|
HYCA graduates 83 pre-challeNGe
cadets
Story by
Spc.
William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard
The
second
Hoosier Youth
ChalleNGe
Academy
class started January 20, and 83 cadets have completed their first
phase.
On February 2, the cadets
graduated their pre-challeNGe portion of the program, a two-week
program based on military principles, focusing on team building
skills and discipline. They’re now entering the next segment of the
program.
The next live-in phase is
5 ˝ months long and will include focusing on job skills, academic
excellence, life coping skills and the Test of Adult Basic
Education, to determine whether or not they will be eligible to take
their GED test.
Some will have to wait
because the state has a minimum age requirement of 17 years and 2
months of age to take the test.
“The thing that they’re going to be concentrating
on the most is academics,” said Monty Reisinger, southern region
recruiter and mentor for HYCA, and also a former recruiter for the
Indiana National Guard.
“It’s a great program and
I really believe in it. Your putting them into an environment where
they get eight hours of sleep, most of them didn’t. They get three
square meals a day, most of them didn’t. They’re going to get plenty
of exercise, none of them did.”
“It’s a perfect program
for me,” said Cadet Nic Garrett. “Getting used to the boots was
hard; I had blisters all over my feet,” he added. “But he didn’t
complain about it one bit. He kept up with everyone,” interjected
Cadre Sgt. James Harris. “I think the program is good for people who
need structure and if you want to lose weight.”
“I can tell the people
here really care,” said Cadet Elisha Fugate. Cadet Fugate said he’d
learned about the program through his friend David Young. Young is a
Cadet who graduated with the first class and told Fugate how much of
a difference it had made in his life.
“I had a lot of problems and I thought, ‘It’s time
to change my life and grow up.’ ” Fugate said he has plans to join
the Marine Corps like his grandfather when he earns his GED.
“I want to go into the
military; my grandfather is a retired Marine Corps colonel. It’s
kind of a family tradition. I know the Marines only accept a few
GED’s a year.” Fugate said he hopes he can make the cut.
“It’s been proven
nationwide that if you put the kids in the right environment their
ability to study and comprehend increases,” said Reisinger.
“It’s a great program and I’ll stand up
on a hill to tell people about it.”
| 
