Class 63 cadets graduate from Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy
251218-Z-DO111-0001.JPG Photo By: A.J. Coyne

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduates 40 cadets during a ceremony for Class 63 Dec. 18, 2025, at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. Jeff Wagstaff, Senior Army Advisor to the Virginia Army National Guard, Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe, Jerome Ferrette, the CCYA deputy director, and Juan Guisti, an alumnus of CCYA Class 8 and guest speaker for the event, congratulated each of the graduates on completing the five-and-a-half month-long residential portion of the program. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the 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)


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