Brooke County Students Graduate Mountaineer Challenge Academy

The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is pleased to announce Class 2-23 as the 61st class to complete this West Virginia National Guard Program. Commencement exercises were held Friday, December 15th at Camp Dawson in Kingwood. A total of 101 graduates from 30 counties across the State of West Virginia successfully completed the requirements for graduation. Delegate Moore Capito congratulated the Cadets and gave the commencement address.
The following Cadets participated from Brooke County:
Cadet Steven Jarvis Northcraft, son of Nikki and Michael Mathess of Wellsburg, was in Platoon 3. Cadet Northcraft was recognized for receiving the Level One PT, Mentorship Award, S2C Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.
Cadet Talan Anthony Parr, son of Ashley Archiello and Timothy Dowden of Wellsburg and Christian Parr of Colliers, was in Platoon 3. Cadet Parr was recognized for receiving the Honor’s List, Level One PT(3), S2C Award, Mentorship Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.
All graduating Cadets have completed the residential phase of ChalleNGe, which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from Service to Community to Employability Skills. Cadets in this class provided 4632.55 hours of Service to Community for such organizations as Food for Preston, American Red Cross, Gold Star, Trout for Cheat, Wreaths Across America, and the PCLA Awards Banquet. 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 1-24 South that begins in April. Call toll-free at 1.800.529.7700 for more information.