STARKE, Fla. — Alumni, former staff members and supporters of the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy gathered outside Camp Blanding on Sunday, urging state leaders to save a program they say transformed the lives of struggling teens across Florida.
The rally comes as the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy, also known as FLYCA, prepares to close after nearly 25 years. The program, operated by the Florida National Guard, has helped teens in non-traditional school settings by providing structure, discipline, education and life-skills training.
Based at Camp Blanding in Starke, FLYCA allows students to earn high school diplomas while preparing for careers, military service or higher education…