1 Photo provided Wetzel County resident Coleton Yoho graduated from the Mountaineer Challenge Academy on Dec. 13. He is the son of Amanda Hendershot of Reader and Jimmy and Sarah Yoho of New Martinsville. 2 Photo provided Shown here is Coleton Yoho’s Squad 5. He is shown in the third row, far right.

NEW MARTINSVILLE – A Wetzel County youth recently graduated from the Mountaineer Challenge Academy.

Coleton Yoho, son of Amanda Hendershot of Reader and Jimmy and Sarah Yoho of New Martinsville, completed the academy, sponsored by the West Virginia National Guard, along with 90 other graduates from 34 counties across the state.

“Cadet Yoho was recognized for receiving the S2C Award, Health Award as well as obtaining the six Individual Values Recognition Ribbons,” according to the academy.

Yoho was part of Squad 5 in Class 2-24, which is the 63rd class to complete the 22-week program and graduate.

“All graduating cadets have completed the residential phase of Challenge, which includes activities in eight core component areas ranging from service to community to employability skills,” the academy noted. “Cadets in this class provided 4,227.7 hours of service to the community for such organizations as Trout for Cheat, Alzheimer’s Association Walk, Berlington Apple Butter Festival and Operation Christmas Child.”

Now that Yoho and his classmates have graduated they are eligible for placement activities in education, employment or both.

The graduation ceremony took place Dec. 13 at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, W.Va. The commencement address was made by Command Sgt. Maj. James Jones and special remarks were made by United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Ronald Keohane.