Ava Stewart of Myerstown has a purpose in becoming one of 80 cadets in the latest class in the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy at Fort Indiantown Gap.
“I felt like for myself I needed a lot more discipline than I already had and there were just choices that I wasn’t making that were right for me,” the 16-year-old Stewart said. “I knew this isn’t something that I wanted to do but it was something that I knew I needed to do, which is something that made me know that I needed to come here and it was something that me and my parents all agreed on.”
Stewart, a junior this fall at ELCO School District, is among high school students from across Pennsylvania to complete the first two weeks of the academy program, meaning she and her fellow students crossed the threshold from candidates to cadets.
It’s an important moment that signifies the first of many important milestones for program participants to complete during their 22-week academy journey, according to Steven Secor, academy commandant.
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Secor made brief remarks Friday during the 20-minute cross-over ceremony held in the academy’s all-purpose building. He explained to LebTown after the ceremony why this particular accomplishment is especially important.
“As a quasi-military program using the military model, milestones are absolutely important for these kids,” Secor said. “Having a threshold of ‘OK, we have accomplished a thing. This is our new foundation and let’s move forward from here.’”
Joe Butera, deputy communications director for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, further explained the significance of the moment for this class, which will graduate in December.
“This is an important phase in the program, where about 80 young men and women will pass through the initial acclimation stage and become full-fledged cadets. The KSCA provides teens who are struggling an opportunity to learn skills such as self-discipline, leadership, and responsibility through an engaging, safe, and structured residential experience,” Butera said. “Cadets are guided to improve their academic standing, regain credits and increase their potential for future employment or further their high school or post-secondary education.”
Launched in Pennsylvania with the first class graduating in 2022, the program’s website says the program has been “transforming the lives of teenagers” using a “military academy style training model to provide structure and discipline for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 years old.”
A joint effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the National Guard Bureau, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the goal is to prepare the cadets with skills they will need to navigate adult life.
The program has eight core components designed to help cadets improve their:
- Service to the community
- Physical training
- Health and hygiene
- Academic excellence
- Responsible citizenship
- Life-coping skills
- Leadership and followership
- Job skills
Stewart is interested in not only learning job skills but wants to pursue a military career after high school. While in the academy, she hopes to make contact and build relationships with current National Guard members.
Stewart said her brother is going to boot camp this fall for the Air National Guard. “So I’m hoping to maybe follow in his footsteps,” she said, noting she might study law enforcement at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center while in high school.
During his remarks, Secor highlighted some of the accomplishments the cadets achieved over the past two weeks.
“They have spent the last two weeks adapting to the ChalleNGe lifestyle. They’ve learned the basics of the drill, physical training, and leadership. They’ve had many opportunities to learn and practice new life-changing skills,” he said. “They embody their teams through the structural team of ChalleNGe operations. During these two weeks, the cadets have already marked off several milestones on their ChalleNGe journey. Each one provides different opportunities for growth.”
Stewart told LebTown about her most memorable moment of the first two weeks.
“I would say the (other 19) girls, and I would say that they really, like, opened my mind,” she said. “I’ve never had a girl where I can look to her and be like, ‘Wow, she has the same goals as me.’”
Stewart said there’s “so much positivity” between the young women in Platoon 3, adding “there’s just all these girls that want to do good and have aspirations just like me.”
That’s a new experience for her. “I can be myself and they all are so energetic around me … and have the same goals,” she added.
As the 80 participants stood at attention while Secor spoke, he noted the budding bonds between candidates within their respective platoons. There are two platoons for the males and one for females.
“For the past two weeks, you’ve gone from strangers to teammates, you’ve experienced success and failure during this process. Frustration and fatigue have been frequent companions,” he said. “Many of you have experienced more physical activity, mental obstacles, and emotional growth than you could have expected.”
He offered a word of encouragement for the coming months shortly before declaring them cadets.
“And just not slow down from here, there is so much more to learn as you move further into the program. What is the one thing that I told you that I need from you?” he asked.
“Commitment!” all 80 participants yelled loudly in unison.
Secor said why commitment matters.
“That commitment is ongoing as you become part of the ChalleNGe family. Many graduates have visited you during acclimation. A lot of them are here again today. Their presence here is a demonstration of their commitment to ChalleNGe and the Cadet Creed,” he said. “When you become cadets, you will continue to support each other and future cadets. … You made the commitment to be here working towards success.”
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