Brothers defy odds, graduates at the top of their class- Lincoln's Challenge Academy Class 43 graduate Dec. 11

Story by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/12/2014)(readMedia)-- RANTOUL, Ill. – Brothers, Spencer Lange, 17, and Nicholas Lange, 18, of Gilberts, Illinois, were headed in the wrong direction before they arrived at Lincoln's Challenge Academy (LCA), but hard work led them to the top of their graduating class.

"Spencer and Nicholas and all of the Lincoln's Challenge graduates should be proud of what they've accomplished," Governor Pat Quinn said. "All of the graduates have proven through hard work and dedication that they are ready to go out and make a difference in the world."

For the first time in LCA history, two brothers made it to the top of their graduating class together. The brothers left home for a 22-week course at LCA in Rantoul, Illinois, and graduated LCA Class 43 at the top of their class. Spencer was named the valedictorian and Nicholas was named the salutatorian during the academy's graduation ceremony Dec. 11, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield.

"We are extremely proud of them and definitely grateful for the program," said Bethany Lange, their stepmother. "We cannot wait to see them graduate."

The valedictorian and salutatorian had the highest combined General Educational Development (GED) scores for Class 43.

"It feels kind of peachy. I didn't expect to graduate at the top of my class," said Spencer.

Nicholas said graduating at the top of his class was not on his mind, but he is excited about it.

"Kids drop out of school and they come here to graduate," said Peter Thomas, director of LCA. "Making it to the top of their class, to the cadets, means that success is obtainable."

Spencer and Nicholas' parents sent them to LCA for some behavior issues, said Bethany.

Upon their arrival to LCA, the boys faced many challenges in the beginning phase and throughout the 22 weeks at the academy.

"The beginning was a little bit harder," said Nicholas. "The acclimation phase and the transition from home to here was hard."

Nicholas anticipated a military boot camp environment, but looked forward to the experience.

"I was hoping for a rigid, structured environment," said Spencer.

Always a talkative person, Spencer said the most difficult transition was being yelled at to be quiet.

"Not being able to talk in the beginning was horrible," said Spencer.

Spencer and Nicholas said they learned many real-world skills at LCA. They learned professional skills such as how to talk to superiors, attention to detail and how to fill out applications. The boys participated in community service, took a computer class and attended job fairs to set them up for success after LCA.

"I've learned this before, but it didn't sink in until I got here," said Nicholas. "Treat people as you want to be treated and do not judge a book by its cover."

Both cadets plan to apply and attend college after LCA. Spencer plans to apply to the Art Institute of Chicago and Nicholas will work toward an engineer degree at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Spencer and Nicholas said they want to join the Air Force after college.

Spencer was nominated by his peers as the most improved in his team and Nicholas received a $5,000 gift from the Brad Engert Foundation.

"These young men demonstrate what this program can do to help youth who may have started down the wrong path," said Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Over the last 20 years, the Illinois National Guard program has graduated more cadets than any other Challenge program in the nation, and Lincoln's Challenge is an excellent example of the Illinois Guard helping our neighbors, while we protect our state, and defend our nation."

LCA Class 43 began in July with 389 cadets and graduated with 235 cadets, which is 60 percent of the initial class.

Lincoln's Challenge Academy is administered by the Illinois National Guard and is the largest single-site Challenge program in the nation. More than 14,000 cadets have graduated since its launch in 1993; the most in the United States. The academy takes "at-risk" youth from throughout Illinois who have dropped out of traditional high school and places them in a rigorous disciplined quasi-military environment for 22 weeks at the academy's campus on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. The resident phase is followed by a year-long, post-resident phase where the gradates return to their communities and are paired with mentors.

"One thing I like to tell the cadets, is 'be strong at the finish line,'" said Thomas.

Brothers, Nicholas Lange, 18, and Spencer Lange, 17, of Gilberts, Illinois, pose for a photo Dec. 9. Both graduated Lincoln's Challenge Academy Class 43 at the top of their class. Spencer was named the valedictorian and Nicholas was named the salutatorian during the academy's graduation ceremony at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois, Dec. 11. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Brothers, Spencer Lange, 17, and Nicholas Lange, 18, of Gilberts, Illinois, graduates Lincoln's Challenge Academy Class 43 at the top of their class. Spencer was named the valedictorian and Nicholas was named the salutatorian during the academy's graduation ceremony at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois, Dec. 11. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Spencer Lange, 17, of Gilberts, Illinois, gives his valedictorian speech during the academy's graduation ceremony at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois, Dec. 11, where he graduates Lincoln's Challenge Academy Class 43 at the top of his class. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Nicholas Lange, 18, of Gilberts, Illinois, receives a $5,000 gift during the Lincoln's Challenge Academy's Class 43 graduation ceremony at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois, Dec. 11, where he graduates at the top of his class. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Spencer Lange, 17, of Gilberts, Illinois, receives a $1,000 scholarship during the Lincoln's Challenge Academy's Class 43 graduation ceremony at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois, Dec. 11, where he graduates at the top of his class. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)