C-Falls teen discovers his leadership potential

A Columbia Falls teen who was struggling in high school successfully graduated from the Montana Youth Challenge Academy in Dillon on Dec. 20.

Dakota Krissie said he  has discovered his potential as a leader and plans to enroll at Flathead Valley Community College next semester.

“I never thought I had leadership parts in me at all,” he said. “I got there and I found out at the end I can be a good leader. And I was.”

The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a National Guard-sponsored 17-month program for youth ages 16 to 18 who are at risk of failing academically or dropping out of high school.

Krissie, 17, explained that before he attended the academy, he had trouble staying awake in class, didn’t want to do homework and just didn’t see any relevance in attending school because he already had a job. His father suggested that he enroll in the academy, and Krissie graduated five and a half months later.

Krissie lived on the University of Montana-Western campus, with a highly structured and monitored routine that focused on academic excellence, leadership, citizenship, job skills, physical fitness, community service, life-coping skills, and health and hygiene. He also took a high school equivalency test and several college courses.

He recalled meeting the first 10 days — the “acclimation phase” — with some resistance.

“I don’t think anyone liked that basically you’re put in the armory for 10 days,” he said. “It’s like boot camp.”

Participants learn basic rules, regulations and expectations during the acclimation phase and complete tests for placement in classes, admissions counselor Clay Cantrell said. The academy follows a military model, but is not a formal boot camp, he added.

“We’re not training soldiers — we’re training students,” Cantrell said. “We provide the basic structure, self-discipline and accountability. They line up in formations. They march to and from class. They have to hold their bedrooms to standard, make their bed a certain way.”

Krissie held the permanent leadership position in his platoon during his last five weeks there. To win the competitive position, he had to take a written test and get recommendations from staff.

“It’s really hard to get it,” Cantrell said. “You have to be top dog essentially.”

Krissie also was chosen to participate in the color guard and presented the colors for the university’s home football games and at the Governor’s Office in Helena.

Back in Columbia Falls with a less regimented schedule, Krissie was paired with a mentor who will provide guidance for the next 12 months as part of the program. He said he hopes to enroll at FVCC.

“Now is the time to move out in the world again,” Cantrell said. “Mentoring is crucial to keep track of them and make sure they are still thriving.”

Krissie said he formed close friendships with others — bonds that last a lifetime.

“These are the people that are in a sense your brothers and sisters for five and half months that are going to help you get through things, make sure you succeed and thrive,” Cantrell said.

Free to participants, the Montana Youth Challenge Academy is funded 75 percent by the federal government and 25 percent through the state. To date, Krissie is one of 2,298 cadets who have graduated from the academy, which was established in 1999.