Local students graduate from youth challenge academy

Press release

DILLON - A commencement ceremony for Class 43 of the Montana Youth Challenge Academy took place Nov. 23 on the campus of The University of Montana Western in Dillon.

In the ceremony, 82 cadets were acknowledged for their completion of the program including Jakob Dillon of Harlem, Jerzy Borowiecki of Havre, Madison La'Mere of Havre and Mara Stiffarm of Hays.

Due to the statewide rise in COVID-19 cases, an intimate ceremony with social distancing and masking was hosted to award diplomas and to celebrate the class's accomplishments. Though the ceremony was closed to the public, a livestream option was available for the cadets' family members, friends, and to MYCA supporters across the state.

Extensive planning and foresight by the staff of MYCA made an early completion possible. The program's graduation requirements - determined by the state of Montana and the National Guard Bureau - were prioritized by the academy. This provided students with the highest opportunity for success. A notable point from the ceremony was that, despite facing restrictions, cadets of Class 43 averaged 60 hours of service to the community per cadet. This is an impressive contribution to Montana's economy and well-surpassed the 40 hour per cadet requirement.

Since 1999, cadets at the Academy have performed more than 174,680 cumulative work-hours in support of service to community projects throughout the state. Calculated at the current minimum wage, they have contributed roughly $1,510,982 to Montana's economy.

To date, the commencement video, still available for replay through the academy's social media, has experienced an upward of 8,800 views with 2,200 of those having been during the live event.

The academy views these insights as a silver lining to hosting a virtual graduation, rather than a traditional, in-person ceremony. Graduates have the capability to watch the replay of the ceremony, a feature not available to pre-pandemic cycles. Additionally, family members, friends, and supporters of the academy, who may not have been able to attend a live ceremony, were still able to participate from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Challenge staff and recent graduates were further honored by congratulatory videos from U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines. The senators encouraged the graduates to continue working the path to success.

Tester said graduates now have a "foundation for success ... to make the world a better place."

Daines concluded that Class 43 graduates have the "values that will help (them) work hard and keep going when times are hard."

The Montana Youth Challenge Academy, sponsored by the state of Montana and the Montana National Guard, is a preventive program designed to improve life outcomes for its participants.

The program assists youth who have dropped out of high school or who are not progressing satisfactorily toward graduation. The 22 week Residential Phase of Challenge increases opportunities through job skills training, service to the community, and leadership positions.

Graduates transition into the 12-month Post-Residential Phase by gaining placement in one of the following options: high school completion, higher education, employment, military enlistment or volunteering.

Mentors, who have been matched with cadets during the Residential Phase, play a critical role in ensuring their continued success.

As 2020 comes to a close, MYCA looks forward to welcoming the incoming Class 44, scheduled to begin Jan. 21. The admissions department is ramping up efforts to process pending applications and to secure a spot for every Montana youth in need of the "Challenge experience."

"The class is filling up quickly, but it's not full yet," Lead of Admissions Mark McGinley said, adding that the academy will continue accepting applications.

"If it turns out we can't get them into this cycle, (we) will put them at the front of the line for cycle 45 in the summer," McGinley added.

For more information about the Montana Youth Challenge Academy program including enrollment opportunities, people can call 406-988-7026 or visit the website at http://www.mycacademy.org .