YCA graduates 209 in latest graduation
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| Eight graduating cadets from Bryan County gathered together moments before the YCA graduation on Saturday in Macon. More than 200 cadets received their GEDs before more hundreds of proud parents and friends. |
Macon -- Two hundred and nine cadets from the Fort Stewart-based Youth Challenge Academy took a giant step toward future achievement as they graduated from YCA Class 2008-02 during graduation ceremonies on Saturday, June 21 at the Macon City Auditorium.
Families and friends crowded the auditorium to witness cadets from more than 35 Georgia counties individually accept their GEDs. Eight graduating cadets were among the top ten percent in the nation to score over 3000 on the GED tests administrated nationally.
Brig. Gen. Larry Dudney, Commander, 78th Troop Command, was the commencement speaker and applauded the graduates on their decisions to move forward, often after difficult beginnings and to stick with the challenges and opportunities that the YCA program offered them. Dudney also welcomed a dozen YCA graduates who have decided to join the military.
More than 7,700 cadets have graduated from Georgia's YCA since the program was inaugurated in 1993. Today two YCA campuses operate in Georgia, the original campus at Fort Stewart and the second campus at Fort Gordon near Augusta.