A Father's Story | A Mother's Story | Greatest of Thanks
Hello,
My son was in Class 24 and a member of Team 2. I would say his name but he wants to keep it personal and he said the cadre would know who it is, My son and I did not have a great relationship and at times he hated me, when we made the decision to send him to Tarheel Challenge I knew his anger for me would grow even more. To my surprise, he graduate the program and we are closer now more than before and not only do I have my son back, I have a best friend. I owe everything to Mr. Ladson, Mr. Williams, Mr. Bryant, Mr. McLamb, Mr. Callender, and Mr. Sutton. What many people do not realize is the dedication these men take out each day to make a heavy impact on young men lives. My son is always quoting Mr. Ladson and tells me all the stories of the Assistant Team Leaders all unique in their own way. He tells me of how Mr. Bryant would counsel them if their bunks were off line by just a inch but how it taught him structure and how to pay attention to detail. But what made a impact!on my relationship with my son was the conversation Mr. Williams had with my son about his anger and how his anger against me and the world would not make him a better man unless he forgave me and put all that anger out his heart. He told me that he spoke of experience and how he was the same way till he learned to forgive his own father and now him and his father are the best of friends. To some the Cadre of Team 2 are mean but to the kids who know them, these men are like second fathers. My son told me of the pranks they use to play on the cadre just to see a reaction by always waiting till it was time for them to leave to ask all the questions they wanted and to their suprise the cadre never got upset, they would dedicate their time to them and answer all questions. Before the dance not all of them could afford a nice suit and their cadre brought suits and ties from their homes in order for the them to attend the dance.
This type of dedication goes unnoticed. I remember! after graduation, my son was upset and I asked him why and he!told me that it was sad that the Cadre was not recognized separately from the Staff because it was the Cadre who made the biggest impact on the cadets and dedicated personal time to better our childrens life. My son now is doing much better and he has become so independent. When we go out of town he has shown the entire family how to roll their clothes and organize things for more room in the car. My wife sometimes wants to say things to him but I tell her how if doing things the TCA way helps then let him be that man he learned how to be. Mr. Ladson, I personally thank you and your entire cadre staff for what you have done, I knew the minute I left my son in your care and to hear the way you are and how honest you were, I did the right thing but I had no idea it would be this much of an impact. No father ever wants to admit anoter man could do a better job than he but I swallow my pride and admit I did not know how to be the father I am today if it wasn't for you and your team. God Bless Team 2 Cadre and here is your much deserved standing ovation you all deserve from graduation.
I now have two daughters who have successfully completed Tarheel ChalleNGe and got their GED from there. They have continued to do well in all aspects of life. I am so proud of them and what Tarheel has done for them and me. The staff at Tarheel deserves a standing ovation for what they do. My girls tell everyone that without their experiences at Tarheel the road they were on was the wrong one, however Tarheel turned them around and got them on the road to success. All my family and friends can see the huge difference in their personality and their outlook on life. We all wish that everyone would tell someone about Tarheel to help another child in need of a great opportunity to get on the right road to success. I can't say enough about how GREAT this program is for all children. From deep in my heart..................Thank God for TARHEEL CHALLENGE ACADEMY and the men and women who work so hard at the school to help our children!!!!!!!!! Mother of Class 19 Courtney Vavricka and Class 22 Kelli Vavricka. My Prayers have been answered with the help of this academy.
Thanks
Karen Orwig
Dear Mr. Jensen,
Thanks you so much for agreeing to fill out these forms/recommendations to senators for Matthew's nomination for an appointment to West Point. Hes is doing very well at Ga. Military College and will graduate in June with Associate Degree in Science and then will hopefully start over the following year for 4 years at West Point.
Matthew has made Dean's list every quarter as he prepares academically and physically to be chosen for West Point. I still can't believe the change in my son in one year! It all began with you at TCA ( Tarheel Challenge Academy ) and just want you to know that Matthew still mentions you often and speaks of your kindness and what it meant to him.
Many, many thanks to you and all the cadres for this miraculous change. You are so important in your role there.
Thanks
Matthew Prouty
3810 Doster Rd
Monroe NC 28112
Class of 22