Equipped with life skills, young Lincoln Challenge cadets honored in Peoria

PEORIA ( 25News Now ) -Almost 100 young cadets from the Lincoln Challenge Academy graduated on Sunday at the Peoria Civic Center, marking a major milestone for the students participating in the state program.

The academy serves young people from across Illinois, ages 15 1/2 to 18, focusing on building life skills beyond traditional classroom learning.

Cadets spend around five months following a full schedule of classes, physical training and teamwork activities. Each student completes at least 40 hours of community service during the program.

They’re paired with mentors chosen from their own support networks before arriving at the academy.

The academy has graduated more than 16,000 cadets over the years. Approximately 60% of the teens successfully complete the Lincoln Challenge, an