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Las Vegas Student Corrects Course at Youth ChalleNGe Academy
June 25, 2024
The recipient of this semester’s Battle Born Youth ChalleNGe Academy’s Director’s Award for Excellence, Ayla Lain, came very close to never seeing her academic potential blossom. Abandoned by her parents at birth, the former student at Del Sol Academy in Las Vegas attempted to take her own life during her junior year.
At-risk Teens Begin New Path as ChalleNGe Academy Graduates
January 4, 2024
Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, the adjutant general of Idaho and commander of the Idaho National Guard, congratulates one of 120 high school students who graduated from the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy Dec. 16, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. The Department of Defense program provides second chances to at-risk teens.
Illinois Guard's ChalleNGe Academy Graduates 16,000th Cadet
June 12, 2023
Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy graduate Nickolas McCauley delivers the class summary during graduation ceremonies June 10, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. The Illinois National Guard program July 1993 on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, has helped 16,000 struggling young men and women find a path to success.
Washington Guard Member Helps Guide ChalleNGe Academy Cadets
November 4, 2022
Staff Sgt. Michelle Padilla, a cadre member at the Washington Youth Challenge Academy at Camp Parsons Boy Scout Camp in Brinnon, Wash., on Oct. 21, 2022.
Packers Visit Wisconsin Guard Challenge Academy Cadets
October 25, 2022
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones answers a question from cadets during a visit to the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy campus at Fort McCoy, Wis., Oct. 18, 2022. The voluntary Challenge Academy program uses a structured military-style environment and state-certified teachers and counselors to reshape the lives of 16-to-18-year-olds at risk of not completing high school.
Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy grad going to West Point
January 20, 2022
Mountaineer Challenge Academy Cadet William Farkas with Brig. Gen. William "Bill" Crane, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dusty Jones, Senior Enlisted Leader, while receiving the Adjutant General's Award for Academic Excellence. Farkas has received an appointment to West Point.
Challenge Academy prepares at-risk teens for new challenges
January 6, 2022
Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy Cadet Chloe Halbrooks of Walworth, Wisconsin, graduated from the residential phase of the program Dec. 22, 2021. She said she now sees herself as successful instead of a failure.
West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy hits milestone
November 22, 2021
Class 2-2021 of the West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy completed the program Nov. 19 at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia. The 106 cadets are now among more than 5,000 who have graduated from the program since it began in 1993.
ChalleNGe Academy initiative gives cadets job skills
October 28, 2021
Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy cadets work together during a GAF Roofing Academy class to learn basic roofing skills in Rantoul, Illinois. The Academy is administered by the Illinois National Guard.
Son follows father into ChalleNGe Academy for 2nd chance
July 21, 2021
Jeremy Bullock, left, and his father, Brandon, on July 11, 2021, at the Maryland National Guard’s Freestate ChalleNGe Academy program at the Edgewood Arsenal of Aberdeen Proving Ground. Jeremy is attending the 18-month program for at-risk youth 20 years after his father graduated from the same program.
Pandemic another challenge for at-risk teens to overcome
July 13, 2020
Team leader Heriberto Ruiz speaks with Wisconsin Challenge Academy cadet Dominick Bennett as fellow cadet Luis Castro works to complete core requirements June 5, 2020, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The cadets had to return home during the residential phase of the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy stays on track despite virus
June 5, 2020
A West Virginia Army National Guard Soldier assists with COVID-19 testing preparation June 1, 2020, at the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, W.Va. The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy was closed in March to in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic but WVNG and MCA staff developed plans to ensure cadets could complete the program.