Cadet's Success Stories
Hi, I'm Ebonne. I graduated in Winter 2001. They knew me as cadet Duhe. For sure, Freestate is the best thing I've ever done in my entire life!!! Praise God!!! All in all, I guess this whole forum thing is a great benefit for us who have actually gradutated from the program. I mean, face it...WE'RE DIFFERENT. Everybody's always sayin' "How in the world did you manage to get to college when you dropped out of high school?" It's such a testimony!
Former Cadet Duhe
For anyone who has any questions or concerns about this program, I'll try to put it into perspective for you.
I am a former member of the Freestate Challenge Academy, I attended the program in 1998. I was a troubled teen whom was very frequintly in trouble in school and the bad crowd that I associated with. I had been arrested several time for Idiotic things and was headed for worse places. The program very much opened my eyes and steered me in the right path. After I graduated from the Academy, I joined the U.S. Marines in 1999 and have been very successful. I learned most of the disipline and respect that I have presently from this very place and am proud that I took the time to change my life through the program. The Cadre ( Im sorry if you dont call yourselves Cadre anymore) took care of every member while I was there and while it was not exactly a fun place to be at the time. I dont think I would be as successful to day with out the porgram.
Ssgt Gregory P. Miller
Substance Abuse Control Officer / USMC
HI MY NAME IS EBONI ALSO KNOWN AS "WELCH" FROM CLASS 14,.I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM. I CAME THERE WHEN I WAS 16 YEAR OLD GIRL NOW IM A 23 YEAR OLD WOMAN WIFE AND MOTHER.IT REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE WHEN I WALK THROUGH THOSE DOORS. I WAS SO MAD WHEN I STARTED BUT AFTER ABOUT A MONTH I WAS FINE. PLEASE KNOW IF YOU EVER NEED SOMEONE WITH EXPERIANCE TO COME TALK WITH THE TEENS I GLADLY WILL!! I THANK YOU AND LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH TO ALL THE MYC FAMLIY.
FORMER CADET EBONI WELCH
The "Class 28" Honor Corp would like to thank Colonel;Mrs.Jolly;Mrs.Heymen;and Mr. Hammond
for the opportunity to enjoy the USO Champions Conference
in D.C on the Feb 25.The Honor Corp cadets greatly appreciate being selected for the chance 2 come to the conference.We all Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kalen Black & Honor Corp
The Freestate Challenge program is a blessing. I came there last cycle. I thought it would be no way i could complete the program, but i did. I did great on my G.E.D. Thanks to great instructors who worked with me. This program gives teens a second chance at life. An should recognize all over. Thanks to this program, i have a chance to be something in life. My mother was so proud. Thank you freestate, for all u have done. You have really change my life. Much respect.
Cadet Parks- cycle 25
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 2:52 PM
To: Sanders, Virginia
To Mrs. Virginia Sanders and Associates:
I am writing you to thank you for everything that you gave me during my short internship with you. I would also like to thank you for keeping this line of contact open because you have showed me side of the legislative govermentn that I would never have been able to experience without you. I have gained so much during my short time with you that I can't begin to express my gratitude towards you. I am currently waiting for my GED scores to arrive so that I may enlist and serve my country as my country has served me so many times before. I would also hope that you would keep your mind open to the cadets in the next class because you have given me the experience of a lifetime and I ho! pe you will give them the same treatment. You showed me that people really do care about each other and for that I will be forever grateful. I have no way to express my gratitude towards you but I hope that you will not forget me. I have been told that the unit that I am to be joining is currently deployed and I may be deployed with them. Pray for me and my fellow soldiers
Graceful Cadet Graduate
Letter from a former cadet to SSgt. Bruce D. Alexander, Cadre supervisor
Hey SSgt. Alexander, how is everything going? I'm pretty sure you haven't forgot former Cadet Truax from Freestate Challenge Academy. Well, I joined the U.S. Army as you can tell. I'm just a private. So how is everything going around your way? Do you still have the yellow Neon? I have been doing pretty well. Right now I am at Goodfellow AFB, TX. I am training to become a Fire Fighter. AIT is real laid back here; nothing like Basic training or Freestate's Pre-Challenge. Sad to say but Freestate Challenge Academy's training was a lot harder than basic training. At least in basic we can eat what we want and not just Main line (well bounce meal) 2 waters, meat, vegetables, salad, a piece of bread and dessert. Well I just wanted to say what's up and keep in touch. Write back when you get the chance. Hope to hear from you soon. C-yaw
PV2 Truax
U.S. Army
Goodfellow AFB, TX
Parent's Success Stories
-----Original Message-----
From: LuvGOOFYagain***********
Sent:
To:
Subject: [SPAM] Impressive, Heartfelt Thanks..................................................
Importance: Low
Col. Richard Young Jr. (Ret)
My son, Anthony Hudson is currently enrolled in class #29. I would like to take this time to express my gratitude to you, and for your INCREDIBLE staff. My son was headed off the beaten path in life and was such a "slacker". LUCKILY........ he was caught before he had a chance to get lost on that path of self destruction. I know that his first 2 weeks were terrible and I know he probably drove some of your staff crazy. I apologize to all of them for that. I am sure he was one of the first to try and get back home. As HARD as it was each time he called me, I told him to suck it up and then I hung up on him. After a few calls to me, I called upon Mr. Marsh. I told him my son was on the phone somewhere calling me and he needed to find him and talk some sense into him and tell him I refuse to come pick him up that he has to finish this program. After several talks Mr. Marsh had with my son, and when he realized I wouldn't give into his tears he decided to stay and try his best. I truly believe that Mr. Marsh`s words saved my son and he is still enrolled in your program.
Along the way He had some medicine issues that needed to be worked out with
I would also like to commend your teaching staff. My son now LOVES to read........I was FLOORED. For the first time in his life he asked me to get him books. I was so impressed. Among that his skills have improved 500%. The letters he now writes, I can clearly read and he spells words correctly (Finally). I am not sure what system they use but I know it works because my son is proof. He is now a member of the Honor Corps and so proud of himself. I had my son enrolled in SYLVAN Learning Center for almost 5 years and spent a ton of money to try to get him the help he needed. Your staff did so much more in such a short time. I am sorry I don't know names to thank.......however words could never express my gratitude to all of them.
Last, but surely NOT least................FIRST SERGEANT STRINGFELLOW and Cadre............. I am so impressed with the RESPECT my son now has for himself and others. His entire attitude has improved drastically. His self confidence went from I can't to....... I KNOW I can and I will. His personal hygiene is the best it has ever been since I stopped bathing him. Now he knows he has the potential to do anything he wants to do. That nothing is impossible. Dreams can truly become reality with effort. If you can think it, you can do it; all you have to do is try. His self esteem is priceless. Finally........after all these years you and your staff are responsible for making my son the person I knew he could be. I am so very, very, very proud of him and I make sure he knows that as well. I always gave a lot of love, hugs and kisses, compliments and support. Maybe that is where I went wrong. I was too loving and NOT hard enough. Regardless.........Your entire team has impressed me so much and I will forever be grateful to each of them that touched my child's life. It takes SPECIAL people to work with children, especially teenagers that come to you with hate, attitudes, and know everything already. Today was the second family day, and it was an awesome day. I watch the staff and see how they are and interact with everyone. How the cadets RESPECT them is impressive. After graduation I am going to ask Sergeant Stringfellow how he gets the counting thing to work. All he has to say is 10....9....and they RUN. I LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for reading this letter. I just wanted you to know how eternally grateful I am for you, your staff and this program.
P.S..... Even though Anthony would love to be home, he knows he needs to be there and complete this program. He likes being there now and I will see you at GRADUATION.
A Million Thanks,
Kimberly Hudson
ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!
I want to give a great BIG shout out to the entire Freestate Challenge Academy Program Staff!!! The changes I have seen in my son, Cadet Malry, are extraordinary! He has re-focused on those things which are important, like, life, education, and becoming a productive citizen.
I am sounding the ALARM!!! I'm telling all my friends, co-workers, stangers on the street....about the GREAT work you all are doing! I am forever grateful!
Melissa Sharpe-Jones
Proud Mommy
I have been a mentor to a female cadet who is completing her experience at the academy. I must say that she has gained the knowledge of her own inner strengths and has gained confidence in her ability to attempt and complete difficult tasks and look back on them as "wow, I couldn't do that before, but now I know I can do it easily." I am so proud of her for sticking with the program (she wanted to end things and go home several times). We've talked about and discussed different decisions about her life goals (I've seen her flop from idea to idea), we've done community service together, and we've looked for a job, discussing her employment growth to get her where she wants to be (knowing that deciding what you want your goals to be can be a major and developing task). Now, she seems genuinely excited about going to college (we've done 3 college visits and have 2 more to go). She knows she has been giving another opportunity to move in a positive direction by attending and completing Freestate Challenge Academy. The challenge she has now as I see it is to keep the excitement and momentum learned there going into her life and home environment after she graduates. Thank you to all involved with giving youngsters who don't know what to do another avenue to finish high school.
Ms. Davis
Congratulations to all the CADETS that have graduated this session, 12/06. What an experience this has been for not only the students but the parents and families. This program was not easy and I commend all the Cadets for a job well done. Thank you to the staff, once again for all you've done to help the kids achieve and better themselves. There are no more "Rost Boys", so my sincere thanks to you all for what you have done for them and our family too.
I love the way you've taught them how to make beds, it's so refreshing to see their rooms clean and their beds sheets/covers tucked tighly!
Monica and Fred Rost
I am feeling all of these right about now. My son is there and I do miss him. And from his letters he likes it and he's going to strive for all that he can, so that he may Graduate on time and come home to a Job that's waiting for him. I am glad that you have this program for youth that are troubled, giving up on life, or who has just claimed the street as theirs, and thinking that the streets will love them back. It shows them that life is hard and it has rules that they must abide by and live with. The structure and stability that are being taught to these kids are priceless. I just want to Thank You again, for giving youth a second chance in life, without becoming a statistic.
We would like to thank Colonel (Richard "Thunder" Young) for the opportunity to attend to the USO Champions Conference here in Washington, D.C. on the 25th of Febuary through the 1st of March. We had a great time and are very grateful for being selected.
Sincerely,
David Bobick & Amber Anderson
Letter from a very proud parent
My son, Cadet Robert Clark, Jr. entered the Freestate Challenge Program in July, 2005. He is now 9 weeks away from his first life changing commitment, graduating with a high school diploma. He entered the program fully committed and has been challenged. I cannot begin to tell you that I have seen first hand (parent visitation day) that my 17 year old son has become a young responsible man. I am a proud parent and I know that when he comes home in December that he will have a direction in life that will only improve his future. I commend the Cadre and all of the staff of the Freestate Challenge Program. You give the troubled youth an opportunity to see that there is hope for a change.
Thank you for everything.
Letter from a very proud parent
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:49 PM
To: Info @ NGYCP.ORG
Subject: [Spam] - Proud Parent
Importance: High
My daughter graduated from the Freestate ChalleNGe June 2005. I can say that the program was PERFECT for my daughter. I really believe that had God not lead her to the program, she would be dead or incarcerated by now. She is a bright young lady who became distracted at school by everything and everybody. So she simply stopped going. She was cutting school to hang out with older guys. We were constantly fighting and arguing and she had no respect for anything or anyone, including herself. Her life had become a chaotic mess. Then she decided to try the Freestate Challenge. I am amazed each day by the changes in her attitude and her outlook on life. With the help of her mentor, Kim and the staff, Sgt. Chandler, Sgt. Lewis, Sgt. Ford), she has turned her life around. Of course, there were struggles along the way. Nothing that a little positive discipline and reinforcement couldn't help. I tell you, I looked up, and she was singing in the Freestate Choir (I got to go to various area churches to hear them. They were awesome!), she was playing on the Freestate Basketball Team (Division Champs-thank you very much!) and giving the prayer and Benediction at graduation. I have had so many proud moments! From Family Day visits, to Prom, to Graduation. What a blessing!
Now, not only has she successfully completed the program, but she has been accepted into college for the coming fall where she will major in Social Work to help other young people to become successful. She will be playing on the basketball team, singing in the choir AND they are anticpating her arrival so that she can start their first ever Liturgical Dance Team! I am so blessed by what the FREESTATE ChalleNGe program did for my daughter. I am also proud of my daughter for making the decision to get her life together.
Ms. Kym Jackson, mother of Charlitta A. Mack (FRESHMAN-Clinton Junior College, Rock Hill, SC)
E-mail from a happy a grandmother
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 8:55 AM
To: charles.rooks@apg.army.mil
Subject: (no subject)
HELLO, I AM XAVIER MYRICK'S GRANDMOTHER - JUST AN UPDATE ON XAVIER - WELL JUST THIS AM HE IS PREPARING TO SING ON THE CHOIR AND POSSIBLY PLAY THE DRUMS FOR A FEW OF THE SONGS. HE LOVES CHURCH - HE IS ENROLLED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND IS DOING WELL.- "B" - AVERAGE. HE ALSO WORKS AT A NICE STORE UP TOWN DC AND THEY LOVE HIM. ONE OF HIS SALES NETTED $4000 FOR A SPECIAL COFFEE POT. hE PLANS TO ENROLL IN HOWARD UNIVERSITY'S ROTC PROGRAM NEXT AND. CONTINUE AT UDC AND HOWARD. I AM PROUD OF HIM AND GLAD YOU ALL GAVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE IN LIFE. HE IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT AND IS DEFINITELY MAKING A GOOD MOVE IN HIS LIFE.
THANKS AGAIN AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK - A CHILD YOU SAVE MAYBE ABLE TO HELP YOU SOME DAY KEEP YOUR PROGRAM GOING.
Letter from grandparents to the Program Director
Dear Col. Young:
We have a grandson who entered into your wonderful youth saving
Program. I happened upon your bulletin board and was surprised to find it. It is a wonderful tool to correspond with the people who are leading our grandson. I'm sure other parents and grandparents would use it. I posted a note letting everyone know about how wonderful everyone
was at his induction into your program. The cadets are now entering
their fourth week. We have received two letters from our grandson. In his letters we notice a change through his writings. We live in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. We looked into other Programs in our area and none of them compared to the Freestate Challenge Academy. On induction day your staff was extremely kind and professional. We appreciate everything that the program is doing to make a better future for our grandson. I had visions of visiting him in prison. Now in our later years it will be nice to visit him and his family at home in nice surroundings. I worked for the Washington Post for 31 years as an Advance Special Project Manager and this is a story I think they should cover. If there is anything I can do for your Program please let me know. Please pass this note along to your staff and we will be there on Sept 18, 2005 for his first visit with his family. We are two very thankful grandparents in NC.
Harry & Lois Welsh
Ocean Isle Beach, NC