WHO/WHAT: Col. (P) James J. Grant, Director, Joint Staff, New Jersey Army and Air National Guard is scheduled to deliver the Commencement address for the New Jersey National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program's 29th class graduation ceremony.

WHEN: Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Timmermann Center, Fort Dix

The 105 cadets, representing communities from across the Garden State, will celebrate their graduation from ChalleNGe Program at Fort Dix.

ChalleNGe provides 16-18 year-old New Jersey residents who did not complete high school a second chance at earning a diploma or qualifying for a GED (Graduate Equivalency Diploma). The program, which is run by the National Guard and is active in 22 states, seeks to identify at-risk teenagers who have dropped out of high school, and gives them the motivation and direction they need to complete their schooling. Applicants must be New Jersey residents between 16-18 years old, drug-free, and not currently involved in the legal system.

Cadets participate in a wide variety of activities to include daily physical training, community service and vocational training. The academic courses emphasize reading, writing, mathematics, computer skills, citizenship and social studies. Cadets who successfully complete the requirements are eligible to receive a State of New Jersey High School Diploma. Following Phase I, the initial 22-week residency phase, cadets are assigned mentors for an additional 12 months to provide continued guidance and direction through a combination of personal visits, e-mails and phone calls.

Media MUST CALL 609-530-6942 by 8:30a.m. Saturday, March 7 to arrange for escort.

The media will use the Fort Dix Visitors Center parking lot as a meeting point at 9:45 a.m. for escort. The Visitors Center is located next to the Route 68 checkpoint.