The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy announces that Cadet Benjamin Stephen Barbour of Franklin has completed the West Virginia National Guard Program. Commencement exercises were held June 14 at Camp Dawson in Kingwood.
Barbour is the son of Laura Brown of Franklin and Steve Barbour of Virginia Beach, Virginia and was in Platoon 1. He was recognized for receiving the Instructor’s List, Mentorship as well as obtaining the six individual values recognition ribbons.
A total of 85 graduates from 34 counties across the State of West Virginia successfully completed the requirements for graduation. CSM James Jones congratulated the cadets and gave the commencement address.
All graduating cadets have completed the residential phase of ChalleNGe, which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from service to community to employability skills. Cadets in this class provided 3687.5 hours of service to community for such organizations as American Red Cross, Trout for Cheat, Camp Galilee, Girl Scouts of America, and Operation Gratitude.
Following graduation, these cadets will begin a one-year post-residential phase of ChalleNGe that includes placement activities in education and/or employment.
For more information about Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy, call 1-800-529-7700.
