Ninety-nine
cadets from 40 counties will graduate from the Wisconsin National Guard
Challenge Academy in a noon ceremony Saturday, Dec. 15, at Mauston High School.
The
Challenge Academy re-shapes 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.
Maj.
Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, is scheduled to address
graduates along with their parents, relatives, mentors, and friends on hand to
celebrate their success.
Three
cadets who previously graduated from Challenge Academy will receive
scholarships to the colleges of their choice:
Crystal Diaz of Oregon, Wis., was selected
to receive two $1,000 scholarships from the National Guard Youth Foundation and
BAE Systems, respectively. Diaz is enrolled at Madison Media Institute for
Entertainment Media Business in Madison.
Abel Thomas of Milwaukee will be awarded a
$1,000 scholarship from Northrop Grumman Information Services. Thomas is
attending Silver Lake College in Manitowoc.
Oshkosh Defense will award a $1,000
scholarship to Gabby Perales of Beloit, Wis. Perales is currently attending
First Class Cosmetology School in Beloit.
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. 17, 2013.
Applications are available for future classes by contacting the Challenge
Academy at (866) 968-8422
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment