the fray. He was grabbed from behind and thinking it was a kid from the other team he hauled off and planted a punch on his would be assailant only to realize that he had just hit the principal of the school. Suspension followed immediately and soon after his journey to Boys Town began.
As with many newly arrived youth, Davis fought the system and took a negative attitude towards everyone and everything. “I was going to get my way, one way or the other.”, he says.
Time and caring people have a way of softening hard attitudes and Davis recalls that day. “My most favorite memory of Boys Town was the day I realized that everyone there wanted to truly help me and that was the day I finally gave in to the system. It changed my life and gave me hope for my future.” He still had issues to deal with because he still wanted to do things his way. “I realized that doing things the right way got me way further ahead than trying to do it my way.” says Davis. Learning independent living skills was something he really enjoyed and uses to this day. “I really enjoyed all of my brothers from different mothers who shared the struggle with me! I enjoyed going to summer camp and the farm getting to ride horses. Playing sports also kept me out of trouble. Yeah, there were a lot of favorite memories from BT that I am grateful for to this day!
Although Davis wouldn’t have admitted it when he was at Boys Town, his Family-Teachers®, the Family- Teachers® of his friends, coaches and school teachers had a positive and lasting influence on him. He fondly remembers, “They drilled into my head that I could do anything I put my mind to. The fellows I lived with at Boys Town encouraged me. I saw examples of who I wanted to be like and those I didn't. Boys Town, as a whole, helped and inspired me. I was also inspired by the guys that had already graduated because it proved to me that I could be a success if that is what I wanted.”
In looking back at his Boys Town experience, Davis has this to say; “Boys Town gave me the discipline, independent living skills and Social Skills I needed to survive anywhere! I tell you the truth I hated Boys Town until the day I had to leave. When I realized that Boys Town was preparing me for life I didn't want to leave. However graduation day arrived and it was time! After graduation I knew I was not ready because I was fooling around not taking what I learned at Boys Town seriously so I joined the military and it was a smooth transition because Boys Town taught me everything they were asking me to do! I finished the Military with an Honorable Discharge. It was because of everything Boys Town had taught me. To this day I can honestly say I still use what Boys Town taught me such as appropriately disagreeing and negotiation skills. Following instructions sounds basic but it moved me up the ladder faster than anything else! Thank you Boys Town "BIG TIME".
After spending two years in the military, Davis returned to Nebraska and worked as a car salesman before opening his own Allstate Insurance Agency Office. Over the years he has been with several insurance companies. Davis and his wife wanted to have a job where they could work together so they became Family-Teachers® at Boys Town. “I didn't want to do it at first but I thought to myself; who could help these kids better than me? They could not give the excuse that you don't know what it feels like to be at Boys Town! My answer to them was ‘Yes I do, I was sent to Boys Town and had to stay until I graduated!’ I still get emails from kids in our house thanking me for being there for them...Priceless!!”.
After finishing his Family-Teacher® time Davis started his own cleaning business, Corporate Clean, Inc. Smiling, he says, “I spent a lot of time cleaning on the Sub-System earning my points to get my privileges for the next day! Another of the many lessons I learned at Boys Town!”
Davis is the owner of Medicare Super Hero Agency helping people to understand and navigate the Medicare enrollment process and helping with Medicare Supplemental Insurance needs. “I love that my clients refer to me as Bruce Wayne aka Batman. My wife thinks I need to grow up, however, I told her I’m not doing it because it’s a trap.” he says with a large grin.
For the future Davis says this, “My plans are to give back and to let it be known how Boys Town has really impacted my life and the lives of others! I want to be an example for anyone who doubts that the system works. It will work for anyone who is willing to have the right mindset. I want to find everyone I knew at Boys Town and give them a big hug. I want to tell the teachers, coaches and everyone how grateful I am for Boys Town.
Davis is married and together he and his wife have raised six boys and one girl and have 14 grandchildren…the last one born on May 29, 2021. “I live on 2 acres of land near Snohomish, Washington with my family, a cow, goats, chickens and eight dogs between us. We have a pond with fish and some of our children and grandchildren live with us on the property. The rest live in other parts of the country. We have a giant gazebo and a fire pit where we sit and spend family time. My wife is a scientist who traveled the world in her job until the COVID-19 pandemic. We both work from home now. It's like a camp resort atmosphere where we live, love and laugh till our stomachs hurt. We have everything we need on the ranch and for that I give glory to God!”
Davis’ errant punch in 1976 was the first step on the road to the life he has today. “That was the best thing that could have ever happened to me, now that I look back on it! It literally saved me from a dead-end life on the streets which was where I was headed!”.
Davis is a Lifetime Member of the Boys Town National Alumni Association.