Tarheel Challenge Graduation Ceremony

CLINTON, NC (12/10/2010)(readMedia)-- The North Carolina National Guard's Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy graduated 111 cadets today at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center.

Cadet Class 35 participated in a ceremony in which Army Brig. Gen. James Trogden, III, Assistant Adjutant General for Army of the North Carolina National Guard, was the commencement speaker for the graduation.

"You saw the light at the end of the tunnel," said Trogden. "This is the beginning of what is next."

During their residential program at the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, 100 percent of the graduates increased their overall academic achievement by a minimum of one grade level. They provided more than 9,800 hours of community service and donated $2,100 of their Walk-A-Thon fund-raising campaign to charity, said Edward M. Toler, director of the academy.

The NCNG's Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is a structured program (much like a military basic training) for high school dropouts or expellees, according to the Tarheel ChalleNGe website. The program focuses on providing youth with the discipline and life skills necessary to be productive members of society. The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is a program in which to attend the cadet must volunteer for the training. There is no cost to the cadet or the cadet's family other than personal items, and there are no military obligations for attending the academy.

"Eight months ago, I was a nobody," said Cadet Jeremy D. Jones, cadet corps commander. "I can now truly say that I am somebody.

"Before this experience, we were used to people saying that we wouldn't amount to anything," added Jones. "Well, you can't say that now!"

As of today, there are over 3,000 cadets who have graduated the program. About 90 percent of academy graduates remained gainfully placed (i.e., in school, working, or in the military) for at least a year after graduation.

For queries, contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at (919) 664-6242. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil/. Follow the North Carolina National Guard on Twitter at @NCNationalGuard or http://twitter.com/ncnationalguard. Become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raleigh/North-Carolina-National-Guard/114802901909136.