In an ongoing series, CBS News has followed the current class of Sunburst Youth Academy students since they arrived in July

Sgt. Rochelle Sonza is one of the guidance counselors at Sunburst Youth Academy, a quasi-military high school run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track. In an ongoing series, CBS News has followed the current class of Sunburst students since they arrived in July. Sgt. Sonza underlined the challenges students face by telling the story of a recent graduate who was killed by a gang.

• Dec 3, 2014

As cadets prepare to see their families for the first time since they joined the program, they sing about the joys of home

As cadets prepare to see their families for the first time since they joined the program, they sing about the joys of home.

• Oct 27, 2014

Staff Sgt. Timothy Edwards leads his "Panthers" platoon in a chant at Sunburst Youth Academy, a quasi-military high school run by the National Guard. CBS News has followed the current class of Sunburst students since they arrived in July.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Edwards leads his "Panthers" platoon in a chant at Sunburst Youth Academy, a quasi-military high school run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track.

• Oct 2, 2014

Challenge Academy graduates thrive in their new lives

Michelle Miller checks in on the cadets from the National Guard's Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy, one year after they graduated

• Dec 31, 2015

Fresh start for young grads of National Guard boot camp

CBS News attends graduation ceremony of troubled teens who turned things around

• Dec 22, 2014

Troubled teens' transformation moves parents to tears

Months of hard work at the Youth Challenge Academy have paid off in a way few would have imagined possible

• Dec 15, 2014

Sergeants' tough love helps to reform troubled teens

Where everyone else sees failure, these sergeants see hidden potential in teens sent to National Guard boot camp

• Dec 2, 2014

For troubled teens in National Guard camp, a visit home may be toughest challenge yet

After weeks of rigorous training, the cadets return home for a brief break but not all make it back to camp

• Dec 1, 2014

Tears and hugs for once-troubled teens at National Guard camp

A quasi-military camp run by the National Guard tries to get high school dropouts back on track; CBS News was there when cadets and families were reunited

• Oct 27, 2014

A leap of faith: From high school dropouts to cadets

CBS News follows high school dropouts trying to turn their lives around at a quasi-military program run by the National Guard

• Oct 13, 2014

National Guard program puts dropouts on a new track

CBS News follows high school dropouts trying to turn their lives around at a quasi-military program run by the National Guard

• Oct 6, 2014

A second chance for high school dropouts

CBS News follows high school dropouts trying to turn their lives around at a quasi-military high school run by the National Guard

• Oct 6, 2014
• 14 photos

At National Guard program, a last second chance

CBS News follows high school dropouts trying to turn their lives around at a quasi-military high school run by the National Guard

• Sep 30, 2014

"I didn't come here for my mom or dad"

Angel Kay LeMaster is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"It's helping me become a better person"

Marissa Stowe is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"I just want to learn how to cope with my hatred"

Crista Hopkins is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"That is not who I am anymore"

Jeremy Ceasar is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"I really wanted to be a good kid"

Parker Coker is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"I want to be able to fail and feel okay"

Adjekai Stewart is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"What did I get myself into?"

Francisco Lazo is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"I want him to be better than what I was"

Edward Tucker is a cadet at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"I'm going to dominate your environment"

Staff Sgt. Timothy Edwards is an instructor at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014

"I see a lot of myself within these kids"

Sgt. 1st Class Peter Gutierrez is an instructor at Sunburst Youth Academy, an academic boot camp run by the National Guard aimed at getting high school dropouts back on track

• Sep 30, 2014