Posted: Mar. 6, 2018 | Source: Clay County Free Press

The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is pleased to announce that Cadet Jasmine Sierra Hanshaw, the daughter of Bobby and Crystal Hanshaw of Procious, has completed the requirements for graduation.

Cadet Hanshaw is one of 153 graduates from thirty five (35) counties across the State of West Virginia.  Class 2-17 is the forty ninth (49th) class to complete this West Virginia National Guard Program.  Commencement exercises were held Friday, December 15th, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, WV.    MG James A. Hoyer congratulated the Cadets.

While attending the Academy, Cadet Hanshaw of Platoon 3 was recognized for receiving the Announced Inspections Streamer (2), Caring Ribbon, Citizenship Ribbon, Education Streamer (2), Esprit De Corps Streamer (3), Fairness Ribbon,  Hoorah Streamer, Mentorship Award, Respect Ribbon, Responsibility Ribbon, S2C Award, Trustworthiness Ribbon, and Unannounced Inspections Streamer, as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons.  Cadet Hanshaw also participated in the Presidential Physical Fitness Program.

All graduating Cadets have completed the 22-week residential phase of ChalleNGe which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from Service to Community to Employability Skills.  In addition to classroom studies, the Cadets traveled to the State’s Capitol in Charleston.  Cadets in this class provided 9,560.75 hours of Service to Community for such organizations as American Red Cross Blood Drive, Trout for Cheat, Brown Bags for Vets, Adopt a Highway, Kingwood and Reedsville VFD, Apple Butter Festival, Operation Christmas Child, and Alzheimer’s Association. 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 2-18 that begins in July.  Call toll-free at 1-800-529-7700 for more information.