Barbour County Students Graduate From MCA

The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is pleased to announce Class 2-23 as the 61st class to complete this West Virginia National Guard Program. Commencement exercises were held Friday, December 15th at Camp Dawson in Kingwood. A total of 101 graduates from 30 counties across the State of West Virginia successfully completed the requirements for graduation. Delegate Moore Capito congratulated the Cadets and gave the commencement address.

The following Cadets participated from Barbour County:

Cadet Mallery Bronlyn Gain, daughter of Heather Gain of Philippi, was in Platoon 2. Cadet Gain was recognized for receiving the Academic Award for Most Iproved Cadet, Commandant's Cup, Good Conduct Award, Mentorship Award, S2C Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons. During their time at the Academy, Cadet Gain served in the following leadership positions: Asst. Platoon Leader(2).

Cadet Matthew Brock Gain, son of Heather Gain of Philippi, was in Platoon 2. Cadet Gain was recognized for receiving the Good Conduct Award, Health Award, Level One PT(3), Mentorship Award, S2C Award(3) as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons. During their time at the Academy, Cadet Gain served in the following leadership positions: Asst. Platoon Leader(2), Platoon Leader(4).

Cadet Parker Scott McDonald, son of Raymond McDonald of Belington, was in Platoon 3. Cadet McDonald was recognized for receiving the Level One PT(3), Mentorship Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.

Cadet Cobe Paul Mills, son of James Woodson of Philippi, was in Platoon 3. Cadet Mills was recognized for receiving the Level One PT(2), Mentorship Award, S2C Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.

Cadet Drake Mikie Gill Ryan Roark, son of Sierra Roark of Philippi and Kevin Roark of Evarts, KY, was in Platoon 4. Cadet Roark was recognized for receiving the Good Conduct Award, Mentorship Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.

Cadet Michael Zayn Robinson, son of Heather and Jordan Robinson of Philippi, was in Platoon 4. Cadet Robinson was recognized for receiving the Instructor's List, Level One PT(3), Mentorship Award, Overall Most Improved, S2C Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons. During their time at the Academy, Cadet Robinson served in the following leadership positions: Platoon Leader.

All graduating Cadets have completed the residential phase of ChalleNGe, which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from Service to Community to Employability Skills. Cadets in this class provided 4632.55 hours of Service to Community for such organizations as Food for Preston, American Red Cross, Gold Star, Trout for Cheat, Wreaths Across America, and the PCLA Awards Banquet. Following graduation, these Cadets will begin a one-year post-residential phase of ChalleNGe that includes placement activities in education and/or employment.

Applications are currently being accepted for Class 1-24 South that begins in April. Call toll-free at 1-800-529-7700 for more information.