A Sumner teen was among the record 152 cadets, who graduated from the Washington Youth Academy on Dec. 19 – more cadets than any previous class in the history of the Academy, established in Bremerton in 2009.

Paris Gregg of Sumner High School joined cadets from each corner of the state to attend the free residential school, geared at teaching teens discipline and helping them recover credits so they can go back to high school and earn a diploma or seek an alternative path to finish their high school education, such as a GED or by joining Running Start.

The mission of the Washington Youth Academy is to provide a highly disciplined, safe and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational levels and employment potential and become responsible and productive citizens of the State of Washington. The Washington Youth Academy is a division of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Established under authority of both federal and state law, the WYA is a state-run residential and post-residential intervention program for youth who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out.

The next class starts on Jan. 16, 2016. Applications are still being accepted for female candidates. Applications for male candidates will likely be wait listed until the cycle after that starts in July. Learn more about the program online http://mil.wa.gov/youth-academyand watch a four-part documentary on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6wkS7NMl5KYr0EQUQDpudQ/videos ).