Centralia, Rochester Teens Graduate From Washington Youth Academy

Two cadets from the Lewis County area have completed a program at Washington Youth Academy. In total, 143 cadets graduated from the academy. 

Guadalupe Mayorga Castanon, of Centralia, and Reyven Aparicio-Ferrer, of Rochester, both graduated in June. 

The school in Bremerton helps at-risk teens from all over the state by bringing them to live on campus for 22 weeks so they can recover missing credits in order to earn a high school diploma. While there, the cadets aso learn job skills and life-coping mechanisms. 

Since they have completed the program, Castanon and Aparicio-Ferrer will return to Centralia High School and Rochester High School, respectfully. 

“Cadets have performed 9,221 hours of service to the community and that is worth over $277,000 in value to the community,” Director Larry Pierce said during commencement. “Cadets learn the intrinsic value of giving back to others without the expectation of anything.”

The mission of the state-run school is to provide a highly disciplined, safe and professional learning environment to empower at risk youth to get an education. 

The academy is now accepting applications for next year at mil.wa.gov/WYA. 

Learn more about the academy from its YouTube channel at youtube.com/channel/UC6wkS7NMl5KYr0EQUQDpudQ.