Local youths graduate from Youth Challenge Academy

Press release

Four local youths were among the graduates of Class 35 at Montana Youth Challenge Academy during Commencement Ceremony Dec. 17 on the campus of University of Montana-Western in Dillon.

Jack Kennedy of Chester, Nasia Longknife of Harlem, Ryan Matkin of Havre and Brallam Ramirez of Havre were among the 82 graduates.

Speakers included Montana Sen. Debby Barrett; Brig. Gen. Jeff Ireland, chief of staff of the Montana National Guard; John Cech, deputy commissioner of higher education, and Western Chancellor Beth Weatherby.

Other guests included Montana Air National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Bryan Fox; Montana Rep. Jeff Wellborn; Montana National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Perkio and Jobs for Montana Graduates State Coordinator Eric Swanson.

The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a two-phase, academic-based program located in Dillon on Western's campus. Its focus is to assist youth ages 16-18 by helping them to develop academic and life skills necessary to be successful. During the 22-week residential phase, participants focus on eight core components including 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.

The academy conducts two sessions each year and the next session starts Jan. 17. For more information, people can contact the academy at 1-877-367-6927 or visit its website at youthchallenge.mt.gov.