Wisconsin Challenge Academy to honor 103 graduates, scholarship recipients

One hundred and three cadets from 38 counties will graduate from the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy in a noon ceremony Dec. 17 at Mauston High School.

The Challenge Academy reshapes the lives of at-risk 16-to-18-year-olds. It uses a structured, military-style environment and state-certified teachers and counselors to build cadets' academic abilities, character, self-confidence, and personal discipline.

After graduating from the 22-week residential phase of academy training, cadets are paired with hometown mentors who offer guidance and encouragement in pursuing their new direction in life.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is scheduled to address graduates along with their parents, relatives, mentors, and friends on hand to celebrate their success.

Five prior Challenge Academy graduates will receive scholarships to the colleges of their choice. Aaron Brandau of Brookfield, Wis., was selected to receive a $5,000 National Guard Youth Foundation Regional Scholarship. Brandau is enrolled at UW-Waukesha pursuing a degree in marketing. The Foundation will also award $1,000 scholarships to Brenden Sann of Wausau, Wis., and Samuel Puchalla of Kiel, Wis. Sann is currently attending UW- Marathon County majoring in psychology, while Puchalla is attending Indian Hills Community College pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Isaac O'Keefe of Eau Claire, Wis., will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship from ManTech International Corporation. O'Keefe is attending Globe University majoring in massage therapy. Oshkosh Defense will award a $1,000 scholarship to Michale Schiffer of West Salem, Wis. Schiffer is currently attending Western Wisconsin Technical College pursuing a degree in Web and software development.

Twenty-eight states and Puerto Rico offer similar programs nationwide. More than 100,000 teens have successfully completed the National Guard youth programs since 1993. In Wisconsin more than 86 percent of cadets who finish the program receive their high school equivalency diploma (HSED), and more than 80 percent stay out of trouble with the law.

The Wisconsin Challenge Academy will begin its next class Jan. 12, 2012. Applications are available for future classes by contacting the Challenge Academy at (866) 968-8422 or visiting their website at Challengeacademy.org.