Seattle Times celebrates Youth Academy graduate

CyCy Ocampo of Tacoma struggled to find her place in the world until she received support from a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound organization – and a nudge in the right direction from the Washington Youth Academy in Bremerton.

The Seattle Times detailed Ocampo’s story in a recent article.

The Times notes that Ocampo was at risk of not finishing high school until she and her “big sister,” Brianne King, agreed that the Washington Youth Academy would be a perfect fit for her.

King visited Ocampo while she was at the Bremerton facility, and was always available for a phone call, The Times noted, adding that the cadet did well, learning several academic and leadership ribbons.

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

King told The Seattle Times that Ocampo did it all while living and learning with some of the best friends she’s ever met.

“I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was for her,” King told The Seattle Times.

Ocampohas now has all her credits and is preparing to graduate from high school with a focus in the future nursing school.

Read the full story on The Seattle Times’ website.