Sunburst graduates 32nd class
Youth Challenge Academy awards high school diplomas during program commencement
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman
Sunburst Youth Academy Outreach, Admissions & Recruiting Office
Jan. 2, 2024
LA MIRADA, Calif. – Sunburst Youth Academy awarded 20 high school diplomas and 156 certificates of program completion to Southern California teens during a commencement ceremony for its 32nd class, Dec. 13, 2023, at the La Mirada Theatre of Performing Arts.
The event marked the end of a voluntary five month journey of self discovery and academic achievement as the teens became cadets who lived and went to school together on Joint Forces Training Base in nearby Los Alamitos.
"It wasn't as easy as it looks," U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Peter Gutierrez, academy commandant, told the cadets and crowd of nearly 2,000 people. "You have maintained your discipline to stay the course."
Gutierrez spoke of the cadets' teamwork and resiliency since arriving to the academy campus in July. He commended their fitness levels and cited a host of extracurricular activities cadets competed to participate in, including a 10-mile run along the coast in Huntington Beach.
He also touted the cadets' combined 6,120 hours of service rendered to communities and organizations around the base.
"All these experiences have helped shape the betterment of you and your overall character," Gutierrez said.
The cadets were lauded by other speakers as well. California State Senator Bob Archuleta, California State Guard Brig. Gen. Peter Cross, commander of Cal Guard's Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate, and Sunburst Youth Academy Principal Dinah Ismail each touted the cadets' choice to attend and complete an arduous 24/7 program.
Cadet Carlysia Martinez, who finished as Class 32's top scholar and earned her high school diploma, said she came for the credits but learned much more during her time at the academy.
She came to the academy after struggling with family dynamics and becoming a semester behind in school.
"I was nowhere close to graduating and realized that I needed to do something about it," she said.
In five months, she was able to get back on track, earn a year's worth of high school credits in half the time, and graduate.
"Sunburst has helped me find confidence within myself by encouraging me to hold my head up high and be proud of the things that I do," Martinez told the audience.
She credited the academy's military cadre and civilian teachers from the Orange County Department of Education for showing her what a healthy support system looked like and for helping her become comfortable in her own skin.
"I was able to find my voice," Martinez said. "I was never one to participate in class or raise my hand due to my fear of being wrong," she said. "But now I know it doesn't matter because my voice matters as much as anybody else's"
With her diploma in hand, Martinez said she plans to join the U.S Air Force and work in mental health before pursuing a degree in psychology.
Sunburst is a tuition-free residential alternative high school focused on credit recovery and leadership skills for Southern California teens, ages 15.5 to 18. It is one of three National Guard Youth Challenge Academies operated in partnership between the California National Guard's Task Force Torch youth and local school districts in California. There are 39 Challenge academies nationwide.
Sunburst cadre, staff and teachers are preparing for their next class which begins mid-January.
Sunburst Youth Academy Class 32 graduate David Chocoj Xajil, center, raises his fist in the air after receiving his high school diploma as classmate Carlysia Martinez, right, smiles and laughs during the academy’s commencement ceremony, Dec. 13, 2023, at the La Mirada Theatre of Performing Arts in La Mirada, California. 156 Southern California teens completed the academy’s 22-week residential program and earned up to a year’s worth of high school credits in half the time. Twenty students also received their high school diploma or HiSET equivalency diploma.
Sunburst Youth Academy Class 32 graduate David Chocoj Xajil, center, raises his fist in the air after receiving his high school diploma as classmate Carlysia Martinez, right, smiles and laughs during the academy’s commencement ceremony, Dec. 13, 2023, at the La Mirada Theatre of Performing Arts in La Mirada, California. 156 Southern California teens completed the academy’s 22-week residential program and earned up to a year’s worth of high school credits in half the time. Twenty students also received their high school diploma or HiSET equivalency diploma.
A crowd of nearly 2,000 people cheer for cadets in Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 32 during their commencement ceremony, Dec. 13, 2023, at the La Mirada Theatre of Performing Arts in La Mirada, California.
A crowd of nearly 2,000 people cheer for cadets in Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 32 during their commencement ceremony, Dec. 13, 2023, at the La Mirada Theatre of Performing Arts in La Mirada, California.
“Sunburst has helped me find confidence within myself by encouraging me to hold my head up high and be proud of the things that I do.”
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Peter Gutierrez, left, commandant of Sunburst Youth Academy, shakes hands with Cadet Steven Navarro, right, as Navarro receives his certificate of program completion.
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Peter Gutierrez, left, commandant of Sunburst Youth Academy, shakes hands with Cadet Steven Navarro, right, as Navarro receives his certificate of program completion.
California State Guard Brig. Gen. Peter Cross, right, commander of California Military Department’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate, congratulates high school graduate Juan Treto Ochoa during the Sunburst Youth Academy commencement ceremony.
California State Guard Brig. Gen. Peter Cross, right, commander of California Military Department’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate, congratulates high school graduate Juan Treto Ochoa during the Sunburst Youth Academy commencement ceremony.
Sunburst Youth Academy Cadet Izabella Stark hugs two classmates after the academy’s graduation ceremony. The trio lived together and went to school together for five months during the academy.
Sunburst Youth Academy Cadet Izabella Stark hugs two classmates after the academy’s graduation ceremony. The trio lived together and went to school together for five months during the academy.
Built with Shorthand