The commencement ceremony for the 38th class of the Montana Youth Challenge Academy was last month at the campus of Montana-Western in Dillon. Among the 113 graduating cadets were Columbia Falls residents Jordyn Buck, Skyler Warner and Hunter Collins.

Speakers included Major General Matthew Quinn, the Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard, and Dr. Deb Heeden, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Montana Western.

The Montana Youth Academy is a two-phase, academic-based program with a focus to assist youth ages 16-18 by helping them to develop the academic and life skills necessary to be successful. During the 22-week residential phase, academy participants focus on eight core components, which include physical fitness, academic excellence, leadership/followership, responsible citizenship, service to community, life coping skills, job skills and health and hygiene. Following graduation from the residential phase, students enter a 12-month post residential phase in which they maintain ongoing contact with a volunteer mentor in their community, who provides additional guidance and support.