Maj. Gen. Paul E. Knapp of the National Guard Bureau accepts the 2022 National Education Award at The American Legion 103rd National Convention at the Milwaukee Center in Milwaukee on Aug. 31. Photo by Hilary Ott/The American Legion

National Guard honored for its Youth Challenge Program

The American Legion’s National Education Award was presented to the National Guard Youth Challenge Program “in recognition and appreciation of its impactful commitment to giving the youth of our great nation the opportunity to pursue their education while instilling in them a sense of discipline and patriotism.”

Wisconsin National Guard Bureau Major Gen. Paul E. Knapp accepted the award on stage of the 103rd National Convention in Milwaukee on Aug. 31.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be here today and accept this award on behalf of General (Daniel Robert) Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, and the entire National Guard, particularly those states that host the Youth Challenge Programs,” Knapp said.

Currently, there are 31 states that have a National Guard Youth Challenge Program that helps at-risk youth ages 15 ½ to 18 years-old earn their high school diploma or GED. The National Defense Authorization Act authorized the program in 1993, and since then there have been over 272,000 enrollments and 200,000 graduates.

The Youth Challenge Program is an in-residence program of less than six months that “empowers participants to embrace responsibility, achievement and positive behavior. It instills self-confidence, fosters ambition and increases opportunities through job skills training, service to the community and leadership.”

“It couldn’t be better for these youth,” Knapp said. “It really is one of the programs that I’m most proud of. I’ve been able to participate in the graduations and if you could see the look on these kids’ faces and the pride that they have in graduating and receiving a diploma or a GED and a way forward in life, it really is priceless.”

Knapp shared with convention delegates how they can support the Youth Challenge Program. All graduates of the program receive a mentor for one year to help continue with their success in society. “Help us find mentors,” he said. “As a life member of The American Legion myself, I know that this audience is filled with great Americans and great people. If you’re looking for an additional way to help, be a mentor or helping us find mentors.”

And any time Legionnaires interact with high school youth, “spread word about the program,” Knapp added. “The more we can get the program advertised out there and the more kids we can get into the program, the better we can serve the youth of this country and put us on a continued path to success as a nation.”