ChalleNGe program holds graduation ceremony for class #34- June 18, 2011

The Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe program graduated 99 cadets June 18, 2011 at the Naval Air Station Oceana theater in Virginia Beach. Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, a five and a half month program which focuses on preparing at-risk teens and high school dropouts for the General Educational Development test and future employment, military or higher education opportunities. Virginia Sen. Frank Wagner and Brig Gen. Wayne A. Wright, the deputy Adjutant General of Virginia, were among those on hand to congratulate the graduates. The ceremony also marked a farewell for retired Marine Corps Col. T.M. Early, who is retiring as director of the ChalleNGe program after leading it since 2005.