A Last Second Chance

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

Fresh start for young grads of National Guard boot camp

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

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

“When they fail, we hurt”

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.

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

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

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

ChalleNGe Academy cadets sing about home

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

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

"Where my Panthers at?"

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

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

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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