PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota high school students from 19 different school districts attended the annual Youth Trooper Academy held at the Mickelson Law Enforcement Training Center in Pierre. The event, now in its 13^th year, is sponsored by the Highway Patrol and the South Dakota American Legion.

Academy activities began on Monday, June 23^rd, and end with a graduation ceremony Friday, June 27^th. The students participated in classroom and hands-on training such as firearms safety, defensive driving, crash investigation, traffic stops, and leadership.

“We’ve seen firsthand how the Youth Trooper Academy sparks interest,” noted Colonel Casey Collins. “Some of our own troopers credit their high school experience in the academy with deepening their desire to join the Highway Patrol. This week offers an invaluable opportunity for students to learn more about our work.”

Governor Larry Rhoden attended Friday’s graduation. “At a time when law enforcement officers are attacked just for doing their job to keep us safe, it shows real courage to consider a career in law enforcement,” the governor said. “The Highway Patrol’s Youth Trooper Academy is a great opportunity for young South Dakotans interested in law enforcement careers to get training.”

“The South Dakota Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the South Dakota American Legion, provides an opportunity for these students to get an insight into a law enforcement career,” said Doug Feltman of Chamberlain, the past department commander for the South Dakota American Legion. “Emphasis is placed on integrity, discipline, and community involvement. Each day the recruits receive instruction on different aspects of law enforcement including criminal and traffic laws, drug interdiction, Driving Under the Influence detection, firearm safety, crash investigation, and other topics.”

Those that attended the 2025 Youth Trooper Academy and their high schools are: Hayden Anderson, Winner; Jacob Brandt, Plankinton; Haydn Buchanan, T.F. Riggs; Briar Campbell, Mitchell; Reece Christianson, Brookings; Jayden Dorn, Homeschool; Katelyn Flanner, Tea Area; Brooklyn Hoss, Summit; McKenna Jennings, Roosevelt; Joseph Kranz, Brandon Valley; Alexander Marich, Spearfish; Cade Maxfield, Lennox; Micah Meyer, Scotland; Emma Niles, Wessington Springs; Camden O’Bryan, Bennett County; Eleanor Overweg, T.F. Riggs; Jada Peck, Bison; Jace Schiernbeck, Oldham-Ramona; Alexander Swihart, Yankton; Kaelyn Ulschmid, Arlington; and Tucker Wrage, Madison.

The Highway Patrol is an agency of the Department of Public Safety.

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Caption: The 2025 class of recruits are shown here with their mentors and members of the American Legion.