Alaska Military Youth Academy to Graduate 75 Cadets

WASILLA — A total of 75 cadets from The Alaska Military Youth Academy graduated Thursday, Dec. 15.

According to a recent press release, this was the Alaska Military Youth Academy’s 59th class of students. The 75 cadets joined the 6,415 previous graduates since 1994.

This year also marks the academy’s 28th anniversary.

The graduation ceremony was open to the public and took place at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. It was also live streamed over social media.

2022 graduates came from communities across the state, including Akiak, Anchorage, Bethel, Chugiak, Delta Junction, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Kasilof, Kenai, JBER, Nightmute, Palmer, Pilot Station, Soldotna, and Wasilla.

Cadets focused on academic excellence, leadership and followership, physical fitness, life coping skills, responsible citizenship, vocational training, and service to the community during their 22-week residential phase at the academy.

They completed more than 3300 hours of service to the community,

51 cadets earned their high school diploma or GED, three cadets received vocational training in culinary arts or supply/logistics, and several cadets earned 7.0 transferable high school credits.

All cadets received guidance on future training opportunities in the trades, and they will take part in the year-long post-residential phase where graduates return home to practice their new skills as productive members of their communities.

Cadets can continue their education, enter the workforce, or join the military during this phase.

This free program is co-sponsored under a cooperative agreement between the National Guard Bureau and the State of Alaska.

The Alaska Military Youth Academy’s mission is to “help intervene in and reclaim the lives of youth and produce program graduates with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults.”

The next Alaska Military Youth Academy class starts Jan. 18, 2023..

For more information, visit dmva.alaska.gov/AMYA.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com