The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduates 40 cadets during a ceremony for Class 64 July 2, 2026, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Retired Army Col. Everton Nevers, Virginia Department of Military Affairs chief of staff, Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe, and Jerome Ferrette, the CCYA deputy director, congratulated each of the graduates on completing the five-and-a-half month-long residential portion of the program. Retired Army Col. Angelo Riddick was the guest speaker for the event and the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided music for the ceremony. Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. ChalleNGe is a 17-and-a-half-month program that is structured in a military-style environment designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)