The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is pleased to announce Class 1-19 as the 52nd class to complete this West Virginia National Guard Program.

Commencement exercises were held Friday, June 14 at Camp Dawson in Kingwood.  A total of 155 graduates from 35 counties across the State of West Virginia successfully completed the requirements for graduation.  Major General Hoyer congratulated the Cadets and gave the commencement address.

The following Cadets participated from Clay County:

Cadet George Burgess, son of Nancy and Paul Corbitt of Gassaway and George Burgess of Strange Creek, was in Platoon 1.  Cadet Burgess was recognized for receiving the Commandant’s Cup, Instructor’s List (2), Mentorship, S2C Award (2), as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.  During their time at the Academy, Cadet Burgess served in the following leadership positions: Assistant Platoon Leader.

Cadet Dylan Lessen, son of Krista and Scott Dodrill of Dille and Gordon Lessen of Lincoln, IL, was in Platoon 4.  Cadet Lessen was recognized for receiving the Instructor’s List, Level One PT, Mentorship, as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.  During their time at the Academy, Cadet Lessen served in the following leadership positions: Assistant Platoon Leader.

Cadet James Rogers, son of Roger and Sabrina Holcomb of Duck, was in Platoon 5.  Cadet Rogers was recognized for receiving the Honor’s List, Mentorship, S2C Award, as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.

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 9,210.50 hours of Service to Community for such organizations as American Red Cross (Blood Drive), Trout for Cheat, Preston County Senior Citizens, Boy Scouts of America, Kingwood and Reedsville VFD, Preston County Animal Shelter, Arthurdale Heritage, Knights of Columbus, Preston County Schools, Chestnut Ridge Park, Shaffer Heritage Farms, Christian Help, and the town of Bruceton Mills. 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 1-20 that begins in January.  Call toll-free at 1-800-529-7700 for more information.