Commonwealth ChalleNGe grads include 20 county residents

Nearly 20 teenagers from Prince William County graduated Dec. 20 from Commonwealth ChalleNGe, a free statewide quasi-military program for at-risk teens who have dropped out of high school or are in danger of doing so.
“These students came to us seeking a second chance, and we’ve provided them the guidance and direction they need to succeed in life,” said Thomas M. Early, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe. “I’m proud of them for taking the initiative to make a change for the better”
Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, which focuses on preparing at-risk teens and high school drop-outs for the General Education Degree and future employment, the military, or higher education opportunities.
Cadets Kendall Stone of Manassas, LaChaundra Richardson of Dumfries and Stephan Kaczmar of Haymarket, each received an award for overall leadership, outstanding physical training, and distinguished academic respectively.
Kaczmar said he did not have a lot of motivation prior to coming to ChalleNGe.
“I wasn’t doing well in school, I wasn’t in great shape and I had no idea what I was going to do with my life,” he said. “It seemed so distant that I felt I could always postpone working on it.”
Kaczmar is also one of six cadets who was awarded a scholarship by Northern Virginia Community College, where he is currently pursuing his business management degree. He plans to transfer to George Mason University and eventually earn his master’s degree.
Stone said he is more confident as a result of participating in ChalleNGe.
“I have grown a lot since I’ve been here,” he said. “I’m in the best shape I have ever been in. One thing I have learned from coming here is that discipline is the key to all access.”
Stone plans to join the Army.
“I want so stay squared away and earn some rank,” he said.
Offered to at-risk teens ages 16 to 19, Commonwealth ChalleNGe consists of two components, a 22-week quasi-military residential phase followed by a 12-month post-residential phase.
“There’s a lot of things I have learned from ChalleNGe, such as being a good time manager and being a healthy person,” said Cadet John Perez of Woodbridge. “Also, I learned academic things in ChalleNGe that I didn’t learn in public school. These would be my choices, because now seeing my mother and brother proud of me can show them I did it for a good reason. Also it shows I have learned to better my life.”
Perez said the hardest part of the program for him was the physical training.
“After two weeks of hardcore training I had achieved pride, discipline, and finally gotten over being afraid of heights and also learned how to work as a team,” he continued. “In this program I have lost 10 pounds of fat and gained 22 pounds of muscle. I’m proud to say that I am finally in good shape.”
Perez plans to work as a carpet installer and will join the Army.
During the 22-week residential phase, cadet studies are centered on the eight components of the program — academics, life-coping skills, work skills, citizenship, leadership, health education, physical fitness and community service.
Cadet Tiffany Palmer of Dumfries said the discipline, motivation and determination that she learned while at ChalleNGe will help her as she pursues her future plans, which include working part-time, enrolling at NOVA and joining the Army National Guard.
“I came here with a plan and that is to succeed,” she said. “I will never settle for less and with motivation and the skills I have learned from the ChalleNGe program, I know I can do it. I am squared away.”
Other graduates from Prince William County include:
Dumfries:
Clarence M. Smith, Forest Park High School
Jimmy E. Wall, Jr., Forest Park High School
Nicholas J. Williams, Potomac High School
Isaac J. Winborne, New Directions Alternative School
Manassas:
Deonta L. Gray, Osbourn Park High School
Willam A. Hernandez, New Directions Alternative School
Luis D. Maldonado, New Directions Alternative School
Woodbridge:
Ashley A. Carlisle, Potomac High School
Jhovaan I. Clyburn, New Directions Alternative School
Christian R. Comas, Potomac High School
Edwin B. Mejicanos, C.D. Hylton High School
Victor M. Xalteno, Woodbridge High School
For more information on Commonwealth ChalleNGe, visit vachallenge.org.