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National Guard to launch turn-around program for high school dropouts
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Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
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(Harrisburg) — Pennsylvania’s National Guard is launching a program to help high school dropouts turn their lives around.
The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy is designed for at-risk youth, ages 16 to 18.
It’s a voluntary program and students have to apply. Candidates cannot have a felony on their record or use drugs.
The program’s director, Brigadier General Stephen Radulski, said it starts with a five-and-a-half month stint at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.
“Pseudo-boot camp is one way to put it,” he said. “It’s very demanding, physically but, obviously, academics is the primary focus.”
Students then choose a mentor to help them through the next year, in which they may finish high school, go on to college, or join the military.
Pennsylvania joins 30 other states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. in establishing such a program.
The first class is slated to open in 2022.
Radulski said the first steps are to finish facility renovations and hire staff.
“We need good adults that are experienced and practiced with working with kids; know how to counsel them, know how to mentor them and, most importantly, academically, to make them successful,” Radulski said.
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