An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 2, 2016

Puerto Rico ChalleNGe program leader receives national honor

By Lt. Col. Ruth E. Diaz Puerto Rico National Guard

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Matilde Almodovar, the director of the ChalleNGe program in Puerto Rico, was selected as the Director of the Year for the National Guard National Guard Bureau Youth Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Almodovar is the first Puerto Rican to receive this national recognition. Under Almodovar's leadership at risk High School dropouts had the opportunity to receive their high school diploma, which in turn doubled the number of high school graduates; and provided an effective alternative education for high school dropouts.

According to statistics, 40% of Puerto Rico's high school youth drops out before graduation; this number is increasing every year.

Since the Puerto Rico ChalleNGe program's inception in 1999, almost 5,000 cadets have graduated from ChalleNGe which attained the official Commonwealth-government approval and accreditation to operate as a state-certified public high school.

Under Almodovar's nine-year leadership, 3,250 Puerto Ricans school dropouts have overcome all odds by getting their high school diploma; graduation rates doubled annually, outperforming the largest state/public high school in the island, despite strapped budgets

The Puerto Rico National Guard's leadership noted Almodovar's unique ability to help ensure the success of ChalleNGe cadets by mobilizing community resources to set up parent/mentor workshops, alliances with municipal payers, state legislators, partnerships with colleges, technical schools, the private sector, public agencies and nonprofits.

"We are proud of earning this important recognition at the national level through our director Matilde Almodovar and her team. This recognition validates the quality of service offered in the "Puerto Rico Youth Challenge Academy," said Maj. Gen. Marta Carcana, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico.

"Almodovar is a director of character, honor and strong values that inspire the cadres and other ChalleNGe personnel to give their best and ensure that the program is the first and most effective voluntary programs that train youth at risk in our island," said Col. Jose Juan Reyes, Youth Programs manager for the Puerto Rico National Guard.

Almodovar was honored by the Foundation during the annual Recognition Champions ChalleNGe nationwide on Feb. 23 in Washington, D.C.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...