Twenty young people are ready to start the next chapter of their lives after finding guidance, direction and purpose through the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.
The National Guard Youth Challenge Program was developed to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16- to 18-year-old high school dropouts by teaching them the values, life skills and self-discipline necessary to succeed. Since its establishment in 1993, the program has had over 200,000 graduates from its 39 programs across 30 states.
The Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, YCA, opened the Hilo campus in 2011 and graduated its 27th class at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center on Friday morning.
The graduates are: Kazerie Aila, Chazirie Alconcel, Adan Ambriz, Kaira Baltazar-Rodriguez, Angel Barron, Keira Basenback, C. Charley, Adelyne Cowdrey-Demetrion, Cody Durham, Reodolinda Gomez, Mariya Harris, Deacon Hawk, Mukan Helms, Iakopo Jennings, Po‘okela Kai‘ahua-Sato, Owen Kangas, Keith Ki‘ilau, Noah Lee, Celeste Lowe, Quinton Mateo, Eian Miller, Manuel Olivas, Natalia Pardo-Osuna, Kanekoa Patnaude, Stefan Richter, Kamali‘iomailani Sanchez-Barr, Jondae Valasco and Burdy Waguk.
The cadets completed five and a half months of training in academics, physical fitness, community service and workforce development to change their life trajectory and become more productive members of the community.
Cadets cannot visit family and friends during their training, so graduation day is also the day families and friends are reunited after nearly half a year.
“I can’t believe I’m going to college!” Jennings exclaimed when seeing his family.
Jennings is attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa next fall where he will be studying political science. He was one of six cadets to receive a scholarship award for their pursuits into higher education.
“Graduating today has to be one of the most phenomenal feelings you can have,” Jennings said. “I have a next chapter and I don’t know if that would have been possible before.”
The other scholarship recipients include, Cowdrey-Demetrion, Alconcel, Baltazar-Rodriguez, Kangas and Mateo. Helms was honored with the Director’s Academic Excellence Award, and Lee and Cowdrey-Demetrion were the male and female recipients, respectively, of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award
The prestigious Cadet of the Cycle Award–which is described as “a cadet who is always willing to help other cadets, volunteers around the academy and follows all the rules” — was presented to Sanchez-Barr.
Retired Army Brig. Gen. Bruce Oliveira, the state’s director of civil military program, presented the Adjutant General’s Leadership Award to Aila and the Governor’s Distinguished Cadet Award to Hawk.
State leaders, including U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and Gov. Josh Green, wrote acknowledgments congratulating the graduates on their present and future accomplishments
“Each of you brought your own unique perspectives, but now you share a common bond with your collective accomplishments. With Youth challenge Academy as your foundation, you can overcome any hardship or obstacle that comes your way,” Tokuda wrote.
“YCA is one of the foremost programs helping at-promise youth, giving young people the opportunity to establish values and gain the life skills and self-discipline necessary to succeed in the future,” Green wrote. “The commitment shown by the cadets is commendable and I have full faith and confidence that they will continue to use these skills to be a positive impact in the community.”
While some graduates will be going on to higher education, some will be returning to the workforce and some will serve in the military, including Gomez who was sworn into the U.S. Navy by Oliveria on stage after receiving her diploma.
Johnny Kellen, who was a cadet in Hilo’s 11th graduating class, gave the keynote address and spoke about the important foundation set by YCA that led him to serving in the Army National Guard for six years.
“Just like all of you on stage, I accepted the challenge, overcame the challenge and became the challenge. Never in my life did I dream of becoming any service to the community until Youth Challenge Academy,” Kellen said. “After today, I hope that all of you can continue to open your eyes to new opportunities, open your minds to new ideas and open your hearts to new interests.”
For more information on the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, visit dod.hawaii.gov/yca/.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.