Justice major awarded $20,000 scholarship from National Guard Youth Foundation

Lena Illig at the 9th Annual ChalleNGe
Champions Gala in Washington, D.C.
Photo by Johnny Bivera

Lena Illig, Justice major, was recently awarded a $20,000 scholarship from the National Guard Youth Foundation and was named a Youth ChalleNGe Ambassador. Lena spoke to members of Congress at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., in February and described how her experience attending the Alaska Youth Military Academy gave her a "second chance in life."  The Alaska Youth Military Academy administers the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in Alaska for at-risk young people.

Lena's goal is to become an Alaska State Trooper.  She credits the Alaska Youth Military Academy with helping her get back on track and into college.  In addition to pursuing a degree in Justice, Lena also volunteers with Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), Planned Parenthood, and the Anchorage Police Department Auxiliary Search Team.

The National Guard Youth Foundation provides programs and assistance across the country for youth who have dropped out of school.