A year ago, Sebastian Stoll wasn’t good at making friends in school, and he used to be afraid of his stepmom.

“Anytime she got angry or barked at me, I would back away and run to my room,” Stoll said.

Not anymore. This month, Stoll graduated from the Montana Youth Challenge Academy in Dillon, and he credits the Montana National Guard-sponsored program with giving him confidence and the knowledge that he can succeed.

Now, he takes criticism from Michele Stoll in stride, and he isn’t afraid of reaching out to his peers.

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