The Washington Youth Academy celebrated the graduation of three students from the Federal Way area during commencement ceremonies on Dec. 20.

The students who have completed the program include Angela Alvarez Estrada, Angela Garcia-Salazar and Spencer Walton. These students were among 144 graduates who will all return to high school to get their diploma or seek an alternative path to finish their high school education, such as a GED or by joining Running Start.

The mission of the Washington Youth Academy is to provide a highly disciplined, safe and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational levels and employment potential and become responsible and productive citizens of the state of Washington.

The academy is a division of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Established under authority of both federal and state law, the academy is a state-run residential and post-residential intervention program for youth who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out.

The free program places cadets in a 22-week intensive residential phase. For the following year, the youth receives intense mentoring and placement follow-up. The school is in Bremerton, but anyone from around the state can apply.

For more information, visit http://mil.wa.gov/youth-academy.