Alaska Military Youth Academy to graduate 144 cadets

Photo By Edward Eagerton | Cadet Malcolm T. Belcher and his fellow cadets from the Alaska Military Youth Academy, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, salute the flag during the playing of the national anthem at their graduation ceremony at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 30, 2013. The academy graduated 166 cadets after 22 weeks of residential instruction in a quasi-military environment. The program is designed to provide the cadets with training in academic studies, vocational instruction, life skills, military skills and self-discipline. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Edward Eagerton)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

08.28.2014

Story by Kalei Rupp 

Alaska National Guard Public Affairs   

CAMP DENALI, Alaska – The Alaska Military Youth Academy will celebrate 20 years of service to the state of Alaska and the graduation of 144 cadets of Class 2014-2 from its ChalleNGe program Friday, Aug. 29.

The 10 a.m. graduation ceremony will be held in the Tikahtnu Ballroom at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center located in downtown Anchorage. The keynote speaker for the graduation is Dr. Joshua E. Logan, M.D., a urological oncologist and 1994 graduate of the Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Program.

During their 22-week residential phase at the AMYA ChalleNGe program, the corps of cadets focused on academics, leadership and followership, physical fitness, life coping skills, responsible citizenship, vocational training and service to the community. The 144 cadets set to graduate from the Alaska Military Youth Academy will join the 4,128 previous graduates since 1994.

Upon graduation, cadets take part in the yearlong post-residential phase where graduates return to their communities to continue their education (high school, college or vocational schools), enter the workplace, or enter the military. The goal of this phase is for graduates to sustain and build on the gains made during the residential phase.

The Alaska Military Youth Academy continues to help intervene in and reclaim the lives of youth and produce program graduates with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults.

Who: Alaska Military Youth Academy
What: Graduation ceremony for 144 cadets
Where: Tikahtnu Ballroom, Dena’ina Center, 600 W 7th Avenue, Anchorage
When: Friday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2014
• Date Posted: 08.28.2014 17:28
• Story ID: 140751
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US