The Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy conducted a commencement ceremony for Class 26-1 June 19 at Calvary Chapel in Boise. One hundred and six cadets graduated from the 22-week program—the academy’s 25th class—bringing the total number of IDYCA graduates to 2,665 since the program began in January 2014. The Idaho Youth Challenge Academy is a volunteer program for at-risk 16- to 18-year-olds. Roughly 350 students apply to attend each class, which the academy holds twice a year. Academy graduates have gone on to attend college, participate in Job Corps, complete vocational education or join the U.S. military, including one graduate who participated in the Presidential Inauguration Air Force Honor Guard. The goal of the program is to give youth a second chance to become responsible and productive citizens by helping them improve their academic standing, life skills and employment potential. The program employs a highly structured format emphasizing discipline, personal responsibility a...