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Apr 29, 2006

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DROPOUTS GET MILITARYBASIC TRAINING WITH ACADEMIC COMPONENT
By: Paris Achen

As it appeared in the Seattle Times, originally printed in the Medford Mail Tribune (OR) and distributed by the Associated Press

MEDFORD, Ore. - While a student at South Medford High School, Adam Dezwart's attitude toward school followed the old adage, "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die."

If he went to school, it was to meet friends, to skip class or to compete in a wrestling match.

His life is starkly different now.

Enrolled at the Oregon Youth Challenge Program in Bend, Dezwart, 18, has only a few minutes to shower, walks in military formation everywhere, may not chat with his peers during meals and does daily physical training during which a "cadre" with some sort of military background barks orders.

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