Ore. Natl. Guard Youth ChalleNGe to graduate 49th class
The Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (OYCP), a statewide accredited alternative high school that serves all 36 counties in Oregon, will host a graduation ceremony for its 49th class on Wednesday, June 17, marking the completion of the program’s rigorous 5 -month residential phase.
The graduation ceremony featuring 125 students from 48 different high schools and 16 Oregon counties will be held at 11 a.m. in the Middle Sisters Building at the Deschutes County Exposition Center, located at 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond, Ore. The event is open to the public.
Of the 125 graduates, 17 will receive high school diplomas and six will earn GEDs. Ninety-six cadets earned enough credits through OYCP to return to their hometown high schools and graduate with their respective classes. The ceremony is expected to draw hundreds of family members, friends and community supporters of the graduating cadets from across the state.
As part of their training through the program, 125 cadets earned their food handler permits, as well as first aid and CPR certification. In addition, cadets donated 178 units of blood through the American Red Cross. Cadets set a goal of giving 128 units of blood, and exceeded that goal by 50 units. During the 5 -month residential phase of the program, the class also provided 11,042 hours of community service at numerous civic events and nonprofit organizations in the Bend area, averaging 88.3 hours of service per cadet. The estimated total value of their combined volunteer service is $101,208.85.
About OYCP
OYCP is one of 35 nationwide National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Programs and has been recognized as one of the premier programs in the country. The OYCP program is cost-free to cadets and their families and has successfully graduated more than 5,400 cadets since its inception in 1994. The voluntary, 17 -month-long program provides youth who are at-risk of not completing their high school education, both male and female, ages 16 to 18, from urban and rural areas of Oregon, with another opportunity to succeed.
Cadets work through a two-phase program, beginning with an intensive 5 -month residential program during which they develop life-coping skills, perform volunteer community service work and attend academic classes. While in the program, cadets continue their education, develop life skills and create a plan, outlining clear and organized steps to keep them along the path of success following graduation. The second phase of the program consists of one year of mentorship. During this phase, cadets receive encouragement and support as they implement their plans to re-enter their home environments.
Details about the Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program are available at http://www.oycp.com/ or by phoning (541) 317-9623 .
