KINGWOOD — “I think it’s wonderful. It gives kids a second chance,” Martin Flesher, of Buckhannon, said about the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy’s 22-week program.
Flesher’s daughter, Brooke, was one of 139 cadets that graduated Friday. She was not the first in her family to graduate. Flesher said he was one of the cadets who graduated with the first class in 2000.
Friday’s graduating class was the 50th one to graduate from the ChalleNGe Academy, located at Camp Dawson in Kingwood. The 22-week program offers cadets the opportunity to complete high school and to receive optional certification in hazardous materials awareness, automobile service excellence training in brakes, serv-safe food protection, fire fighter1/HazMat certification, and an intro to higher education college course for one credit hour.
Shannon Comuzie, of Hinton, said she believes every child should go through the program. Her daughter, Morgan, plans to go to Mercer Tech and study phlebotomy. Morgan’s grandmother,
Donna Chapman, said the academy allowed Morgan to graduate two years earlier than she would have otherwise.
Squad Leader Johnathan Mayne said the course allows the cadets to get a fresh start in life. “They learn respect for themselves and for others,” he said.
Squad Leader Anthony Favro agreed. “It’s a fresh start in an environment of encouragement and support. The cadets learn in ways that are not found in public schools. I believe the biggest thing they get from this program is discipline,” he said.
Chrystal Murphy, of Charleston, said her neph-ew, Daniel Atkins, was among Friday’s graduates. “My brother went here, too. I am all for it. Daniel wants to go on and become a social services worker. He wants to help people.”
Kelly Tremble said she saw a change in her son, Nicholas.
“He graduated high school and wants to be a paramedic or get into a nursing program,” she said.
Sandra Hopper, of Leon, said her grandson, Donovan Jeffers, plans to join the air force and is “leaning toward” a career in law-enforcement.
Lila Riffle said her grandson, Nicholas Parsons, liked the program. He graduated from high school and wants to go into the Marines.
Not everyone present Friday was graduating, though. It was English teacher Karen White’s last day at the academy as she is retiring. Before teaching at the ChalleNGe Academy, White taught at Terra Alta, East Preston and in Washington, D.C. She took a moment to reflect on her time with the academy.
“The program is spectacular,” she said. “It’s worthwhile and rewarding to see the kids change and empower themselves. As a teacher, to see this is breath taking.”
