I attended the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy at the age of 16, and graduated with Class 23. The Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy gave me the leadership and academic skills I credit most of my current successes with. ChalleNGe taught me how to lead, and how to push myself in everything I do. Before ChalleNGe, my grades were terrible. Now I have a strong work ethic and a strong desire to succeed.

After graduating from the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy, I returned to high school and earned a place on the honor roll. After graduating from high school, I enlisted the Army National Guard as a 12 Bravo, Combat Engineer. I graduated basic training and AIT as an honor graduate for exceptionally high PT scores. I am now a full-time student at Northern Michigan University studying to obtain a degree in Business Management. In addition, I recently received a Congressional nomination for West Point Military Academy by Congressman Dan Benishek.

I feel that I can relate and connect to some of the youth who may be on the fence about whether or not they want to apply to a Youth ChalleNGe Program or not. The life, leadership and work skills I learned from the ChalleNGe program have helped me tremendously. I want others to know what ChalleNGe can do for them.

-Timothy Ketchum
Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Program graduate