KINGWOOD, W.Va. – The West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy has conducted a graduation ceremony for 80 cadets as a part of Class 54, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Thirty-three members of 80 cadets in Class 54 completed the program and are graduating with a high school diploma. Of those graduating, 47 cadets plan to join the workforce, 13 cadets plan to enter the military, 13 cadets plan to attend a vocational/technical program and 7
cadets will continue to a four-year college program.
“I cannot express how tremendously proud I am of these young folks who have not only faced difficulties prior to coming to MCA, but then had to deal with navigating their education through a pandemic,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard.
“Despite having every excuse to quit the program or not put forth the effort to finish, these cadets met the challenge head on and have showcased their abilities to handle any situation that comes their way. I have no doubt they will each go on to do wonderful things that contribute to the success of the State of West Virginia.”
The mission of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is to train and mentor at-risk youth to become contributing members of society using the Eight Core Components in a quasi-military training environment. The program is 22 weeks in length.
Since 1993, the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy has graduated 4,743 cadets from the program with 1,737 earning their high school diploma.
Award winners from the program are as follows:
ROBERT C. BYRD DISTINGUISHED CADET AWARD
Cadet Racheal Adkins
MacArthur, Raleigh County
Daughter of James Adkins and Denise Clifford of MacArthur
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Cadet Sean Joy
Elizabeth, Wirt County
Son of Anthony and Jennifer Joy of Elizabeth
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Cadet Andrew Fitzgerald
Keyser, Mineral County
Son of Mary Hardy and Andy Fitzgerald of Keyser
CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Cadet Parker Myers
Buckhannon, Upshur County
Son of Bobbie and Jeremiah Sharp of Buckhannon
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE AWARD
Cadet Mikal Blankenship
Huntington, Cabell County
Son of Nina and Scott Roberts of Huntington
MOST IMPROVED CADET AWARD
Cadet Cody Stump
Brohard, Wirt County
Son of Brad and Lisa Stump of Brohard
“ESPRIT DE CORPS” AWARD
Cadet Cameron Ball
Huntington, Cabell County
Son of Amber and James Drake of Huntington