The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is pleased to announce that Cadet Jon Paul Holcomb, the son of Paul and Wendy Holcomb of Indore, has completed the requirements for graduation.

Cadet Holcomb is one of 151 graduates from 35 counties across the state of West Virginia. Class 1-17 is the 48th class to complete this West Virginia National Guard Program. Commencement exercises were held on Friday, June 16, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood. MG James A. Hoyer congratulated the cadets and gave the commencement address.

While attending the academy, Cadet Holcomb of Platoon 3 was recognized for receiving the Citizenship, Education (twice), Honor Platoon, Mentorship Award, and Platoon Olympics, as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons. Cadet Holcomb also participated in the Presidential Physical Fitness Program.

All graduating cadets have completed the 22-week residential phase of ChalleNGe which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from service, to community, to employability skills. In addition to classroom studies, the cadets traveled to the state’s capitol in Charleston. Cadets in this class provided 9,457 hours of service to community for such organizations as American Red Cross Blood Drive, Trout for Cheat, Hope 4 Hunter, United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, Preston County Senior Citizens, WV Gold Star Mothers, National MS Society, Boy Scouts of America, Adopt a Highway, Kingwood and Reedsville VFD, and Christian Help. Following graduation, these cadets will begin a one-year post-residential phase of ChalleNGe that includes placement activities in education and/or employment.

Applications are currently being accepted for Class 1-18 that begins in January. Call toll-free at 1-800-529-7700 for more information.