Gillette Teens Among Cadets of Class 16

CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. - The Wyoming National Guard's Cowboy ChalleNGe Academy congratulated 35 teenagers who were chosen to be full cadets of Class 16 during a recent recognition ceremony, following two weeks of Pre-ChalleNGe.  The 35 cadets include 31 males and four females from 14 Wyoming counties and Colorado.

The Cowboy Challenge Academy, designed to help high school dropouts get their lives back on track, provides the teens with a regimented 5 1/2 month in-residence program helping them to reclaim their lives and develop the skills they need to be successful.  Core components of the program include academics, citizenship, life-coping skills, civic service, leadership and physical fitness.

Attendees must be between 16-18 years old and cannot be ordered to attend by the court.  All cadets enter the academy voluntarily and can leave the program at any time.

The Wyoming Cowboy ChalleNGe Academy is now accepting applications for its next class which begins in early April. All applications and supporting documentation must be received by the close of business, March 29.  Attendees will arrive and begin training at the program's campus, in Guernsey, on April 7.

Class 16 members are:

Kyle D. Atkinson, Clearmont;

Nyklas M. Barr, Worland;

Noah A. Bouck, Ft. Collins, Colo.;

Christopher D. Carey, Thayne;

Justin M. Carreras, Sundance;

Kevin Carrillo, Greeley, Colo.;

Kauner D. Charlebois, Cheyenne;

Tyson T. Christensen, Cody;

Shaun Z. Chriswisser, Hanna;

Austin M. DeWitt, Buffalo;

Carter M. Drake, Worland;

Robert Duran III, Cheyenne;

Cody L. Edwards, Riverton;

Tristan A. Elisson, Rock Springs;

Jessica A. Ellis, Worland;

Cleve A. Jordan, Casper;

Landon J. Lester, Evanston;

Jamaal C. Lohr, Eaton, Colo.;

Ray M. Phillips, Casper;

Forest G. Renaud-Fontaine, Laramie;

Keenan M. Rivera, Casper;

Zain A. Robidart, Gillette;

McKenna C. Ruby, Gillette;

Ryne D. Sandercock, Casper;

Michael J. Schmitt, Casper;

Maksim S. Shakirov, Rawlins;

Derek B.N. Shreffler, Ft. Collins, Colo.;

Dylan B. Tarris, Cheyenne;

Laci LeeAnn Thompson, Dubois;

Jade E. Tilton, Gillette;

Trystan J. Waldhart, Laramie;

Kameron M. Walker, Rock Springs;

Devon W. Willson, Cody;

Andrew V. Wolfrum, Aurora, Colo.;

Brandon A. Zacevich, Rawlins.

For information about the Wyoming Cowboy ChalleNGe Academy, cadet applications, or information on becoming a mentor, call 307-836-7500.