Wisconsin Challenge Academy cadets attend Champions gala

Wisconsin National Guard

The opportunity for a second chance in life has translated into a little bit more a trip to Washington D.C. to attend the National Guard Youth Foundation Champions Gala for four recent graduates of the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy. Denzel Parker of Milwaukee, Paul Becker of Glendale, Michael Schiffer of West Salem and Tyler Sabel of Fond du Lac were able to mingle with military leaders, members of Congress and celebrities at the March 1 event. They were invited as special guests by virtue of winning the National Guard Youth Foundation's YouTube video challenge. Their video was featured at the gala.

Two other cadets involved with the winning video Taylor Jean Maciosek of Stevens Point and Devan Farnsworth of Madison were unable to attend the gala due to commitments to AmeriCorps' National Civilian Community Corps.

During the gala, the Wisconsin cadets were recognized for their achievement and the winning video was played during the dinner. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, presented Parker, Becker and Schiffer with $2,000 scholarships  part of the prize for winning the video contest. Maciosek and Farnsworth will also receive $2,000 scholarships, and the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy received a $5,000 scholarship. The video winners also received Cisco Flip cameras.

Parker, the military honor graduate for Class 25, enjoyed his first airplane flight and sat next to American Idol winner Kris Allen at the gala.

Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy graduates Tyler Sabel of Fond du Lac, Denzel Parker of Milwaukee, Paul Becker of Glendale and Michael Schiffer of West Salem in front of the U.S. Capitol on March 2. The cadets attended the National Guard Youth Foundation Champions Gala for their role in a winning video on the Challenge Academy. Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy photo Wisconsin Army National Guard photo 

"I never thought I would have a chance to travel to Washington D.C., see everything that I have seen and meet such amazing people," Parker said. "This whole trip was unbelievable."

Parker, Becker, Schiffer and Sabel spent three days touring Arlington Cemetery, Washington’s monuments and memorials, the National Archive and the Smithsonian. Cadets received a tour of the Capitol building, arranged by U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl’s office, and attended sessions in both the House of Representatives and Senate.

Celebrities in attendance included Allen, country singer Gretchen Wilson, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., and actress Karri Turner.

The gala also recognized the 100,000th Challenge Academy graduate, signifying the program's success.

"When you think of the National Guard, you don't think educator, you think warfighter," said Gail Dady, president of the National Guard Youth Foundation. "But when you think about it, [no one] is better than the National Guard to create such a successful program."

Gen. Craig R. McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief, said that the National Guard Youth Challenge Program allowed cadets to earn something they might not otherwise have had a future.

Sgt. Darron Salzer of the National Guard Bureau contributed to this report.

Note to editors and news directors: A no-cost alternative program for "at-risk" youth, the Wisconsin Challenge Academy is now accepting applications for its next class of cadets entering on July 21. Located at Fort McCoy, Wis., the Academy offers teens that are at risk of not graduating a chance to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma, learn essential job and life-coping skills and, most importantly, develop the strength of character to become responsible citizens. On-site tours, cadet interviews and photos can be arranged by calling Admissions Coordinator Mary DeWitt at (608) 269-4605.