The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is pleased to announce Class 1-22 as the 58th class to complete this West Virginia National Guard Program. Commencement exercises were held Friday, June 17th at Camp Dawson in Kingwood. A total of 64 graduates from 23 counties across the State of West Virginia successfully completed the requirements for graduation. CMSgt Brandon Ives congratulated the Cadets and gave the commencement address.
Cadet Waylon Jordan, son of Deborah Brady of Sutton, was in Platoon 2. Cadet Jordan was recognized for receiving the Honor’s List, Instructor’s List(2), Mentorship, S2C Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons. During their time at the Academy, Cadet Jordan served in the Color Guard leadership position.
All graduating Cadets have completed the residential phase of ChalleNGe, which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from Service to Community to Employability Skills. Cadets in this class provided 2979.5 hours of Service to Community for such organizations as Operation Gratitude, Food for Preston, Chestnut Ridge Park, Kingwood Library, Raymond Wolfe Center, Osage Miner’s Museum, Adopt A Highway, and WV Land Trust. Following graduation, these Cadets will begin a one-year post-residential phase of ChalleNGe that includes placement activities in education and/or employment.
Applications are currently being accepted for Class 2-22 South that begins in October. Call toll-free at 1-800-529-7700 for more information.