Student Highlights

Office Clerk

Sean, one of our third-year students, is this month’s ‘Transformation Tuesday’ student highlight. Sean is using his additional time at Red Barn Academy to strengthen relationships in his life and to pursue a career in diesel mechanics. He is currently enrolled in diesel mechanics at Davis Technical College. Today, Sean is able to use his experience to help mentor the younger students. He is a shining example that if you stay the course you will get your life back.

“It means that I have the opportunity to build a better future for me and my daughter. To be able to thrive in life rather than just survive. By furthering my education in this structured environment it allows me to focus on school and fully apply myself without life’s usual distractions. It also allows me to help motivate the younger brothers in the academy, to not only stay the course but to help them realize that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.”

Master Resident–Admin Assistant

Jake was born on November 21, 1995, in West Valley City, Utah. He spent his early years in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sandy, Utah. Despite struggling academically, he excelled in football and wrestling. However, his desire to fit in led him down a path of drug use and crime.

Jake’s turning point came when he found himself back in Salt Lake County Jail and realized he needed a change. He entered Red Barn initially to avoid prison, but it soon became so much more. For the first seven months, he grappled with his identity and the program, eventually embracing the changes it offered and going all-in.

Jake’s commitment to whole-person change grew as he took on roles like Red Barn Movers Crew Lead, Intern Manager, and House Manager. Helping others and his personal growth motivated him to stay for a third year. Now, he’s pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Davis Tech, becoming the person he always wanted to be. The structure and community at Red Barn have been crucial to his development, showing that with the right support, change is possible.

Master Resident–Food Service Manager

Toppee’s recovery journey began long before May 28, 2022; it truly started over 40 years ago with his father’s struggle with addiction. Witnessing his father’s battles, victories, struggles, and eventual demise profoundly impacted Toppee. Unintentionally, he followed a similar path for over 30 years. His path was filled with lies, poor decisions, and self-centered behavior. A critical turning point came when Toppee realized he wasn’t living up to the values his parents had hoped to instill in him. He was not the person he was meant to be—a man of values, morals, accountability, and integrity.

On May 28, 2022, Toppee arrived at Red Barn Academy feeling broken, paranoid, scared, and unloved. He was brought here by his best friend Shane. His support was crucial in getting him to Red Barn. He was instructed to sit on “the bench,” a symbolic choice between his old life and a new one. Feeling overwhelmed with fear and loneliness, he initially wanted to leave. However, with Shane’s unwavering support and the guidance of fellow students, Bryce and Nicholas. Toppee decided to stay and fight for a better life. This decision marked the beginning of a more fulfilling and meaningful journey at Red Barn, supported by fellow residents battling similar struggles.

Over the next two years, Toppee embraced the values of hard work, accountability, and integrity. Today, he serves as a mentor to others at Red Barn Academy, and he engages in healthy activities and maintains a healthy lifestyle. Toppee is committed to extending his stay at Red Barn and actively participating in the Alumni group. As the Food Service Manager, he guides younger residents and interns, sharing his experiences and emphasizing the importance of living a life centered on honesty, integrity, empathy, accountability, and love.

Master Resident–Marketing Manager

Ethan’s journey began in Davis County as the eldest sibling in his family. Homeschooled through elementary school, he excelled academically but struggled socially, finding solace in music and art.

In high school, Ethan’s path took a challenging turn. He started experimenting with drugs and alcohol, seeking connections in harmful places. His grades started to slip, and he started the first of many encounters with the criminal justice system. After graduating from Davis High in 2014 and a brief attempt at college at Weber State University, Ethan’s life spiraled further into substance abuse, eventually leading to Federal felony charges at age 21.

Ethan had a pivotal decision to make when faced with the consequences of his actions. In 2021, he contacted Red Barn Academy, seeking a fresh start. What began as a means to avoid prison became a life-changing journey. Over two years, Ethan found a sense of purpose, passion, and peace. He started mending his family relationships and rebuilding the bridges he burnt. Falling in love with personal growth and reinvention, Ethan opted to stay another year to continue becoming the man he knew he could be and provide hope and inspiration to the younger students.

Ethan held several leadership roles at Red Barn Academy, including Red Barn Movers Crew Lead, Corporate Development Manager, and House Manager. Now, in this third year, Ethan is the marketing manager pursuing an education in graphic design and marketing. Ethan’s journey of whole-person change is not over yet. He is incredibly grateful for the opportunities that Red Barn has presented him.