ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Military and community leaders, Family members, cadre and guests gathered to honor the 89 young men and women from Class #42 who successfully completed 22 weeks of rigorous training during the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) Military Youth Corps Freestate ChalleNGe Academy Completion Ceremony at the APG post theater June 14.
Led by Director Charles Rose, the cadets received completion certificates during the event. Several also received monetary awards and scholarships from supporting organizations and educational institutions.
During opening remarks Assistant Adjutant General for Maryland Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Allyson Solomon urged the cadets to continue on the path of excellence.
"Embrace some solid goals and accomplish them," she said. "Our state, our nation needs you to be a success."
Solomon noted that after the cadets graduate, they enter a post-residential phase, where they work closely with mentors in their community. The cadets are placed into jobs, continue their education or enter the military.
The keynote speaker, Wesley Collier Jr., a graduate of Class #17 in 2001, encouraged the cadets to make positive choices, consistently. Collier said after he graduated from Freestate, his friends tempted him to make bad decisions. Eventually, at age 20, he decided the best option for him was to leave Baltimore and enlist in the Army. Now Collier has a successful career as a police officer serving in Seattle, Wash.
"The choices you make in the next several years will significantly impact your life," he said. "The real challenge starts once you walk out that door."
Class speakers, cadets James Hernandez and Stephanie Anatsui shared their stories of achievement before the presentation of awards and certificates, led by Rose, Solomon, Collier and ChalleNGe 1st Sgt. Job Stringfellow.
After the ceremony Peggi Trusty, mother of Cadet Darius Monroe said she felt very proud seeing her son finish the program.
"I am so ecstatic," she said. "I can't wait to see what happens next."
Monroe said there were times during the 22-week program when he thought about quitting, but he decided to persevere.
"It helps knowing that there are people that love you and want you to succeed," he said. "It feels good to complete the program."
Scholarships and awards
The top awards for Class #41 graduates went to the following:
Awards
Cadet of the Cycle, $200, Dallas Anderson
Most Improved Cadet, $200, Marlon Zeledon Jr. and DeAnn Lewis
Commandant Award for Leadership, $200, Kayland Brown
FCA Academic Excellence Award, $200, Christian Zapata
FCA Physical Fitness Award, $200, Vivian Sandoval Carcus and Darius Monroe
Scholarships
Rotary Club of Towson, $1,000, Wei Dupeyron
Nancy H. Sevier Scholarship, $1,000, Carla Baiza
Maryland National Guard Foundation, $1,000, Leonel Gomez
PEDRO 66 Award, $1,000, Andrew Ly
Edward St. John Foundation, $1,000, Janice Pena and DeAndre Banks
Raytheon Corporation, $1,000, Damon Baylor Jr.
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Foundation, $1,000, Christian Zapata, Dion Sloan, Dakota Doyla and Justin Dice
Harford Community College, $2,500, Thomas Ventura and Rashad Byrd
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