The Puerto Rico National Guard's Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy graduated 196 students on Friday at the Dolores "Toyita" Martínez Coliseum in Juana Díaz. The graduates came from 63 municipalities and completed 22 weeks of effort to earn their high school diploma. Brigadier General Carlos J.
Rivera Román, Puerto Rico's adjutant general, praised the graduates as examples of perseverance, discipline, determination and growth. Matilde Almodóvar, director of the Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy, said the program works directly with participants' goals and provides tools for their future. The National Guard has run this community education alternative for over 27 years to help Puerto Rican youth develop academically and personally.
Among the 196 graduates, 17 received Honorable Mention, 12 achieved Honor averages, 7 earned High Honors, and six achieved Academic Excellence. Looking ahead, 46 graduates will pursue bachelor's degree studies, 26 will begin associate degree programs, and 124 will start technical courses.