Alaska Military Youth Academy is the TOP 5 Military Academy in the United States (out of 27 states that have ChalleNge programs)! This academy has graduated young teenagers since their first class of 1994.

In 1991, Lt. Gen Conway (Chief, National Guard Bureau) presented "Vision 2020" Which incorporated and formalized a third community role, or mission for the National Guard, to be active participants in domestic concerns through local, regional and nationwide initiatives and programs. The National Guard bureau developed the specific model in use at AMYA and deigned it to be an intervention, rather than a remedial program. The program deals with the symptoms of underlying causes in a construct that embraces a "whole person" using our life skills curriculum of 8 core components to give the cadets tools, skills and experience that will help them be successful.

With this Vision that has been created, the AMYA graduates on average 144 cadets each season (winter and summer class). These cadets can say they have graduated an walked away with knowledge of the 8 core components taught by the staff of AMYA (by the way... there are on average 70-80 staff members that enjoy their career by making a change in individuals lives) such as Academic Excellence, Physical fitness, Job skills (Vo-Tech & Safety), Service to the Community, Health and Hygiene, Responsible citizenship, leadership/followership, & Life coping skills. Each class goes through a residential phase of 5 1/2 months of pure hardcore training and academics. After graduation is a 12 month phase of staying in contact with their advisor/mentor.

I wanted to start this petition because I am a graduate of 2008-1. My life had turned around from drugs and the wrong people I had surrounded myself with. I can easily say that if it weren't for the staff of AMYA and the support from my family, I would have over dosed on drugs, and left behind children I possibly would've had. I want to say that there are still young teenagers in Alaska that need the support and guidance from AMYA! This academy has a major impact on so many people's lives and definitely shows to the public that there are better options out there in life to make something of yourself. If AMYA shuts down, who will our community become?

SO LETS STAND TOGETHER AND SAY "SAVE AMYA!"