Lincoln's Challenge Academy Graduates 292 New Cadets

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/15/2013)(readMedia)-- On June 15, 292 Cadets graduated from Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA), an Illinois National Guard administered program for at-risk youth. The ceremony for the Rantoul-based program was held at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Ill.

LCA is one of the most successful youth challenge programs in the nation. Approximately 75 percent of LCA graduates earn their graduate equivalency diplomas (GED), compared to the Illinois state average of 53 percent. LCA graduates can now return to their communities and demonstrate the success of this "second chance program." Lincoln's ChalleNGe consists of a 22-week residential phase conducted in a quasi-military environment followed by a 12-month post-residential phase when the cadets return to their communities.

Photo 1: Photo by Sgt. Zachary Zimerman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Nearly 300 cadets graduated from the Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA) June 15 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Ill. LCA in Rantoul is a military-structured alternative school for Illinois' at-risk youth administered by the Illinois National Guard. LCA is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. More than 13,000 Cadets have graduated from LCA since the program was introduced.

Photo 2: Photo by Sgt. Zachary Zimerman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, addresses graduates and their families during the Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA) graduation ceremony June 15 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Ill. LCA in Rantoul is a military-structured alternative school for Illinois' at-risk youth administered by the Illinois National Guard. LCA is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. More than 13,000 Cadets have graduated from LCA since the program was introduced.

Photo 3: Photo by Sgt. Zachary Zimerman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Cadet Logan Patridge of Gibson City, Ill., was one of the 292 cadets who graduated from Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA) June 15. LCA in Rantoul is a military-structured alternative school for Illinois' at-risk youth operated by the Illinois National Guard. LCA is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. More than 13,000 Cadets have graduated from LCA since the program was introduced.

Photo 4: Photo by Sgt. Zachary Zimerman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Cadet Infinity Moore of Chicago, leads the Class 40 Drill Team in the introduction ceremony during the Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA) graduation June 15, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Ill. LCA in Rantoul is a military-structured alternative school for Illinois' at risk youth operated by the Illinois National Guard. LCA is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. More than 13,000 Cadets have graduated from LCA since the program was introduced.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil or 217-761-3569.

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