FROM STAFF REPORTS

Jeffrey Simmons of Montevallo was among 37 cadets who graduated from the second class of the Alabama National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy this December.

Simmons earned his GED while attending the course, along with a Career Readiness Certificate and Service to the Community Award.

The academy is a co-educational “quasi-military” training and mentoring program for at-risk youth. Its second class began with 94 cadets July 23, 2007.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Fort McClellan Alabama National Guard Training Center.

The overall goal of Youth Challenge is to produce a graduate with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as an adult