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Chris Stout, the Deputy Director of Thunderbird Challenge Program kicked off the graduation ceremony for TCP Class 47. The Invocation was delivered by a good friend and supporter of the Thunderbird Challenge Program – Pastor Derek Melton. Presiding over the ceremony was the Director of Youth Programs for the Oklahoma Military Dept Carl Franks, Director of Thunderbird Youth Academy John Altebaumer. Representing the Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard, Chief of the Joint Staff for the Oklahoma National Guard Colonel John Harrison. Representing Congressman Mark Wayne Mullin, his Chief of Staff and our Guest Speaker Mr. Mike Stopp. From start to finish, the TCP staff dedicated in 22 weeks, over 120,000 hours in the development of the young men and women of class 47 demonstrating the commitment of the staff in the development of the graduates.

Cadet Cloke as top graduate was selected to give the commencement address of class 47. The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution once again funded a scholarship in the amount of $200 to Cadet Cloke. The Thunderbird Challenge Program Foundation; a non profit foundation set up to support cadet activities and fund scholarships for TYA cadets, designated four scholarship awards for class 47. The Thunderbird Challenge Program Foundation Scholarship award winners in the amount of $500 each are Cadet’s Nguyen(Win) , Young, Pugh, Cloke. Rogers State University awarded an academic scholarship in the amount of $1000 to one of our cadets this cycle to Cadet Cloke.

The candidates for the Distinguished Academic Graduate must be at the top of the class in academic performance. This cadet achieved 95 on the ASVAB, scored a 26 on the ACT, scored the highest level attainable of 12.9 on the TABE, received a Gold status on the WorkKeys Assessment, Received his certified production technician certification from OSUIT and Obtained his GED with honors, In recognition of outstanding academic achievement, the Distinguished Academic Graduate for Class 47 is – Cadet Cloke

In recognition of their outstanding performance, dedication to duty, and diligence in personal leadership development and growth the Commandant’s Award for Distinguished Leadership Excellence for Class 47 goes went to Cadet Young. One individual was singled out as this class’ best example of what was meant by leadership. The Director’s Distinguished Cadet Leader award went to Cadet Nicks. The Distinguished Honor Graduate was Cadet Jackson.

High School Diplomas were earned by cadets Hallaway, Jackson, Jones, Pugh and Roberts. Dr. Patricia Cook of Epic Charter School awarded to diplomas to the cadets during the graduation. With the diligent efforts and tutelage of their instructor, Mr. Dorsch, 9 cadets of class 47 earned their GED, cadets Ballard, Kieth, Millford, Cloke, Ernst, Farrara, Gregory, Hensley,and Young.

Thunderbird Youth Academy is a difficult program to complete and Cadets must make a commitment to themselves and the Program. From Guymon to Idabel and Quapaw to Altus the young people came to TYA from cities and towns all across Oklahoma. During the class their contributions to Oklahoma, in the form of service to the community equals 6471 hours, or an average of 65 hours per cadet saving non-profit organizations and the state of Oklahoma over $140,000 in volunteer wages.

We would like to congratulate TYA class 47 on their outstanding achievement and dedication.