Montana Youth Challenge Academy 34th commencement graduates four local students

From Montana Youth Challenge Academy

The commencement ceremony for the 34th class at Montana Youth Challenge Academy was held Saturday, June 18, at Straugh Gymnasium at the University of Montana-Western in Dillon.

Eighty-six cadets graduated during the two-hour ceremony.

Four people from the region were among the graduates. They are:

• Ryan Deffinbaugh, Chester

• Tanner Henschel, Havre

• Cheralyn Stump, Box Elder

• Elijah Matt, Harlem Guest speakers included Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Anthony Kurta, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy. Other guests included Montana State Senate President Debby Barrett, Major Gen. Matthew Quinn, adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Bryan Fox, commander, Montana Air National Guard.

The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a two-phase, academic-based program located in Dillon. The academy's focus is to assist youth, ages 16-18 by helping them to develop the academic and life skills necessary to be successful.

During the 22-week residential phase, academy participants focus on eight core components which include physical fitness, academic excellence, leadership-followership, responsible citizenship, service to community, life-coping skills, job skills and health and hygiene.

Following graduation from the residential phase, students enter a 12-month post-residential phase in which they maintain ongoing contact with a volunteer mentor in their community who provides additional support.