Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program Celebrates The Graduation Of 160 Participants (Photo) - 12/10/25

REDMOND, Ore. - The Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (OYCP) held its graduation ceremony for Class 70 on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, for 160 Cadets who completed its 22-week program. The graduation ceremony took place at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. OYCP is an alternative high school operated by the Oregon National Guard, located in Bend, Oregon.

“Today, 160 cadets will walk across the stage thanks to the collaborative effort of the Youth ChalleNGe staff, the Oregon National Guard, the Department of Education, the Oregon Legislature, the Governor's Office, our advisory board, and the Deschutes County community,” said Frank Tallman, Director of the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program. “The growth and transformation you see in the cadets over these past five months is no accident. It’s a direct reflection of their connection, passion, and commitment.”

The program offers at-risk students a second chance to earn credits. It also lets participants re-enter high school, graduate on time with their peers, or graduate from OYCP with a state-accredited high school diploma.

In delivering his welcome message as the guest speaker for the ceremony, Oregon Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Philip R. DeMontigny congratulated them on their accomplishments over the past five months, but also addressed their future.

“Today is not the end. It’s a transition point. It’s an important transition point; nevertheless, academically, each of you followed the pathway in your past, in your own situation, and each situation is unique,” he said, reminding each cadet of the journey that brought them to OYCP. “Whether rebuilding credits, or accomplishing a GED certificate, completing your high school graduation, or following other academic plans…you did the work, you met the requirement, and earned being here today. That's super important, and congratulations to each of you.”

The mission of the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program is to provide opportunities for personal growth, self-improvement, and academic achievement for high school dropouts, teens who are no longer attending school, and those who are academically struggling. This is achieved through a highly structured, non-traditional environment that integrates training, mentoring, and a variety of educational activities.

In 1999, the Oregon National Guard established the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (OYCP) in Bend, Oregon, as an intervention initiative aimed at helping teens who had either dropped out of high school or were at risk of not graduating. The term "at-risk" refers to students who might not complete their high school education. To support these at-risk students, the Department of Defense invested in the OYCP's challenge model, which focuses on youth development and community outreach.

Attendees must be between 15 and 18 years old, be legal residents of the U.S. and Oregon, and be academically behind in high school credits or at risk of not graduating. OYCP can be reached via their website at https://www.oycp.com or by calling 541-317-9623.      

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Released photos:

251210-Z-CH590-1103: Cadet Larson M. Szulc, Student Body President of Class 70 for the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program, delivers opening remarks at the graduation ceremony for Class 70 on Dec. 10, 2025, at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the opportunity to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1111: The Oregon Youth Challenge Program, Graduating Class 70, stands as the Color Guard enters for their graduation ceremony at the Fair & Expo Center, Redmond, Oregon. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, offering at-risk students the opportunity to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1117: A group of Cadets led the singing of the National Anthem for their graduation ceremony for Class 70 for the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program on Dec. 10, 2025, held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond, Oregon. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the chance to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1127: Oregon Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Philip R. DeMontigny delivers the welcoming address as the guest speaker during the Oregon Youth Challenge Program Graduating Class 70 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon, on Dec. 10, 2025. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the chance to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1138: Several Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program cadets are recognized for their outstanding achievements during the graduation ceremony for Class 70 for the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program, held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon, on Dec. 10, 2025. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the chance to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1145: Frank Tallman, Director of the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (left) and Oregon Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Philip R. DeMontigny (right) pauses for a photo with Cadet Jennifer  Gil-Rodriguez as she received her award as the Class Valedictorian during the OYCP Graduation of Class 70 on Dec. 10, 2025, held at the County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the chance to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1146: Frank Tallman, Director of the Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (left) and Oregon Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Philip R. DeMontigny (right) pauses for a photo with Cadet Julissa Espinoza Gonzalez as she received her award for Overall Outstanding Cadet of the Company during the OYCP Graduation of Class 70 on Dec. 10, 2025, held at the County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the chance to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251210-Z-CH590-1335: Cadet Yazlyne Martinez celebrates with her family and friends after the graduation ceremony for the Oregon Youth Challenge Program Class 70 on Dec. 10, 2025, at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. OYCP is the Oregon National Guard's alternative high school in Bend, providing at-risk students the opportunity to graduate from high school or meet other academic requirements and life goals. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

Oregon Guard Welcomes Home Soldiers From Task Force Defender Deployment (Photo) - 11/16/25

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard formally welcomed home Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment during a demobilization ceremony on Nov. 16, 2025, held at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove, Oregon.

The 2-218th mobilized approximately 230 members in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, bearing the designation Task Force Defender, while conducting Short Range Air Defense operations at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in the Middle East countries of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long deployment.

“On behalf of Governor Kotek and the entire Oregon National Guard, it is my honor and privilege to officially say, ‘Welcome Home,’” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard. “During Task Force Defender, you took on one of the most demanding and technically complex missions in modern warfare. Every single day, American forces, coalition partners, and local populations relied on you for their protection.”

The unit's mission was to provide capabilities for countering rockets, artillery, and mortars, as well as combating unmanned aerial systems using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods, all while offering warnings of incoming threats.

Before deploying overseas, the Soldiers underwent specialized training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This training aimed to enhance their skills in operating the equipment and systems essential for their role as primary air defenders, which American and Coalition partners rely on for force protection.

The 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment has a long history of answering the State and Nation’s call for service. In the post 9/11 era, they have deployed to the Middle East to support Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Spartan Shield, and now Task Force Defender.

"Hey team Oregon, it's still us and we will always have your back, whether it's aboard or at home, we're still your home team," said Lt. Col. Stephan Bomar, Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department.

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Released Images:

251116-Z-CH590-1039 and 251116-Z-CH590-1198: Oregon Army National Guard soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment render a hand salute during their formal demobilization ceremony held in their honor on Nov. 16, 2025, at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove, Oregon. Approximately 230 members of the unit deployed to support Operation Inherent Resolve at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long mobilization. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251116-Z-CH590-1062 and 251116-Z-CH590-1092: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, addresses the Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, along with their families, during their formal demobilization ceremony held on Nov. 16, 2025, at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove, Oregon. Approximately 230 members of the unit deployed to support Operation Inherent Resolve at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long mobilization. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251116-Z-CH590-1118: Oregon Army National Guard Col. Paul Dyer, the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander, delivers remarks during the Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, along with their families, during their formal demobilization ceremony held on Nov. 16, 2025, at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove, Oregon. Approximately 230 members of the unit deployed to support Operation Inherent Resolve at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long mobilization. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251116-Z-CH590-1163: Oregon National Guard Col. Paul Dyer, the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander (left), and Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard (right), greets and congratulates members of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment following their formal demobilization ceremony on Nov. 16, 2025, held at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove. Approximately 230 members of the unit deployed to support Operation Inherent Resolve at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long mobilization. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

251116-Z-CH590-1220: Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Manuel Robledo, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment (left), with assistance, uncases the unit colors during the demobilization ceremony held for the unit on Nov. 16, 2025, at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove.  Approximately 230 members of the unit deployed to support Operation Inherent Resolve at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long mobilization. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)