A visibly moved former member of U.S. Congress, Grace Napolitano, was in Los Alamitos Friday to accept military honors for her more than two decades of service supporting the California National Guard, especially the National Guard ChalleNGe program.
A cadre of current and former officials joined the state’s top military brass at the Sunburst Youth Academy on the Joint Forces Training Base to dedicate an innovative outdoor learning structure to the legacy of the former Congresswoman’s dedication to the program.
“Today, this structure stands as a tribute to the remarkable work of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, who dedicated much of her career to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed,” said Major General Matthew P. Beevers, the state’s highest-ranking military official.
Sunburst cadets hold the ribbon as officials cut it. (L-R) Los Al Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink, State Sen. Bob Archuleta, OCDE Supt. Dr. Stefan Gean, Adjutant Gen. Matthew P. Beevers, former Rep. Grace Napolitano and Congressman Derek Tran look on as officials cut the ribbon to open the Grace F. Napolitano Outdoor Learning Center at the Joint Forces Training Base.
Pointing to the recently constructed outdoor pavilion near the Sunburst classroom building on the base, Beevers said the geodesic outdoor space will hereinafter be dedicated to the creativity of its students.
“This space, a hub for innovation, leadership, and opportunity, will serve as a place where future leaders and change-makers will be nurtured and inspired for generations to come,” said Beevers.
Shortly before he spoke, Beevers, the Adjutant General of the state’s National Guard, softly laid a medal, the Order of California, around Napolitano’s neck.
Officials said the medal is the state’s highest honor and was issued at the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom to honor Napolitano’s 26 years of distinguished service to the state.Officials suggested the National Guard ChalleNGe program was in its infancy when Rep. Napolitano was elected in 1998, but with her vision and dedication, the program has grown to four ChalleNGe academies in California.
Maj. Gen. Matthew P. Beevers, the state’s highest military official, presents the “Order of California” Medal to Rep. Grace Napolitano (ret.)
Sunburst was established on JFTB in 2008, having now graduated more than 5,000 students. The Sunburst Youth Academy is a tuition-free, military-style alternative high school that offers second chances to students ages 16 to 18 who are behind in school credits.
Under Napolitano’s leadership, federal funding for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program went from $20 million to $210 million, with approximately $30 million now dedicated to California’s four academies, said Beevers.
Napolitano also championed legislation allowing National Guard facilities to be repurposed for educational use, which Beevers said makes the program cost-effective and accessible to more cadets.
“In California alone, Congresswoman Napolitano has changed the trajectory of 20,000 young lives,” Beevers said. “She made an extraordinary commitment at a decisive moment in these kids’ lives — to lift them up, to change how they view the world and themselves, and to help them make a lasting impact.”
“I’m just really honored to be here today,” said an emotional Napolitano, now 88, who recently retired from Congress representing the San Gabriel Valley and parts of Los Angeles.
“I couldn’t be prouder to receive this honor for just doing a job,” she said. “I just want to be sure that we understand that this program is successful because of the people who supported it,” she added. “And I’ve been successful because of the people who helped me in Washington. I didn’t do things alone.”
The Sunburst Youth Academy is a partnership between the California National Guard and the Orange County Department of Education.
Sunburst students live in barracks on the base as they learn military skills and drills, while OCDE provides teachers and professional instruction for the alternative education project.
The state’s four ChallenNGe academies are, in many cases, the last resort for students in danger during their most formative years, suggested OCDE Supt. Dr. Stefan Bean.
“Thanks to her, Sunburst is not just a school,” Dr. Bean said. “It’s a second chance. It’s a launch pad. It’s hope,” he said
“This space represents her belief in whole child education,” said Dr. Bean, “supporting the academic, emotional, and personal growth of every cadet.”
“It’s more than a structure. It’s a symbol of healing, of resilience and opportunity. Congresswoman Napolitano’s legacy will live on in the lives of the cadets who learn and grow here for years to come,” he said.
Friday’s ceremony featured military precision drills from Sunburst’s color guard and an audience of local dignitaries, including U.S. Representative Derek Tran, State Senator Bob Archuleta, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Los Alamitos Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink.
Military officials said the paved pavilion is a $500,000 capital project that transformed an open lot outside the Sunburst school building on the base into the Grace Napolitano Outdoor Learning Center.