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Feedback from Cadet Graduates
Its hard and tiring but you won’t regret a minute…
I would like to just take a second and tell class of 17-2 that you guys got this. No matter how hard it gets stay the course. Push through it… Read more “Its hard and tiring but you won’t regret a minute…”
Without the academy I probably wouldn’t be alive today.
The challenge changed me and made me realize what respect really is. To myself and others. Without the academy I probably wouldn’t be alive today. So with that being said… Read more “Without the academy I probably wouldn’t be alive today.”
Thank you IDYCA for changing and forming me…
Within three days I have already got a job opportunity to be a flagger for traffic! I will have to take a 2 week long class but it will be… Read more “Thank you IDYCA for changing and forming me…”
I couldn’t ask for better role models.
Six months ago today i made the biggest decision of my life. I chose to come to the IDYCA where my cadre changed my life forever. They showed me how… Read more “I couldn’t ask for better role models.”
“Take The Hard Right Over The Easy Wrong”
…My time at the academy was some of the best times in my life, it was the first time I had been away from home but I knew I had… Read more ““Take The Hard Right Over The Easy Wrong””
None of this would’ve happened without you…
Honestly none of this wouldve happened without you and the staff at IDYCA. I have had some bumps in the road but like you guys said thats normal. I want… Read more “None of this would’ve happened without you…”
The program helped me…realize how much potential I have to be successful.
Everything started for me after completing the IDYCA program. I was a troubled teen in the same situation a lot of cadets might be now. The program helped me in… Read more “The program helped me…realize how much potential I have to be successful.”
Thank you for giving me the chance to change my life.
One year ago on this exact date July 17 I decided it was time to change my life. I remember the day I got there I wanted to chicken out… Read more “Thank you for giving me the chance to change my life.”
Would go again if I could!
Absolutely love this program man. The skills you learn here are amazing. Definitely would go again if I could!
…special thanks to the TSgts that were the everyday teachers…
I thank you all very much for breaking me down and making me into the strong minded physically fit man I am today, a special thanks to the Tsgts that… Read more “…special thanks to the TSgts that were the everyday teachers…”
…it was the best decision I have ever made…
(To Future Cadets) Welcome to the best decision you have ever made. If you let it, this academy will truly turn your life around. Scary isn’t it? Don’t worry, the… Read more “…it was the best decision I have ever made…”
If I could come back, I would in a heart beat!
To ALL the Staff, Man it feels good to write letters again! HA! I hope everyone is doing well! I sure do miss the Academy! If I could come back,… Read more “If I could come back, I would in a heart beat!”
…I now have the confidence to shoot for the stars.
If I had only one word to describe what the academy has done for me, I would say “opportunity.” I originally came to the academy to make up missing credits,… Read more “…I now have the confidence to shoot for the stars.”
…you really did make a huge difference in my life.
I just want to say thank you to the academy and all the staff and cadre you really did make a huge difference in my life. I would never have… Read more “…you really did make a huge difference in my life.”
It….turned me into a whole different person.
In response to the staff question: How would you say that IDYCA has impacted your life? “It’s had the most positive and the most powerful impact in my life. I… Read more “It….turned me into a whole different person.”
…tough love is what we all need in life sometimes
Thanks to my confidence and work ethic I gained at IDYCA, I really was able to jump start my life in a big way. I moved out a week after… Read more “…tough love is what we all need in life sometimes”
…anybody is fully capable of doing it as well.
Before I came to the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy, I was getting into a whole lot of trouble with the police… While, I was at the academy I decided that… Read more “…anybody is fully capable of doing it as well.”
…I highly recommend it.
I’m a member of the first graduating class, all i can say is thank you to everyone who is involved with this program. If you are browsing the page and… Read more “…I highly recommend it.”
…You guys believed in me and gave me my second chance….
…And now I’ll get to the real reason for this letter. It’s simple. I need to thank you guys so much, as you know I wasn’t the best kid before… Read more “…You guys believed in me and gave me my second chance….”
…thank you for giving me this amazing experience.
I just wanted too say thank you for giving me this amazing experience. I wanna wish everyone a very happy Christmas, and wanna say good luck too next class thank… Read more “…thank you for giving me this amazing experience.”
You guys are the best thing that ever happened to me…
Because of you guyes at the IDYCA my life is much better. I appreciate what you guyes do for cadets every day. They may not realize it at this point… Read more “You guys are the best thing that ever happened to me…”
The biggest personal achievement for me at the academy was confidence.
As we get closer to graduating and my time with IDYCA is over I want to say thank you. Thank you for making me miserable but pointing out how much… Read more “The biggest personal achievement for me at the academy was confidence.”
…The academy saved my life….
It took me nearly a year graduated from the class of 18-1 to really get back on my feet on a path that I felt right. It was hard along… Read more “…The academy saved my life….”
IDYCA changed my LIFE!
IDYCA changed my LIFE! I haven’t been in trouble since I graduated and I brought my GPA from a 1.2 to a 3.9 in 5.5 months. I wish all adolescents… Read more “IDYCA changed my LIFE!”
…I really needed it!
Can’t thank all of these people enough! I went to the IDYCA for a few reasons but now after I completed it I can most definitely say I really needed… Read more “…I really needed it!”
I will never forget.
one year ago today was my 1st day at the IDYCA and I really didn’t want to go. I was doing everything to get out of it. I’m glad that… Read more “I will never forget.”
I knew then I could something big with my life.
Since I been with you guys, and finished as a Staff Sergeant, I knew then I could something big with my life. I gotta wanna push forward like Master Sergeant… Read more “I knew then I could something big with my life.”
My mentor has been a great help…
…I enrolled back in school, and I’m on track with graduating with my class. I’ve put job applications in to find a job, of course it’s a very slow process.… Read more “My mentor has been a great help…”
All because you pushed me to maintain excellence.
This program has changed my life for the better. I find myself being more respectful, doing things the first time I’m told, and I try my hardest now in everything… Read more “All because you pushed me to maintain excellence.”
…never had the mindset that I could actually do it.
Thanks to Dr. Goddard and having my food safety certificate I am in the kitchen making pizzas all day. Its a good job though and grandma is helping me find… Read more “…never had the mindset that I could actually do it.”
…thank all of you for not giving up on me…
I wanted to write you this letter to tell you “THANK YOU.” Without this program I don’t know where I would be in life. With all the hard times and… Read more “…thank all of you for not giving up on me…”
You all really changed my life for the better.
…I would just like to say that my favorite memories in Idaho came from the idyca. Not because it was fun, because there was times it wasn’t, not because it… Read more “You all really changed my life for the better.”
…Thank you for guiding me on the journey that brought me to where I am today.
I remember stepping on the tarmac for the first time. I was nervous about leaving my family, but I wasn’t too worried. After all, I only planned for two weeks.… Read more “…Thank you for guiding me on the journey that brought me to where I am today.”
…that place is home.
I will never forget how the academy changed my life for the better. They helped in so many ways and got me healthy and on track… Although i hated it… Read more “…that place is home.”
Nor have you ever let me say, “I can’t.”
All IDYCA Staff have motivated me to continue moving forward. Not once have any of you guys ever given up on me. Nor have you ever let me say, “I… Read more “Nor have you ever let me say, “I can’t.””
Giving up is not a option here, success is.
(Addressed to future Cadets) I’ve been told some of you cadets don’t believe you’re going to pass English. I thought the same going into Mrs. Therien class, not knowing how… Read more “Giving up is not a option here, success is.”
I’m clean, I’m healthy, an I’m happy.
This was January 20, 2015. Also the day that my life changed for the better. This picture was taken about an hour after I had said goodbye to my parents.… Read more “I’m clean, I’m healthy, an I’m happy.”
The caring staff/cadre gave me the second chance I needed at life…
In December it’ll be 2 years since I got my HS diploma. 2 years since I left my second home. 2 years and I’m still going back to visit!!!! I… Read more “The caring staff/cadre gave me the second chance I needed at life…”
I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for all of you.
I would like to personally thank each and every single one of you (staff members and cadre). It was a blessing and an honor to be one of the graduating… Read more “I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for all of you.”
You made my life new!
Some days I wake up wishing I was at the academy. I miss it a lot. And all the wonderful people. Even the.ones I disrespected and.I feel bad I’m sorry… Read more “You made my life new!”
Feedback from Parents/Guardians
Thank you again for all the IDYCA does to help our teens.
Wanted to pass along another successful IDYCA graduate who has enlisted in the ARMY and was sworn in this morning. Luke will be pursuing a career as a Combat Medic… Read more “Thank you again for all the IDYCA does to help our teens.”
WHO IS THIS KID???
Excited/proud momma moment I have to share: 
The most incredible thing I’ve ever read was waiting in my mail box when we returned home from vacation. A letter from our scout… Read more “WHO IS THIS KID???”
Feedback from Supporters
You guys truly change lives.
Canyon Springs High School (sister school of Idaho youth challenge academy) is sending a Thank You picture to you and your staff! Canyon Springs celebrates our students success at Idaho… Read more “You guys truly change lives.”
…your sacrificial time, energy, love and genuine caring.
Thank you sooo much for all you do. God is at work through you and helping so many young people through your sacrificial time, energy, love and genuine caring. Merry… Read more “…your sacrificial time, energy, love and genuine caring.”