Graduating cadets cheer as fellows cross the stage during the Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduation ceremony, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym. Pictured, from right, are Bryson Hagger, Michael Fortunato, Anthony Cristales, Harrison Covertt and Anthony Connelly.
Three platoons of the Texas ChalleNGe Academy (TCA), accented in victory gold, marched across the graduation stage as family, friends and faculty cheered from stands, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.
Under the Texas Military Department, TCA works in conjunction with Rice High School to help teens develop discipline, leadership, resilience, confidence and numerous life skills through a 22-week quasi- military program.
Of the 83 graduating cadets this spring, 20 received GEDs, and 20 received high school diplomas. The spring class completed 459 total high school credits, and 51percent of graduates achieved postsecondary readiness status.
Cadet Elijah Cosme instructs Cadets Hugo Van (front left), Jesus Anguiano, Aldo Pena Garcia and Luis Velasquez in Alpha Platoon through a marching formation at the start of the Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduation ceremony, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym. All photos by the Citizen | Allison Drinnon
Cadet Aiden Codd from Alpha Platoon, Cadet Ryan Janca from Bravo Platoon and Cadet Stori Ayers from Echo Platoon gave class speeches. Cadet Leland Rosa offered the invocation, and Cadets Angelina Ramirez and Alfredo Coca gave the benediction.
Eagle Lake Mayor Anthony Johnson was the guest speaker for the ceremony.
Cadet Private First Class Domanic Henry, Cadet Sergeant Michael Olatunji and Cadet Private Joy Denman each received a $1,200 scholarship from the Johnson Foundation. The scholarship recipients were revealed during the ceremony.
TCA awarded Most Outstanding Cadet for each platoon: Cadet Sergeant Aldo Pena-Garcia from Alpha Platoon, Cadet Corporal Landon Ashcraft from Bravo Platoon and Cadet Private First Class Maria Vargas from Echo Platoon. Out of the three, Pena-Garcia was named Most Outstanding Cadet of the Cycle.
TCA also announced the inaugural Most Improved Cadet award. Cadet Miguel Chavez received the honor.
Cadets Maria Vargas (left), Leonardo Garcia Alberto and Hugo Van present Eagle Lake Mayor Anthony Jackson with a signed class photo during the Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduation, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.Kadence Allen (left), Raelyn Aprea and Stori Ayers clap and cheer as fellow cadets cross the stage during the Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduation ceremony, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.Texas ChalleNGe Academy cadets cheer Michael Olatunji as he is announced a recipient of a Johnson Foundation scholarship during the graduation ceremony, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym. All photos by the Citizen | Allison DrinnonGraduates Ryan Janca, Grey Hill and Garrick Headley sing the national anthem at the start of the Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduation ceremony, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduates Stori Ayers, Gizelle Escobar and Melissa Castillo laugh before making their marching entrance, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.Texas ChalleNGe Academy Cadet Joy Denman grasps the arm of Stori Ayers after Denman was named a recipient of a Johnson Foundation scholarship during their graduation ceremony, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.Echo Platoon Cadet Stori Ayers gives a class speech after Alpha Platoon Cadet Aiden Codd (back right) and Bravo Platoon Cadet Ryan Janca (back left) during the Texas ChalleNGe Academy graduation, Saturday, June 13, in the Rice High School gym.
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