To the Keystone State Challenge Academy Cadre and Counselors,
There are moments in life that change a person forever. For my family, Keystone State Challenge Academy is one of those moments.
I have sat down several times to write this email, and every time I find myself overwhelmed with emotion because I know there are simply no words that could ever fully express the gratitude I have for each of you.
When I sent Owen to Keystone, I sent you a young man who was struggling to find his direction. As his mother, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I worried every single day. I prayed constantly that he would find his way and that someone would see in him what I had always known was there beneath the hurt, the frustration, and the poor choices.
You did.
You didn’t give up on him. You challenged him. You held him accountable. You believed in him when he needed people to believe in him the most.
Because of you, my son came home with his head held high. Instead of beginning this school year as a junior, he is advancing as a senior. He is talking about co-op opportunities and planning for his future. He has chosen to continue serving through JROTC because he found purpose, pride, and leadership through your example.
You’ve also given me something I wasn’t sure I’d ever have again—open and honest communication with my son. Our conversations are different now. He talks to me instead of shutting me out. He shares his thoughts, his goals, and his struggles. We’ve rebuilt a level of trust and connection that I feared we had lost, and that has been one of the greatest gifts of all.
Along the way, he also found something every young person hopes for—friendships and bonds that I truly believe will last a lifetime. He found people who challenged him, encouraged him, and walked beside him through one of the most important chapters of his life. Just as meaningful, he developed a genuine trust and respect for the Cadre. Knowing he had adults he could look up to, learn from, and confide in gave him the confidence to grow into the young man he is becoming. As his mother, there is no greater comfort than knowing my son was surrounded by people who cared enough to hold him to a higher standard while never giving up on him.
But the accomplishment that touched my heart the most wasn’t found on a report card.
It was hearing my son ask not to be placed in classes with the kids he knows are bad influences.
That one request told me everything I needed to know.
For the first time in a long time, he understands that his future depends on the choices he makes and the people he surrounds himself with. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of dedicated people who refuse to stop believing that young lives can be changed.
You gave me my son back.
Not a perfect young man—because none of us are—but a young man who believes in himself again. A young man who is making better decisions. A young man who sees possibilities instead of roadblocks. A young man who now understands that his future is worth fighting for.
As a mother, there is no greater gift you could have given me.
I know your days are long. I know the work is demanding. I know there are moments when it probably feels like your efforts go unnoticed. Please never question the impact you have.
Because somewhere, there is another mother like me who lies awake at night praying that someone can reach her child. You are those people.
You don’t just teach discipline. You build confidence. You don’t just enforce standards. You build character. You don’t just help these young men graduate. You help them believe they are capable of becoming the men they were created to be.
You have forever changed the direction of Owen’s life, and because of that, you have forever changed mine.
From the deepest place in a mother’s heart, thank you for every early morning, every correction, every difficult conversation, every ounce of patience, every expectation you refused to lower, every lesson, every word of encouragement, and every moment you poured into my son.
Thank you for seeing his potential before he could fully see it himself.
Please know that your work matters. It mattered to Owen. It mattered to me. And it has made a difference that will stay with our family for the rest of our lives.
I will never be able to repay what you’ve given us, but I will spend the rest of my life being grateful for it.
April Biggs
While I was at KSCA, I went from always wanting to go home to finally having confidence in myself to accomplish the challenge. I used to cry almost every day because I missed my family and my friends. But my old life and my old ways weren’t getting me anywhere.
It took a lot of tough love conversations from the staff to finally get me to believe in myself and push through the things that were holding me back. I also had to let go of the fact that I can’t fix or control everything. My family wanted me here, so I had to stick the program out not just for them, but for myself.
KSCA is a place where you become the person you want to be. Not for anyone else, but for yourself and your own well-being. It took me a while to get to that point, but the staff and your team really are in your corner, even when it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.
Now that I’ve graduated KSCA, I’m a junior firefighter at Lawn Fire Company, and I also work at Dunkin’ Donuts. I believe in myself now and I’m so much more confident. I know I’m not the same person who walked through those doors on July 13th, 2025.
I’m someone who puts in the work, even when it’s hard. I’m confident in who I’m becoming, and I’m determined to keep growing into the person I want to be. Because the work doesn’t stop when you graduate. That’s really when it begins.
Graduate Hughes
My success story is that before KSCA, I was a really quiet person. I didn’t speak up at all and had social anxiety and all that. Being in an environment where teamwork is what keeps you afloat, I started to open up and become the version of myself I always wanted to be. It made a huge difference in my day-to-day life and how I interact with people now outside of KSCA.
Shortly after I graduated from KSCA with Class 25-1, I decided to ask Mr. Mann about attending MJCP (West Virginia Job Challenge). I made sure I was really adamant about wanting to go so he wouldn’t forget and would keep me at the top of his list. About six months went by after I graduated KSCA, and the time finally came where I was able to go to MJCP and attend the HVAC class.
I had an amazing experience at MJCP. All the cadre there really care about you, and it’s honestly nothing like KSCA. It’s a lot more laid back since you already finished the hard part. I like to think of my time at MJCP with this simple phrase my cadre used to say to me: “Work hard, party harder.” Of course, he didn’t say it exactly like that, but that’s how I remember it. I always made sure to give myself the breaks and rewards I earned through my actions.
Twelve weeks went by, and I ended up graduating MJCP as the first KSCA cadet to graduate there through the partnership. At first, I was really scared that if I failed, I’d ruin the opportunity for other alumni to come to such a great place. Thankfully, I did well and graduated.
I’ve learned a lot from both KSCA and MJCP, and I carry those traits with me every day in the real world. I honestly don’t think I could’ve done it as easily without KSCA. It was definitely the push I needed.
Graduate Benzeleski
I'm Graduate Mella. I graduated with the class of 25-2. The program helped me tremendously. I grew so much while being at Keystone and I still see myself changing every single day. Because of Keystone and the staff there I was finally able to shine and show everyone who I was. While at Keystone, I cried pretty much everyday, but don't get it twisted I may be crying but I did what I needed to do.
I went from crying everyday, and selling myself short, to being PL. I also won the most improved award. I went from this insecure, attention seeker person to a confident, determined young lady. I did this with the help of my cadre, staff, and my teammates.
When I came home I did have challenges, but I leaned on my cadre and staff. Almost 6 months out of the program and I still continue to reach out. As of right now I have my permit, thanks to the class drivers ed. I have a job, thanks to the class on job skills. And I am enlisting in the Reserves thanks to the Friday 3 E's.
You have to take all of the lessons and advice they give you at Keystone and apply it in your daily life. And I don't mean folding corners, I mean using the coping skills and the discipline. I will forever be so thankful that I got an opportunity to go to Keystone. I changed for the better and it allowed me to embrace my true self. I've never been happier!
Graduate Mella