Illinois National Guard Leaders Celebrate Thanksgiving with Lincoln's Challenge Academy Cadets

Related Media

No description.

RANTOUL, IL (11/24/2010)(readMedia)-- A couple of songs from the chorus, a couple of speeches, a few awards handed out and a plate full of turkey and side dishes highlighted the Thanksgiving celebration Nov. 23 at Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul.

Maj. Gen. William Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard and Brig. Gen. James Schroeder, Assistant Adjutant General Illinois Air National Guard were among the honored guests at the Thanksgiving celebration.

"What a great group of young people! It was a delight to spend the day with the cadets," said Enyart. "A portion of the students' success is because of the devoted staff at Lincoln's Challenge, but the bulk of the credit goes to these young people. They volunteered to be in this program and they are excited to be learning how to overcome the challenges they face today and the challenges they'll face tomorrow."

More than 400 cadets will graduate from the program Dec. 11 and many will be going home to visit with family for the first time since August this Thanksgiving weekend.

Lincoln's Challenge Academy is a 22-week, residential academic program for Illinois' at-risk youth that provides cadets with essential life skills and educational requirements to earn a GED and be successful in today's society. For 12 months after the residential phase, cadets are paired with community volunteers that provide mentorship and coaching to help cadets achieve their goals.

Despite the rigorous schedule and demanding environment, many Lincoln's Challenge cadets said they were thankful to be cadets.

"It's pretty serious. Everything we do is real life," said 19-year-old Chicago native Christopher Maldonado. "I like the military environment, the physical fitness; everything."

Maldonado was appointed Corps Commander and is responsible for the accountability of cadets and assists planning cadet outings most recently to the Illinois Capitol Building.

Lincoln's Challenge Academy Director Peter Thomas is just as thankful to have the cadets in his care.

"I'm thankful for the cadets; for sticking it out," Thomas said during his address to the cadets. "Your hard work will make you the leaders of tomorrow."

The LCA program highly encourages cadets to continue to pursue a better position in life through college, the military or vocational training once they complete the program and many are excited to chase those goals.

"I want to do something in the medical field; be either a registered nurse or a nurse," said Brittany Myers, the 18-year-old student council president from Tinley Park. "Hopefully I can do that by either going into the National Guard or community college."

Myers said her family is thankful she's at the Lincoln's Challenge Academy.

"My grandpa noticed a difference when I saw him in August and when I talk to him on the phone he asks for a list of my accomplishments," said Myers.

Photo #1 caption: The Lincoln's Challenge Academy Cadet Color Guard retrieves the colors to conclude the Thanksgiving celebration at Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul Nov. 23.

Photo #2 caption: The Lincoln's Challenge Academy Cadet Christopher Maldonado, the student Corps Commander, 19-years-old of Chicago, returns the salute of team leaders before the start of the Thanksgiving celebration at Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul Nov. 23.

Photo #3 caption: Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William Enyart is joined by Lincoln's Challenge Academy Director Peter Thomas as he presents challenge coins to Lincoln's Challenge Academy Cadets during the Thanksgiving celebration at Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul Nov. 23.