REDMOND, Ore. - The Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (OYCP) graduated 131 cadets from their 22-week program at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. OYCP is The Oregon National Guard’s alternative high school, and is located in Bend, Oregon.
The program gives at-risk students a second chance to catch up on credits. In addition, the program allows attendees to re-enter high school, graduate on time with their peers, or graduate from OYCP with a state-accredited high school diploma.
“We want to help students get back on track to be productive citizens for the State of Oregon,” said Daniel Radabaug, OYCP Director. “OYCP is free to attend for any Oregonian that qualifies; cadets live here at no cost during the 22 weeks while they catch up and learn valuable life skills."
In 1999, the Oregon National Guard established the OYCP in Bend, Oregon, as an intervention program to reclaim the lives of Oregon teens who had dropped out of high school or were not on track to graduate. “At-risk” refers to the risk of not graduating high school. To help at-risk students, the Department of Defense invested in the OYCP style challenge model for youth development and community outreach.
Oregon Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, Oregon, Brig. Gen. Eric J. Riley, the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program graduation guest speaker, congratulated the graduates during his remarks during their commencement ceremony.
“You are the future leaders of our communities...we believe there is no better program or alternative school to meet the needs of our students who might otherwise drop through the cracks.”
The stated mission of the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program is: To provide opportunities for personal growth, self-improvement, and academic achievement among Oregon high school dropouts, teens no longer attending, and those failing in school through a highly structured non-traditional environment, integrating training, mentoring, and diverse educational activities.
OYCP attendees must be 15 to 18 years old, a legal United States and Oregon resident, and academically deficient (behind in high school credits) or in danger of not graduating high school. OYCP can be contacted through their website, https://www.oycp.com, or by calling 541-317-9623.
Date Taken: | 12.14.2022 |
Date Posted: | 12.15.2022 23:12 |
Story ID: | 435317 |
Location: | REDMOND, OREGON, US |
Web Views: | 257 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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