VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy welcomed families and friends of Class 63 cadets to Family Day Oct. 18, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cadets conducted a pass in review and drill and ceremony demonstration before enjoying several hours with their families and friends, who were invited to tour classrooms and living spaces, as well as meet ChalleNGe teachers and cadre.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John “Boomer” Smith, the event’s guest speaker, Col. Jeff Wagstaff, Senior Army Advisor to the Virginia Army National Guard, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Jerome Ferrette, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe deputy director, were all on hand to receive the pass in review.
“Thank you for your applause, but the real recognition belongs to our cadets—those who have voluntarily chosen to be here and are committed to changing their lives for the better,” Smith said. “One of the reasons I was able to be successful is because I had a lot of support. The same kind of support is what our cadets receive here every day.
“The staff at this academy are truly dedicated to helping these young men and women meet their personal and academic goals,” Smith added. “Our teachers, counselors, support staff, and administration never waver in providing the level of guidance and encouragement these cadets need to succeed.”
The 46 cadets in Class 63 are slated to graduate Dec. 18, 2025, at Green Run High School.
Families came from all over Virginia to visit their cadets. Food and drinks were provided to the visitors who were invited to see an art display with products created by cadets in the art club. Art supplies were donated by the ChalleNGe Support Association. The ChalleNGe Support Association is a 501 c 3 that supports cadet scholarships for continuing their education after ChalleNGe and cadet welfare throughout the program for supplies, rewards and celebrations.
“CCYA depends on and appreciates the volunteers that donate and serve food to the staff, cadets and families,” said Jenn Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe.
Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. ChalleNGe is a 29-and-a-half-month program which includes a five-and-a-half-month residential phase, followed by a 24-month post-residential phase. It is free to Virginia teens aged 15 ½ - 18.
The residential phase is a structured, quasi-military style environment designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership while promoting self-esteem, confidence, and pride.
ChalleNGe is divided into three phases. The first phase is the Acclimation Period. This period is the first two weeks of the residential phase and consists of physical, leadership and mental ChalleNGes designed to test the candidates’ potential for success in the second phase of the program.
The second phase is a 20-week residential period that consists of academics, either high school credit recovery or GED test preparation, post-residential goal development, physical fitness, both individual and group counseling, life skills and team building.
The residential phase consists of academics and structured training that includes daily rigorous physical fitness exercises. A variety of extra-curricular clubs and sports are available.
TAC Officers (Teach Advise Counsel), also known as Cadre, are responsible for the cadets’ execution of the daily routine, physical fitness, personal hygiene, health and welfare, teaching ethical behavior and military science, and working together as a team. Physical training, drill and ceremonies, and barracks inspections are also integral parts of this training in teaching cooperation, tolerance of others, and teamwork.
Faculty members are responsible for academic training and instruction, which is supplemented by various off site field trips. Past field trips have included museums, the Virginia Aquarium, the state capitol, Washington D.C., and live theater performances.
In addition to the military structure for order, discipline and effectiveness, CCYA also utilizes a class system - hierarchical reward for performance and responsibility. Cadets earn “Green Phase” after successfully completing a two-week acclimation and then after week 6, they can go before the board for “Silver” and then “Gold,” each with a set of additional privileges and incentives.
The third phase of ChalleNGe is a two-year post-residential phase. This two-year advisory period is completed when the cadet returns home and has access to the guidance and assistance ChalleNGe Career Advisors.
CCYA employs a diverse and highly qualified team to meet the needs of its cadets. Staff members include Virginia Department of Education -certified teachers, military retirees and professionals with backgrounds in social work, school administration, and counseling.
Director Jenn Lanz brings over 23 years of public-school experience, while Deputy Jerome Ferrette and Commandant Bertrand both led successful high school Navy Junior ROTC programs within Norfolk Public Schools.
If anyone would like to get involved in mentoring or volunteering with CCYA, please contact our Mentor & Volunteer Coordinator at
nsoto@vaChalleNGe.org.
For more information about the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy call (757) 491-5932 or visit
vaChalleNGe.org.