PEARL CITY — The 28th class of the Hawai'i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy — 96 students strong — held graduation ceremonies today .

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who delivered the keynote address at the graduation, held at the Pearl City Cultural Center, said "It's a happy day."

"Yes, you can clap for them. When they came in, they didn't believe. They didn't feel. They didn't see or think. They came in thinking they were losers," Abercrombie said. "Now they can walk away knowing that they have achieved what they started out and stand on the cusp of their life."

They are graduates of a program that provides 16- to 19-year-old at-risk teenagers a second chance to obtain a high school diploma. The program began in 1994 and has graduated more than 2,000 students in Hawai'i and a total of 74,000 nationwide.

In the parking lot after the ceremony, surrounded by her family, stood a smiling Jennifer Lambatsos, a Mililani High School student, who graduated from the program.

Lambatsos said she skipped most of the ninth grade, choosing not to attend classes. By her sophomore year, when she decided to try to catch up, she was too far behind. Her only option was to quit school.

Until she learned about the youth academy.

"The time went by really fast," said Lambatsos. "I wouldn't have graduated without this."

Now she's looking ahead to college in San Antonio.