CHARLESTON, W.Va. — New Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy South graduate Samantha Trump said she had motivation and the support necessary to complete the 22-week program.
“What motivated me was I needed to graduate high school and I had everyone at home counting on me,” she said moments after Friday morning’s graduation ceremony in downtown Charleston.
Trump, who is from Tornado, said getting adjusted to her new surroundings wasn’t easy.
“The first two weeks was hard getting away from and meeting new people because we all come from different backgrounds, it was just hard,” she said.
But after completing the quasi-military program, that’s housed at the former WVU Tech in Montgomery, she is ready for her next challenge–being a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Cadet Cayden Smith was also one of the 58 cadets to graduate. He said he joined the ChalleNGe Academy so he could graduate from high school early. He said he’s had to adjust to the routine of each day. He said he’s also ready for the next step.
“I’m going to go Mountaineer Job ChalleNGe when I turn 18 and then enlist into the Air Force,” he said.
The class earn the praise of state Adjutant General Bill Crane.
“The cadets of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy-South Class 62 have successfully proven their dedication, devotion, and commitment to furthering their lives and have earned this day and this significant graduation milestone,” Crane said. “Over the past 22 weeks, these cadets have learned the values of leadership, personal courage, and hard work to overcoming adversity. They have learned self-discipline, goal setting, and life skills that have better prepared them to be impactful West Virginia citizens. The cadets now know that if they dream it and believe it, they can achieve it. Our entire One Guard family celebrates their accomplishment here today and look forward to all they will do in their futures.”
MCA South Program Director Paul Perdue said the program produces productive citizens.
“There are a lot of people who traditional school is not for and there are a lot of different platforms that kids can go to now to find education but I think ours is the one that’s really needed because the structure and discipline are what makes it work,” Perdue said.
Forty of the cadets earned their high school diplomas during the training. The academy said 21% of the graduates plan to join the workforce and 19% will join the military. A third of the graduates will attend a vocational/technical program, 24% will be part of the Job ChalleNGe program while 5% will head to college.
Reporter Emyah Fortenberry contributed to this story.