Youth Challenge Academy Graduation

Companion Arthur Tulak presented the Silver Academics and Bronze Leadership Medals to top-performing cadets of Class 21-02, at the graduation ceremony held at the Blaisdell Concert Hall in downtown Honolulu on May 26, 2022. Hawaii First Lady, Dawn Ige, represented the Governor. The presiding officer representing the Hawaii National Guard was BG, Ret. Bruce Olivera, representing MG Ken Hara, the Adjutant General of the Hawaii National Guard.

This was the first fully in-person ceremony since the COVID lockdown, and families of the Cadets were able to see them receive their high school diplomas from the Adult School Division of the Hawaii Dept. of Education, as well as the various awards presented to exemplary cadets. The Hawaii YCA program has proven very successful as shown by these statistics: • 78% of Challenge graduates receive their high school equivalency diploma. • 48% join the workforce. • 19% continue their education. • 6% join the military.

The recipient of the Silver Academic was Cadet Xylar Newman-Matutino The recipient of the Bronze Leadership was Cadet Ririann Noy

The entire event can be viewed on the YCA facebook page —

https://www.facebook.com/hawaiiyouthchallenge/videos/1148770879247707

Above Left: Director Sinaita’aga Atanoa, Director of the Youth Challenge Academy at Kalaeloa, looks on as Cadet Noy receives the Bronze Leadership Medal Above Right: Companion Tulak presents thee Silver Academic Medal to Cadet Newman-Matutino