Michael Hash, 18, of Victoria, was among 17 Cadets from the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy to earn Silver Phase, a distinguished honor for sustained progress and leadership, during the first Silver Phase ceremony of Class 50 on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Of the 155 Cadets to start the program, these 17 Cadets are among the most exemplary of the Eight Core Components of Challenge. Components include Academic Excellence, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Health and Hygiene, Responsible Citizenship, Service to the Community, Leadership/Followership and Physical Fitness.

Cadet Hash, of Central High School, was among the first Cadets to earn Silver phase and is at the top of his class. Cadet Hash is one of the highest achievers in Class 50 and maintains exemplary performance standards on a consistent basis.

Silver Phase occurs weekly during weeks 6-22 of the Challenge program. In order to earn Silver Phase, cadets must be outstanding in all phases of their daily life. They must be punctual, comply with physical fitness standards, be respectful to peers and staff, adhere to uniform and classroom standards and comply with honor codes. As a reward for their achievements, Silver Phase Cadets are allowed longer phone calls to family and friends, may also use an MP3 player in their free time to listen to their own music. Silver Phase Cadets may also be given the privilege to speak at Orientations, media interviews or other functions. These Cadets also receive a silver rope and silver ribbon.

The Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy (CCYA) is a residential educational program recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and sponsored by the National Guard. CCYA is a quasi-military style, 17 month program (5-1/2 month residential phase; 12 month post-residential phase) for at-risk 16-18 year old teenagers.