Perdue Offers Encouragement, Challenges
To YCA Graduates in Macon

Words of congratulations and encouragement are normal this time of year as thousands of high school and college graduates parade across stages throughout the state to receive hard earned diplomas. On June 17, the words of support for 230 graduates of the Fort Stewart-based were mixed with words of challenge from Georgia’s Governor Sonny Perdue.

Governor Perdue was the commencement speaker for YCA Class 2006-02 that occurred in Macon on Saturday, June 17th. An audience of close to 1000 family, friends, and well wishers crowded the Macon Auditorium on the Fathers Day weekend.

Gov. Perdue with the Douglas County graduates of YCA Class -02. From Left Cadet Deric Dandridge, Gov. Perdue, Cadet Owen Dubidad, Cadet Nicholas Rainwater, Cadet Chris Tolbert and Cadet Faith Young.

Governor Perdue, whose administration has been acknowledged for its education emphasis has shown continuous support for the National Guard Youth program.

“The Youth Challenge Academy gives many of our at-risk youths a second chance to be successful in life,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I want to congratulate all you for successfully completing the program and I encourage continued support from their family and friends.”

Class #2006-02 represents one of the largest classes to graduate from Youth Challenge in the 13-year history of the National Guard youth program. Since its first class at Fort Stewart in 1993, more than 6,000 formerly “at-risk” teens have graduated from the 22-week, in residence program. Georgia is among only a few states that operate two YCA campuses, the original at Fort Stewart and the Fort Gordon campus , opened in 2000 at Augusta’s Fort Gordon.

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