Proven Success

Timothy Spreder is a graduate of the Bluegrass Challenge Academy. After an extremely successful cycle at the BCA, Mr. Spreder decided to enlist in the United States Marines in 2004. After completing Recruit Training at Paris Island, the new Marine was assigned his first duty station. Spreder enjoyed an extremely successful career as a Marine with several duty stations and assignments. In January of 2012, now Sergeant Spreder, was transferred to Marine barracks Washington D.C. Sgt. Spreder was selected as the 35th Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps, a very prestigious honor. Sgt. Spreder would go on to bear the colors for the inauguration of President Barak Obama. Sgt. Spreder has since obtained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. read more... read less

I, Lauren Isaac, Class 10, have a story similar to many other cadets who come to the ACA. I had not been doing that great in school, was running around and, in general, l was doing things that were causing stress within my family. You might say it was a joint decision between my dad and me to come to the academy. Overall, I feel the time I spent at the academy was very helpful. I liked having structure in my life, a factor that I had not experienced before. I was motivated by the idea that if I worked hard, took advantage of the rewards system, that I could reach my goal of getting a high school diploma. I achieved my goal of getting my diploma, an accomplishment I attribute to being at the ACA and being held accountable for my level of success. Because of the high school credits I earned, I graduated a year ahead of my class. I feel that I may not have gotten my high school diploma if I had not had the motivation and structure provided by the academy. The cadre and staff were very encouraging. Shortly after graduating from the ACA, I moved to Louisiana where I live with a friend of my mother's. I got a job at the Stage Department Store, where I still work, and enjoy my job in the cosmetics department. In fact, I am in training to be a manager. Someday, I would like to go to cosmetology school. I admit that there were times I struggled with being at the academy, but I credit the academy for providing me the structure and encouragement I needed to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities available. Now I am able to live independently and support myself and look forward to more success. read more... read less