Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Graduates First Class Of 2025
On June 14, 2025, after 22 weeks, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) Class 25-1 graduated 88% of the cadets that reported on day one!
Fifty-two young cadets are now entering the 24-month Post-Residential phase of this National Guard program. Youth ChalleNGe is a Department of Defense (DoD) program provided through the National Guard Bureau (NGB) designed to help teens 15-18 years old who are in danger of dropping out of school or not graduating on time. The ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap was attended by the cadets’ families, members of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. Several state representatives and a U.S. senator staff member from Pennsylvania were in attendance to celebrate cadets from their districts.
“It was an honor to be invited to speak at Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy graduation, celebrating the achievements and bright futures of these remarkable students,” said Dr. George M. Schwartz (Brig. Gen. Ret.). “I am deeply inspired by their resilience and determination and enjoyed sharing a message of encouragement as they embark on this exciting new chapter of their lives.”
Cadet Xyel Myles was presented the McEwan-Jones Scholarship Award by the first ever recipient, Kavon McEwan-Jones (Class 24-1) and Gillian Barrie of the Pennsylvania National Guard Association (PNGAS). This scholarship has been awarded by the members of PNGAS for the last two years. Additionally, cadets Talen Baughman and Maveric Knoff were awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Post 1983, National Leadership Award. Brandon Hayes, a Purple Heart recipient and member of Post 1983, was present to honor these two cadets.
KSCA provided other awards which included:
The ChalleNGe Award – Cadet Nathan Middlekauff
The Esprit de Corps Award – Cadet Talen Baughman
Cadet of the Cycle Award – Cadet Maveric Knopf
And the Cadre of the Cycle Award – John Houk
Maj. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general-Army, was on hand to officiate the Enlisted Oath of Office to eight cadets entering the once of the services whether active or National Guard:
Cadet Isaiah Brickhouse
Cadet Talen Baughman
Cadet Juelz Vidal
Cadet Eric Schlick
Cadet Ethan Heffner
Cadet Bradley Fields
Cadet Frank Munsky
Cadet Lucas Pettigrew
Class 25-1 has many accomplishments to be proud of and was KSCA’s largest class to date with the highest retention rate of six total classes. Their accomplishments include but are not limited to:
88% cadet retention rate (52/59)
Well over 2,200 hours of service to community, valued over $30,000
Nine cadets have lost 20-plus pounds, Three more lost more than 40 pounds since day one at reception
Nine cadets have gone through the MEPS process and are finalizing their enlistment
22 cadets offered employment, with more scheduled interviews in the following weeks
20 cadets earned their GED
27 credit recovery cadets are on pace to earn up to 82 full academic credits in math, science, language arts and social studies
16 learner’s permits earned
The National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Academy is provided in 26 states and territories and represents 39 National Guard Youth Challenge academies. This completely free program funded by the Department of Defense, through NGB and the DMVA, is making a difference in our next generation of students, workers, and military service members. The KSCA is building a better future for Pennsylvania teens.