[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E781-E782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING MONTANA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY OF DILLON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2019

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the staff, 
instructors, and mentors of the Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy in 
Dillon for helping thousands of at-risk youth turn around their lives 
toward a more promising, productive future.
   Celebrating its 20th year, the Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy 
(MYCA) provides young Montanans from 16 to 18 the opportunity to 
develop academically and hone workforce and social skills in a secure, 
structured setting.
   The 22-week program, sponsored by the Montana National Guard and the 
State of Montana, focuses on academics, responsibility, service, 
leadership, and health. Nearly 3,000 students have graduated from MYCA 
since 1999, with volunteer mentors supporting and guiding them 
following graduation.
   Every cadet in the academy has a story of personal struggle and 
perseverance. Many

[[Page E782]]

have faced circumstances that put them at risk of not completing high 
school. One such cadet is 17-year-old Crystal Whitedirt.
   Placed in foster care as a child, Crystal struggled with learning 
disabilities. As a high school junior, she was informed she was 
unlikely to meet graduation requirements. Crystal decided to enter 
MYCA.
   Though her first attempt at graduating MYCA was unsuccessful, she 
reentered the academy eleven months later. Through perseverance and the 
assistance provided by MYCA, Crystal graduated MYCA on June 15 as part 
of the academy's 40th graduating class.
   ``People always told me it would be tough, but to push through and 
do things because you'll have your family right beside you,'' Crystal 
said. ``I never knew what they meant. I never had that, but now I do. I 
never thought my family would be so big.''
   Crystal plans on joining the Job Corps program. She hopes to someday 
enter the military and become a role model for her community.
   Madam Speaker, for twenty years of helping Montana's at-risk youth 
develop the skills and abilities they need to overcome challenges and 
turn their lives around, I recognize the staff, instructors, and 
mentors of the Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy for their spirit of 
Montana.

                          ____________________