Texas ‘ChalleNGe’ Academy Holds Family Day

On a gorgeous southcentral Texas day, with warm weather and blankets of blooming bluebonnets, American Legion Riders, veterans, and supporters from all over the state converged on the tiny town of Nada to support atrisk youth, and the veteran’s organization that helps them.

Troubled teens aren’t usually “all bad” and any parent who has raised a teenager will tell you that. There are moments during those teen years that define us, shape us, and show us what we are capable of becoming. Some troubled teens have recognized that they have a choice when it comes to their story and are looking for a second chance – a do-over.

This is where the Texas ChalleNGe Academy in Eagle Lake steps in and steps up. The Texas ChalleNGe Academy (TCA), sponsored by the Texas National Guard, is a volunteer program for 16- to 18-year-old teens that are at-risk of dropping out or have already dropped out of high school. Over 5,000 students drop out of high school each day in our country, and TCA offers at-risk students a second chance at success to students by partnering with the Rice Consolidated Independent School District. Struggling teenagers from all over Texas apply to this academy to potentially earn school credit recovery, obtain their G.E.D, or earn their high school diploma. Cadets reside in a quasi-military style training environment during the 5½ month residential phase, which is followed by a 12-month post-residential phase.

On March 25, the Texas ChalleNGe Academy held a family day for Cadets who joined the January 2023 class. This day is very special, because it is the first time that these families have seen their teen since they entered the program in January. Before the event, the American Legion Riders of Benbrook contacted the Schulenburg and Sealy American Legion Posts, who joined them along a route on the way to the Nada Community Center where Family Day was taking place. They dubbed this trip the “ALR ChalleNGe Ride.” Upon arrival, the motorcycles led cadets in a parade march to the community center where their families were anxiously waiting to greet them. It was a fun filled afternoon full of touching reunions, proud parents, and smiles all around. The American Legion Family from Sealy brought a barbecue trailer, and served the faculty, staff, and administration of TCA. Legion members from all posts mingled with cadets to encourage them and support them in completing the program at TCA. Four hours of food and fun later, the American Legion Riders from all three posts said a cheerful, but tear-stained farewell to the cadets, their special rider supporter, and fellow veterans. Then they got back on their motorcycles and led the TCA buses back to their school in Eagle Lake with a loud and rumbling motorcade straight through the middle of town.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can support veterans, veteran organizations, and volunteer to help your community please visit the American Legion Hall closest to you or stop by and check us out at legion.org. The American Legion Riders of Benbrook are looking forward to repeating this ride yearly, so if you are interested in joining next year you can contact legionriderspost297@ gmail.com and be added to an email list that will provide updates on the 2024 ride.

If you know an at-risk youth or you are interested in learning more about the mission of the Texas ChalleNGe Academy, or how it helps Texas teens get back on track then tmd.texas.gov/texaschallenge- academy should help answer many of your questions.