At alumni event, Cadet grads give advice to current cadets

Dozens of alumni at the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy returned to campus recently with a chance to connect with current cadets, hug staff and see how the campus has changed.

Veronica Gonzalez, who graduated in 17-2, is married, owns a home and works in dentistry today. But when she left the Academy on graduation day, she was a senior who didn’t have a high school to return to and was struggling.

“I did so well in the Academy and suddenly I found myself with people that didn’t have my back,” she said.

That was a constant theme among cadet graduates, with some noting there was a struggle with cadets getting frustrated with friends back home who hadn’t gone through the program. One graduate told cadets: “Treat yourself like a mansion, not a hotel.”

“You realize you change a lot and you grow, you get more confident,” said KimberLee Dally, a cycle 24-2 graduate, who is 17 now. “I was so young here. I was 15. And yet I really felt like an adult when I graduated. I remember being back home and people around me were just so childish to me.”

“Those people who won’t accept your changes, you just need to cut them off,” Cody Opp, a cycle 16-2 graduate, told cadets. “Don’t let them dictate who you are.”

Cory Opp, 15-2, and brother Cody Opp, 16-1.

One graduate said that the thing that helps him even today are deep breathing techniques — where you breathe in for seven seconds and exhale for 11 seconds, noting it still helps him calm down today.

Ruth Vela is 18 and went through the program during 25-1.

“I came here and it became my first home where I actually settled in,” she told cadets from the current class. “I loved it so much. It changed me so much. I wanted to come here because you people inspire me. I wanted to see that in myself again. I’m looking at you and I’m inspired to continue to go on.”

Vela gave Master SGT Matthew Andrews a hug and said that he taught her boundaries that she still lives by today.

“The sergeants were like family,” she said. “They took care of me, showed me love.”

Julian Silva graduated in 24-1. He said he made a mistake and had been kicked out of the Academy, but he earned a spot back the following cycle to try one more time and he thrived. The Academy is known for giving second chances.

“Where else can you get 10 credits and work on your body and your mind?” he told cadets. “You are looking forward to that day where you graduate but once you are there and wearing the blue robe, it makes you feel like a little kid on Christmas Day. Feels nice. It’s an accomplishment. I did it. You guys are going to do it and make it through. Once you do graduate, it hits differently. At the end of the day, the staff here, they don’t get any personal gain for you getting better. They are here just because they want to make a difference in your lives.”

Angela Garcia-Salazar graduated from the Academy in cycle 14-2. Her brother went to the Academy after her and, today, her sister Juanita is attending as part of cycle 26-1.

They had a chance to hug after Angela talked to cadets.

“I am just so, so proud of you for being here and doing what you need to do,” Angela told her sister. “Don’t give up. I’m here for you.”

The Salazar sisters — Angela speaking and Juanita in the foreground.