Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  News Features
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Puerto Rico Guard Youth Program Develops Future Leaders By 2nd Lt. Eliezer Soto,
                156th Wing
 PONCE, Puerto Rico - More than 220 cadets with the Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy graduated from the 22-week educational program with their high school diplomas and certificates in vocational or technical courses Sept. 15. “The Youth ChalleNGe Academy Program has changed the lives of thousands of youths who — for one reason or another — abandoned their studies and saw in the Academy the opportunity to grow and develop, acquiring life skills and technical skills,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Méndez, adjutant general of Puerto Rico. “I congratulate each of these 223 youths who have taken this important step toward their future. “ The academy has graduated more than 8,000 young cadets in 24 years. It provides 16- to 18-year-olds who are dropouts or at risk with discipline in a quasi-military environment by focusing on academic education, leadership, physical training, personal growth and community service. “Our academy is focused on rescuing youths from becoming school deserters or who are at risk, transforming their lives with useful tools so that they may continue studying or to help them join the workforce,” said Matilde Almodóvar Acosta, Youth ChalleNGe Academy director. “Family is an essential part of our training,” said Edgardo Soto, the academy’s public affairs and community coordinator. “We integrate parents through workshops about diverse topics while we train their children, which promotes a family and community environment in our academy that provides the necessary support to our cadets.” Senior Airman Héctor López Rosa, a financial management technician with 156th Comptroller Flight, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, said the program had a positive impact on his son, Cadet Jan López. “I am extremely happy and proud of him and know that great things are coming for him in the future,” he said. Cadet López said he experienced frustrations at the beginning of the course but persevered, thanks to the support of his family and academy mentors. “Being away from my family was my biggest challenge during this program, but it also motivated me to overcome any situation and complete the ultimate goal: graduating,” said Cadet López.
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Puerto Rico National Guard
 ChalleNGe Youth Academy
 Chaplains Address Guard Soldiers’ Spiritual, Mental Health News Features • 17 hours ago
 Guard General Retires After Final Watch at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier News Features • yesterday
 Young Cancer Patient Made Honorary 1st Sergeant in Illinois Guard News Features • yesterday
 80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings News Features • 7 days ago
 Retiring Illinois Guard Artillery Gun Chief Fires Final Rounds News Features • 12 days ago
 2024 (46)  2023 (107)  2022 (121)  2021 (119)  2020 (203)  2019 (208)  2018 (165)  2017 (164)  2016 (109)  2015 (52)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil