ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Students from Jimmy Carter, Kennedy, and Wilson Middle Schools celebrated their graduation Thursday from the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program at the New Mexico National Guard’s Job ChalleNGe Academy at Expo New Mexico, marking the culmination of the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program’s third summer serving students across New Mexico.
Students from the three Albuquerque middle schools completed six weeks of academic enrichment, physical fitness, leadership development and hands-on learning experiences designed to combat summer learning loss while preparing them for success both inside and outside the classroom.
Throughout the summer, students participated in daily reading and math intervention, resiliency training, leadership development and physical fitness challenges designed to strengthen both academic skills and character.
Adventure-based field trips encouraged students to step beyond their comfort zones as they rappelled the 50-foot tower at the New Mexico National Guard’s Santa Fe Complex, learned to ride bicycles while navigating trails alongside National Guard mentors, tackled indoor rock climbing challenges and tested themselves on high-energy ninja obstacle courses.…