WASHINGTON YOUTH ACADEMY GRADUATES
Five Clark County children were among 144 Youth Academy cadets who graduated Dec. 20 in Bremerton. They are Antonio Butler, Asia Owens, Gabriela Padilla and Victor Torres, all of Vancouver, and Cameron Kitterman of Washougal. They will return to high school to get their diplomas or seek an alternative path to finish their high school education.
The Washington Youth Academy is a division of the National Guard’s Youth Challenge program for youth who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out. Graduates can recover up to 8 credits, or approximately 1.3 years of high school credits, to help them graduate on time with their peers. The cadets participate in an intensive 22-week residential program and receive mentoring and placement follow-up for one year after graduation.
Submissions should be brought to The Columbian, News Department, 701 W. Eighth St., mailed to P.O. Box 180, Vancouver, WA 98666, emailed to pauline.sipponen@columbian.com or neighbors@columbian.com, phoned to 360-735-4524.
