The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) began its 32nd Class on January 18th, 2015 with 153 candidates who had passed a rigorous initial screening process. After they completed two demanding weeks of orientation and adaptation to the program and its methods, hundreds of family members watched as the transition from candidate to cadet was finalized at the MYCA Acclimation Phase Completion Ceremony February 1st, 2015. This event provided parents with their first look at their child since Class 32 began.
Acclimation Phase consists of the toughest and most demanding two weeks in the program. Candidates awaken at 5:00 AM to begin a long day of activities including running, marching, classroom instruction, team building, and much more. Teaching candidates to notice small details is the main focus behind all training in Acclimation Phase. “If we can get them to notice very small things without effort, they will easily identify the large things that can cause big problems,” said 1st Sergeant Lyle Forcia, the leader of the quasi-military element of the MYCA program.
As the days of Acclimation Phase wore on, the cold, hard work, and long days drove several applicants to quit. Most were coached back into the program, but, ultimately, some refused to push themselves and subsequently dropped out of the MYCA. “We do everything within our power to convince them to stay, but are not always successful,” remarked Jimmie Jones, the program’s recruiting coordinator. “We know things will often be worse for them if they quit than if they never attended.” “It is an honor to be selected for the MYCA, so it is devastating to the whole family when they choose to quit,” added Jones.
The bulk of Acclimation Phase is spent at the Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC), where the facilities and equipment needed for acclimation activities are easily accessible to program staff. On Wednesday, January 28th, the company (all students) packed up and made the long march over to the MYCA residential facility, located on the grounds of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. In the five months they remain at MYCA, Class 32 will be immersed in classroom instruction and personal development activities while receiving training in life-skills and employability. They will learn self-respect, respect for others, self-discipline, integrity, and the value of becoming a self-sufficient and law-abiding citizen.
At the Acclimation Phase Completion Ceremony, there was not a dry eye in the house as each parent watched their child – who they dropped off only 14 days ago as a young person without direction, respect, or motivation – achieve the status of cadet. One by one the candidates completed the right of passage by rising, turning to face their families, and emphatically stating their name and hometown. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, and mentors struggled to believe the drastic changes their teen had made in two short weeks.
A great deal of work remains for Class 32 in the final five months of the program. Each must pass through a difficult series of levels that are similar to ranks in the military. They must make real decisions which will affect their lives in both the short and long term. Will they return to high school and work toward a diploma, or will they attempt to earn a GED at the MYCA? Is college in their immediate future, or will they enter a trade school? Many important decisions will be made prior to the graduation of Class 32 in June, but none are more important than their educational choices.
Being a school, the MYCA emphasizes the value of education above all other things. However, it provides a “whole child” approach to enhancing the future of each cadet in the company. Respect, commitment, self-respect, and teamwork provide the foundation upon which all cadets build their new lives. Naturally, recreating one’s self when they are between 16 and 18 years old is very difficult and things will not get any easier at the MYCA.
Only time will tell which cadets graduate with 4 high school credits, 21 college credits from Kellogg Community College, a vocational trade certificate, college scholarships, and countless new tools for success. Is earning these things worth the hard work? The cadets will answer that in the coming months.
The 5.5 months which make up the residential portion are not the only challenging aspects of the MYCA; the application process is demanding as well. Once an interested party makes contact with Mr. Jones or Mr. Drake, who recruit for the Challenge, they formally begin the process by visiting www.miycp.org. There, they will complete and submit the “online pre-application.” Once this is accomplished, they will print the application in its entirety and begin completing it. The application is 16 pages in length, which does not include the mentor application(s). The next step is choosing an Enrollment Orientation date from the website and sending an RSVP for it. Applicants who are not able to finish the application prior to their chosen Enrollment Orientation date will continue the process afterward until it is complete. No applicant will be considered until the MYCA receives a complete application. That being said, a complete application only serves to make applicants eligible for selection. The MYCA stringently reserves the right to make all final decisions regarding which applicants are invited based upon its own selection criteria.
The enrollment process is one of intense competition. The MYCA costs nothing to attend, which increases demand considerably. Many who apply will not be selected. The MYCA is in extremely high demand and its capacities are limited by available space. “We have room for only so many students,” said Jimmie Jones, who is responsible for PR and media. “That is why we put so much emphasis on selecting the right applicants.” “We are obligated by the taxpayers to take only the very best qualified and motivated applicants who will become productive community members,” added Jones.
Enrollment Orientations begin on March 18th in Battle Creek at MYCA’s base of operations. They subsequently extend into Taylor, Grayling, Lansing, Bay City, and beyond. The website plays host to new and existing Enrollment Orientation dates. Interested parties should attend an orientation as soon as possible if they are serious about earning a seat in Class 33, which begins in July 2015. For more information, contact Mr. Jones at 989-205-7352, or by email at jonesj18@michigan.gov Visit the MYCA Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/myca.mich if you want to follow Class 32 on its journey.
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