ANNVILLE, PA — On Saturday, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) celebrated the graduation of 52 cadets from its 22-week residential program, marking a critical milestone on their path to personal and professional success.
The KSCA, located at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, offers 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvanians at risk of dropping out of high school a second chance to succeed through education, leadership training, and community service. The structured program includes academic instruction and career preparation coursework, such as resume writing and access to certifications through IBM Workspace and Coursera.
“The caliber of cadets, level of training, and incredibly committed staff all equate to the success that this program has been enjoying, and the great reputation the academy is developing,” said Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). He added, “Best wishes to these young men and women as they enter the mentorship phase of the program.” Pippy also noted the “remarkable 88 percent retention rate since day-one of the program.”
The academy incorporates community involvement into its curriculum. Cadets have volunteered at food banks, assisted with the March for the Fallen, and maintained cemetery, park, and military ceremony grounds. Following graduation, the cadets will participate in a 24-month mentorship phase to continue their education, enter the workforce, or join the military.
Dr. George M. Schwartz (Brig. Gen. Ret.), a guest speaker at the ceremony, hailed the cadets’ achievements. “It was an honor to be invited to speak at Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy graduation, celebrating the achievements and bright futures of these remarkable students,” he said. “I am deeply inspired by their resilience and determination, and enjoyed sharing a message of encouragement as they embark on this exciting new chapter of their lives.”
The KSCA, a collaboration involving the DMVA, the National Guard Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is part of the National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Program. Since its inception in 1993, the program has helped over 215,000 young people nationwide and is celebrated as one of the country’s most effective initiatives for at-risk youth.
The academy is tuition-free, providing cadets with meals, housing, uniforms, and school supplies. Applications for the next program, starting in July 2025, are now open, continuing the mission to guide young people toward brighter futures.
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