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263 students complete Lincoln's Challenge
Cadets graduate in ceremony at Prairie Capital Convention Center
Gabriele Ray of Riverton watched her 17-year-old son, Jeffery, graduate Saturday from Lincoln's Challenge Academy, a program for troubled youth operated by the Illinois National Guard.
Her description of her son's road to graduation was direct after he had been in and out of trouble, and kicked out of school. "It feels like I've been through hell, but today, I'm ecstatic," said Ray.
Jeffery was among 263 cadets who graduated during the ceremony held at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield. It was the academy's 32rd class.
"He's got a job with the railroad and is considering joining the military," Ray said.
Jeffery, like other Lincoln's Challenge cadets, came to the academy after dropping out of school or being kicked out.
Lincoln's Challenge students complete a rigorous 22-week residential program at the academy on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. Costs of enrollment, say staff, are covered by the government and are thousands of dollars less than what taxpayers would pay each year for an individual who winds up in prison.
"The resident program provides a structured military approach, coupled with academics to provide students a disciplined, regimented educational environment," said spokeswoman Stephanie McCurry. "Not only does the academy program provide former dropouts the education and skills they need to become successful adults, students also leave the program more self disciplined and with a new-found work ethic that makes them a more valuable asset to society."
After graduating from the 51/2-month residential program, students return to their communities to begin post-secondary education, join the military, or enter the work force. After graduation, each student is paired with a volunteer mentor who acts as both an adviser and role model.
Keynoke speaker Saturday was Allan Woodson, director of workforce development with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
The academy's objectives, Woodson noted, include educational excellence, job skills, citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, health and hygiene, and community service.
Citing what he called "Woodson's rules of the road," Woodson encouraged graduates to remember, "We all make mistakes, but then need to find ways to improve."
Lincoln's Challenge, said Woodson and valedictorian Tiana Daum, offers opportunities to young people to change.
"Each of us has our own personal reasons for coming to the academy. The reasons are not what's important. What is important is that we accepted the fact that we had a problem of some sort and took the next step toward solving it," Daum said. "None of us was ever a bad kid. We just needed a little help and guidance to set us back on the right path. We wanted to find a better life for ourselves."
Friends and family attended Saturday's ceremony.
"I'm so excited. This is wonderful," said Angela Clinch of Peoria, on hand to watch her son, Shaun Levi, graduate.
Shaun credited Lincoln Academy with teaching him self-discipline and self-confidence, and said his immediate plans include community college.
Jasmine Alvarez, 18, of Chicago, graduated Saturday and participated in the academy's Color Guard, whose members wear replicas of Civil War uniforms.
Concern about her future, Alvarez said, prompted her to apply to the academy.
"I knew I had potential," said Alvarez, who plans to study criminal justice in college and become a homicide detective.
Larry Baker of Chicago said he was kicked out of three schools before entering the academy.
But now, Baker said, he has learned how to maintain positive "mental states."
"I had anger issues," said Baker, adding that his mother and a probation officer encouraged him to consider Lincoln's Challenge.
"My mom said that if I didn't do something, I was headed to prison," Baker said.
Prior to Saturday's graduation ceremony, Gabriele Ray helped sell Lincoln's Challenge T-shirts, caps and water bottles.
At one end of the table was a flyer that read simply, "How to save a life: Care as if she were your own."
Long said she wasn't sure where the flyer came from or if it was necessarily connected to Lincoln's Challenge.
But the sentiment is one that is reflected in the educators, law enforcement officers, clergy and others who serve as mentors and the overall mission of Lincoln's Challenge, say academy staff.
"When the beacon of light has dimmed, Lincoln's Challenge offers hope," said academy director Thomas.
Want more information?
Applications are now being taken for the next Lincoln's Challenge Academy class. For information, call Lincoln's Challenge at (800) 851-2166.
To read the full article, click here.
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Kimberly Hanscom
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