NJ Youth Challenge Academy Graduates 45th Class (Sound Bites)

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NJ Youth Challenge Academy Graduates 45th Class (Sound Bites)

444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

March 11, 2017 | 2:54

More than 250 people attended the graduation of New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy Class 45 on Saturday, March 11, at the War Memorial in Trenton.
The 81 Youth ChalleNGe cadets completed a 22-week quasi-military program sponsored by the New Jersey National Guard that provides 16- to 18-year-old high school dropouts the opportunity to earn a GED equivalency diploma. From there, ChalleNGe graduates either enter the job market, attend college, or enlist in the military.
At Saturday’s ceremony, Patryck Guzman of Camden, enlisted into the U.S. Army.
The keynote speaker, Steven Matias, was a 2006 ChalleNGe graduate who went on to earn a bachelors’ degree and is now an account manager for a media company.
As part of the program, which is conducted at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, cadets work to raise their math, social studies, science, and language arts by two grade levels and attend classes on resume building and life skills. The cadets perform community service and participate in a rigorous physical fitness program.

Interview:
Patryck Guzman, Graduate

National Anthem Singer:
Erving Lawson, Graduate

Remarks:
Victoria Ragucci, Director of New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy

Speakers:

Col. Edward J. Chrystal Jr. , Acting Deputy Adjutant General

Mr. Steven Matias, 2006 Challenge Graduate