PINEVILLE, La. – Families and friends filled the sanctuary at the Pentecostals of Alexandria Church in Alexandria to watch 118 cadets graduate from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth Challenge Program Class Dec. 14.
The graduation marks the 30th anniversary of the Louisiana National Guard program, which has produced more than 28,000 graduates over three decades. Louisiana’s YCP accounts for 14% of all national graduates and has the highest annual graduation total in the country.
YCP is an alternative education program for 16- to 18-year-olds, offering them an opportunity to change their future through teamwork, discipline and personal development. The program focuses on eight core components: life coping skills, academic excellence, job skills, responsible citizenship, leadership and followership, health and hygiene, service to community and physical fitness.
Brig. Gen. Jason Mahfouz, LANG assistant adjutant general-Army, presided over the ceremony and called attention to two distinguished guests who significantly impacted the 30-year success of YCP: retired Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, former adjutant general of Louisiana, and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Sapp, former LANG senior enlisted advisor-Army and former LANG Education Programs senior enlisted advisor.
Mahfouz spoke on behalf of Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, and enlightened the audience on the support that Friloux and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry give the longstanding program. Earlier this month, Landry signed the first proclamation honoring the LANG’s YCP.
Mahfouz also introduced commencement speaker Jennifer Buck, retired deputy assistant secretary of defense for Reserve Affairs. Buck has been involved with YCP since its inception 30 years ago.
“Congratulations, cadets; congratulations, justifiably proud parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends and mentors. I am very honored to share this moment with you,” Buck said.
She shared advice with the graduates:
“Dream: The most important step in getting what you want in life is deciding what it is you want. Your dreams only work if you do. Believe: What we tell ourselves can be our greatest limitation. We all have a little voice in our head telling us things all the time. Achieve: Dreaming and believing are worthless without doing. Do whatever task you are given with excellence.”
YCP has two phases. The first is a 22-week residential, military-style program where cadets work on their education and life skills in a structured environment emphasizing teamwork, discipline and personal growth.
“This cycle is one of significance because it is the 30th anniversary. The Youth Challenge Program has given 28,800 people a second chance and a new beginning in life,” said Cadet Zachary Hamilton of Prairieville. “My fellow cadets, we should feel proud and honored and hold our chins high as we walk across this stage and receive our graduation certificates.”
Hamilton, who was named Cadet of the Cycle, the program’s highest honor, received $1,000 in scholarships from the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria and YCP. He plans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps and pursue a career as an electrician.
The second phase of YCP is a 12-month post-residential program during which case managers and community mentors help cadets put into action the goals they established during the residential phase.
Since 1993, more than 145,000 cadets have graduated from YCP nationwide. In Louisiana, cadets attend at three locations: the Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville, Camp Minden near Bossier City and the Gillis W. Long Center near Baton Rouge.
More than 80% of YCP graduates continue their education, join the workforce or enlist in the military.