Thunderbird Academy no long for just at-risk children
Pete Merwick says the Thunderbird program in Pryor is a 22-week residential program that now has 80 percent of its graduates returning to their high schools.
Pete Merwick, a 20-year military veteran and Recruiter Admissions Coordinator for the Thunderbird Challenge Program told Grove Rotary members recently that the program is Oklahoma’s premier high school leadership academy.
The program, which began in Pryor in 1993 and now boasts more than 41 programs across the country, is funded by the National Guard.
The Quasi-Military, 22-week resident program, which was once designed for at-risk juveniles, is now an all-volunteer program as of 10 years ago.
While attending school on campus, cadets also learning critical life skills, vocational training and participate in community service as a life/career readiness program.
Merwick said after they graduate, 80 percent go back to their high school and become leaders. The other 20 percent get their GED, Workforce, go-to tech school, military, or college.
Those wishing to learn more about the program can go to thunderbird.org where there is also a link for an application for the program.
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