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Youth Challenge Academy Awards
By COL Arthur N. Tulak
Along with Companion Manchester, I had the pleasure of attending the graduation and awards ceremony of the Youth Challenge Academy Class 55, at the Academy grounds of the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point on November 19, 2021. Distinguished guests in attendance included MG Ken Hara, Adjutant General of Hawaii; BG Ret. Bruce Olivera, Director of Community Programs Hawaii DoD; Sinaita’aga Atanoa, Director of the Youth Challenge Academy, and Tamafaiga Tuiteleleapaga, Dep. Director of the YCA. Honored guests recognized in the opening remarks included State Senator Mike Gabbard as well as the Companions present from the Military Order of Foreign Wars. The motivational speaker was 1SG Tiari Ventura, of the Tripler Army Medical Center HHC. 1SG Ventura is a Wahiawa native who graduated from the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy class of 09. 1SG Ventura was the perfect role model for these young cadets, demonstrating where there new opportunity could take them after graduation.
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Companion Manchester presented the MOFW Silver Medal for Academic Excellence to Cadet Keichawna-Rae Clemente Asibal, and the MOFW Bronze Medal for Leadership to Cadet Courage Tili, Both cadets successfully completed the course of study and receiving their High School Diplomas from the Adult Schools Division, Hawaii State Department of Education. Cadet Tili, winner of the MOFW leadership medal, also gave the valedictory remarks for Class 55 as the Class President! The MOFW Leadership Medal has been presented to the Class President for some years now.
Class 55 produced several new recruits to serve in the U.S. Military, and seven had already been signed enlistments: • PVT Samson Loa, 13 bravo field artillery specialist, US ARMY • PVT Anthony Vargas, engineer & construction, USMC • PVT Aisek Esah, combat service support, USMC (winner of the Torricer
Award) • PVT Auron Chung, communication, USMC (winner of the Torricer Award) • PVT John Ellie Ancheta logistics, USMC • PVT Pineauro Falealo Jr. communication, USMC • PVT Isaiah Paaaina-Kassebeer aviation electrical technician, USMC, who was also the recipient of the Adjutant General’s Leadership Award.
Congratulations to our MOFW Award recipients and those cadets who are joining our military services!
Above: Companion Manchester with 1SG Tiari Ventura, Graduate of Class OF 2009 Who delivered the motivational remarks.
