MONTGOMERY, W.Va. –
– Fifty cadets from the West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South, the state’s second academy for at-risk youth, graduated today as a part of the inaugural class at the newly established campus in Montgomery.
"A little over a year ago, I announced that we would be taking the life-changing ChalleNGe Academy program that had been so successful at Camp Dawson and replicating the model in southern West Virginia to serve the youth of that area," Gov. Jim Justice said. "I am incredibly proud of what these cadets and our entire West Virginia National Guard have accomplished over the past year, but I'm especially proud that we were able to pull this off and get to graduation day despite all the challenges caused by the pandemic.”
"To the graduates of Class 2-2020, you should all be extremely proud of what you have accomplished - not only for displaying the tenacity and commitment it takes to graduate from the ChalleNGe Academy, but also for setting the standard as the first ever class of graduates from southern West Virginia," Gov. Justice continued. "Your achievement will serve as an inspiration for future cadets for generations to come. As Governor, it's my honor to congratulate you on a job well done."
Class 2-2020 began with a total of 70 enrolled cadets with 50 graduating today who successfully completed the program. Of those graduating, 28 percent (14 cadets) plan to join the workforce, 28 percent (14 cadets) plan to join the military, 24 percent (12 cadets) plan to attend the Mountaineer Jobs ChalleNGe Program, 10 percent (5 cadets) plan to attend a vocational/technical program and 10 percent (5 cadets) plan to go on to a four-year college program.
“We are beyond proud of these young men and women who stand before us today ready to take on the challenges of the world following their graduation,” said Brig. Gen. William “Bill” Crane, Adjutant General of the WVNG. “Not only did they complete the rigorous course load and stringent requirements of the MCA program while breaking in a new campus, they also did so in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. Their perseverance is a true testament to the dedication and strength they have exhibited and bodes extremely well for their future endeavors.”
“Today’s graduation is a momentous occasion, not only for our cadets and their families, but also for the faculty and staff at MCA-South and the people of Smithers and Montgomery,” he continued. “None of this would have been possible without their hard work and dedication to make this dream of a second ChalleNGe Academy a reality. We are grateful for the unwavering support from Governor Justice, our West Virginia legislators, congressional delegation and our local partners in the Upper Kanawha Valley.”
Class 2-2020 represents 20 different counties throughout the Mountain State, with Kanawha County having the highest enrollment for the course with 10 cadets.
Throughout their time in Montgomery, cadets provided more than 2,322 hours of community service through 12 different projects, a recognized value of more than $63,158.40.
The mission of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is to train and mentor selected at-risk youth to become contributing members of society using the Eight Core Components in a quasi-military environment during a 22-week residential and one-year post-residential follow-up program. It is a free volunteer program for West Virginia youth ages 16 to 18 years old who are educationally at-risk.
Since its inception in 1993, the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy has graduated 4,833 cadets from the program with 1,770 earning their high school diploma.
Award winners from the program are as follows:
This award recognizes the Top Over-All Cadet for the entire 22-week residential phase of the ChalleNGe Program. This Cadet will have demonstrated leadership, academic improvement, and effort in physical training on the Progress Reports.
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ROBERT C. BYRD DISTINGUISHED CADET AWARD
Cadet Jocelyn Price
Bellington, Barbour County
Daughter of Jarrod and Nicole Price, Granddaughter of Lora McElroy
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Cadet Kolby Stephens
Williamstown, Wood County
Son of Kevin and Amy Stephens and grandson of Barbara Smith and Suzan and Paul Stephens
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Cadet Lawrence Brooks
Shinnston, Harrison County
Son of Tammy Jo Brooks and Lawrence Brooks, Grandson of Helen Sapp
CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Cadet Zachary Brodell
Martinsburg, Berkeley County
Son of Alan Brodell and Elizabeth Growth, Grandson of Katie Growth
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE AWARD
Cadet Zachary Kirkpatrick
Morgantown, Monongalia County
Grandson of George and Dorothy Kirkpatrick
MOST IMPROVED CADET AWARD
Cadet Elija Sharp
Nicut, Braxton County
Son of Robert and Peggy Sharp
“ESPRIT DE CORPS” AWARD
Cadet Kolby Stephens
Williamstown, WoodCounty
Son of Kevin and Amy Stephens, Grandson of Barbara Smith and Suzan and Paul Stephens
“IRON MIKE” AWARD FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS
Cadet Gabriel Fouty
St. Albans, Kanawha County
Nephew to Mary and David Johnson
Cadet Jocelyn Price
Bellington, Barbour County
Daughter of Jarrod and Nicole Price, Granddaughter of Lora McElroy