Michigan Youth Challenge Academy Class #51 to Graduate on December 14

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) will hold a graduation ceremony for 118 cadets at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Marshall High School at 701 N. Marshall Ave., Marshall, MI 49068. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the ceremony is open to the public.

The graduating class consists of cadets from across the state, hailing from 44 different counties: Alger, Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clinton, Crawford, Eaton, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford.

The voluntary academy is a cost-free alternative education program which offers at-risk youth the opportunity to change their future. As part of the curriculum, cadets participate in drill and ceremony formations, meet physical fitness standards, perform community service and receive classroom instruction.

Of the 118 anticipated graduates in this cycle, 98 are earning their high school diploma while the remaining cadets will continue their academic pursuits toward earning their high school diploma upon their return home. Over the past 22 weeks, cadets have performed more than 5,700 hours of community service to help individuals and organizations in the Battle Creek area.

Class #52 will begin on Jan. 12, 2025 and the MYCA is encouraging interested cadets and families to submit their application as quickly as possible here: Admissions Process. For more information, contact Jayme Ham at 269-968-1397 or Joan Miller at 269-968-1368. 

Graduates of the MYCA are eligible for the Michigan Job Challenge Program, an extension program of the MYCA, which teaches workplace essentials, provides opportunities to learn a skilled trade and assists with job placement.