The Washington Youth Academy recently had two cadets from the Federal Way area complete the program with each cadet receiving honors in academic achievement. In all, 143 cadets graduated from cycle 2017-1.

The school in Bremerton helps at-risk teens from each corner of the state, bringing students to live on campus for 22 weeks to help them recover missing credits so they can go back to high school and earn a diploma. The school also teaches job skills and life-coping mechanisms. Applications are now being accepted at mil.wa.gov/WYA for the Class of 2018-1, which starts Jan. 13, 2018.

Cadets from Federal Way include Mugai Laumea, who returns to Todd Beamer High School, and Marcia Ugalde, who goes back to Truman High School.

“Cadets have performed 9,221 hours of service to the community and that is worth over $277,000 in value to the community,” Director Larry Pierce said during commencement. “Cadets learn the intrinsic value of giving back to others without the expectation of anything.”

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. Established under authority of both federal and state law, the WYA 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.

After living on campus for nearly half a year, they return to their home community with the support of counselors and case managers and a mentor over the course of at least another year.

Hear directly from the cadets on the Washington Youth Academy’s YouTube Channel.