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

    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
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Wisconsin National Guard Youth Challenge Academy graduates 25th class of cadets By Wisconsin National Guard
 One hundred and eight cadets from 42 counties graduated from the Wisconsin National Guard's Challenge Academy during a Dec. 18 ceremony at Mauston High School. The cadets comprised the 25th Challenge Academy class since the program started at Fort McCoy in 1998. The Challenge Academy reshapes the lives of at-risk 16- to 18-year-olds. A structured, military-style environment and state-certified teachers and counselors build cadets' academic abilities, character, self-confidence and personal discipline. "You have shown great character, great heart and great determination," keynote speaker State Sen. Dan Kapanke of La Crosse told the cadets. "You made a conscious decision to attend Challenge Academy. You stayed the course, and you're here today. Who knows where you will be tomorrow because of what you have accomplished today?" Cadet Tyler Sabel, the distinguished honor graduate for Class 25, reminded cadets that their time at Challenge Academy has revealed their inner strength and capabilities. "We are no longer our old selves, nor are we any longer normal teenagers," Sabel said. "Most teenagers do not get a second chance like that provided through this program." Larry Walls, Milwaukee, a mentor to Cadet Denzel Parker, also of Milwaukee, looked on as the military honor graduate barked commands while fellow cadets filed into formation. Walls said he has known Parker, a former tenant, for about six years and that the teen was doing well until high school. When Parker decided to attend Challenge Academy, Walls - who maintained contact over the years - was asked to be his mentor. "It's doing wonders for him," Walls said. "He's respectful; he wants to do great things. I wish more kids would come here." According to M. G. MacLaren, director of the Wisconsin National Guard's Challenge Academy, cadets averaged 82 hours of community service during their 22-week training. Fourteen cadets read a book cover-to-cover for the first time in their lives, and eight cadets have enlisted or plan to enlist in the military. Over the past 12 years, 2,145 cadets have graduated from the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy. Scott Miller of Horicon, Wis., didn't know Cadet Jonathan Contreraz of Beaver Dam, Wis., until he answered an open request on Facebook to volunteer as a mentor. "Turns out, he lives 10 miles from me," Miller said. He described Contreraz as a positive person who made a couple of poor choices and lacked direction before attending Challenge Academy. "Now he has good attitude, good focus," Miller said. "He has a vision for himself." "They leave us today with a brighter future than they had before," MacLaren said of the cadets. Holding a challenge coin given to each graduate, he continued, "We at the Academy expect you to build on the foundation you have developed over the past five and a half months."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar
 By Airman 1st Class Julia Ahaesy,
  Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics
 By Jerry Hewitt,
  Nebraska National Guard Assists with Tornado Response
 By Nebraska National Guard
  More
 Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar5/2/2024Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics5/2/2024Nebraska National Guard Assists with Tornado Response5/2/2024 View more Guard News »
 New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa4/30/2024
Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa4/19/2024
US, Canadian Special Forces Forge Partnerships in Jamaica4/8/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange5/2/2024

Virginia National Guard Formalizes Partnership with Finland5/2/2024

Guam National Guard launches State Partnership with Palau5/2/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 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