Montana Youth Challenge Academy Holds 44th Commencement
A commencement ceremony for Class 44 of the Montana Youth Challenge Academy took place June 12 at Vigilante Stadium in Dillon. Seventy-nine cadets were acknowledged for their completion of the program.
Area graduates include Chaske’ Bearsghost, Isabella Jones, Slade Kirn, Emalee Vargas, Luthor Iron Cloud of Poplar and Eithan McKay of Brockton.
Elsie Arntzen, Montana’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction was the guest speaker. Other distinguished guests included Major General John “Pete” Hronek, the Adjutant General for Montana, and Michael Reid, the chancellor of The University of Montana-Western.
The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a residential academic-intervention program on the campus of the University of Montana- Western for 16to 18 year old students who are at risk of being high school dropouts. Designed by the National Guard Bureau and run through a cooperative agreement between the federal government and the state of Montana, the academy offers military-style structure and discipline along with academic, professional and life-coping skills students need to become productive citizens.
Following graduation from the residential phase, students continue to build on the gains made and apply the new skills they have learned to their home environment. Mentors, who have been matched with the cadets during the residential phase, play a critical role in ensuring their continued success.
Challenge conducts two class sessions per year. The upcoming summer/fall session begins July 20 and the winter/spring session is scheduled to begin Jan. 18. For more information about the challenge program to include mentoring, employment or enrollment opportunities, contact 877-367-6927 or visit their website at www. mycacademy.org.