Olivia Bennett went from "no, I can'tGÇ¥ to "pretty awesome.GÇ¥ And that's why the Graham-area teenager is part of the largest graduating class in the young history of the Washington Youth Academy. Bennett, accomplishing something she admits once might have eluded her, was among the record 152 cadets from virtually every corner of Washington who graduated during a commencement ceremony Dec. 19 from the free-tuition residential school. The National Guard-affiliated program teaches teenagers discipline while helping them recover credits so they can return to high school and finish earning a diploma or GED or become a Running Start. Director Larry Pierce said the application and interview process for the academy finds strong candidates for the voluntary program. They process includes a two-week acclimation period to decide if the strict discipline is for them. "The cadets became teammates and they changed together and prevailed together and they're here today and as proof of that, they'll walk across the stage and commence from the youth academy back to their home lives,GÇ¥ Pierce said to the audience at the academy's 14th commencement. Bennett, who attends Graham-Kapowsin High School, said she experienced a major attitude change from her pre-academy days. "Back at home, I wasn't really the most confident person,GÇ¥ she said. "Here, they pushed me to be my best. I used to shy away from things and say "No, I can't.' But you can. There's no limit to your success. You can do as much as you wish you could do.GÇ¥ Bennett said she learned leadership skills and gained confidence. Her friends noticed. They posted congratulatory messages on Facebook that included phrases such as "so proud,GÇ¥ "great jobGÇ¥ and "this is pretty awesome.GÇ¥ The goal of the academy, which was launched in 2009 as a division of the National Guard's youth program, is to bolster teens who are struggling to complete high school. They can improve their educations and employment potential and become productive citizens, a spokesman said. The next academy class started Jan. 16 and will be followed by another one in July. Applications and information are available at http://mil.wa.gov/youth-academy. Students can earn eight high school credits during the 22-week sessions. Comparatively, a full year of high school is six credits. In Bennett's academy class, 133 students earned all the maximum eight credits. Pre-academy, they were learning at a seventh-grade level; at the end, they were at ninth-grade level and averaging a 3.4 grade point average, according to academy officials. In addition to hitting the books, the cadets went through the Community Emergency Response Training, which they can use in their communities during disasters. They also donated a combined 7,992 hours of community service to the Bremerton area. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the featured speaker at the latest academy commencement ceremony, challenged the students to "take the lessons you've learned here and apply them back in your community. Take the leadership skills you've learned and be a positive influence in the lives of your friends, your family, your school and your community.GÇ¥
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