Cadets of the Discovery ChalleNGe Academy are looking forward to Saturday’s military “pass-in-review” ceremony at Dell’Osso Family Farms in Lathrop.

This will be the first time in 10 weeks that the at-risk youths – high school boys and girls from throughout Northern California, between the ages of 16 through 18, and have dropped out of school or deficient in credits necessary for graduation – will see family members for the first time since reporting to Sharpe Army Depot in July.

Thus far, they’ve completed ten weeks of the 22-week residential program, consisting of regular 5 a.m. wake-up calls followed by a full class schedule and intense physical training.

The local academy is one of three National Guard Youth ChalleNGe programs in the state and the first in Northern California, according to the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

The Lathrop-based school at the Sharpe Army Depot is a partnership between SJCOE and the California National Guard – SJCOE’s County Operated Schools and Program provides the educational component at Discovery.

The formal ceremony at Dell’Osso farms, 501 S. Manthey Rd., will start at 10 a.m. (cadets will arrive an hour earlier).

Cadets will have time to spend with their family following ceremony before returning to complete the voluntary program.

This is the fourth class of cadets at the academy.

Part of the academy, following the residential, is the 12-month post-residential phase.

Cadets have been going through the regimented military structure while participating in team-building activities, practicing healthy choices, and participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

They’re also receiving support from those around them in an effort to help turn their lives around, said SJCOE.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.