High School Students Graduate from Youth Trooper Academy on Friday

PIERRE, S.D. –High school students from 18 different South Dakota school districts are in Pierre this week experiencing an inside look at the diversity involved in the career of a State Trooper.

More than 20 students are attending this week’s 11^th annual Youth Trooper Academy at the Mickelson Law Enforcement Training Center in Pierre. The academy is sponsored by the Highway Patrol and South Dakota American Legion.   The weeklong academy wraps up with Friday’s graduation ceremony.

“This is a week most students will never forget.  We know some of the students attending each year will choose law enforcement as a career,” said Col. Rick Miller, superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. “Students are getting opportunities to learn about everything from traffic stops and DUI detection to crash investigation and firearm safety.”

Academy participants were selected by representatives from the Highway Patrol and American Legion. Most students are high school juniors or seniors.

“Many of our graduates have become State Troopers, Deputy Sheriffs, City Police Officers, DCI Agents, Conservation Officers, and 911 Dispatchers” said Larry Price, Chairman of the South Dakota American Legion’s Public Safety Committee.

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

Those attending the Youth Trooper Academy and their high schools are Kalie Barcklay, Centerville High School; Victor Collins, Douglas High School; Bryce Crawford, Tea Area High School; Colin DeGarmo, Douglas High School; Brandon Forrette, Huron High School; Case Gunnell, Central High School; Sunny Hall, Pierre T.F. Riggs ; Travis Harms, Harrisburg High School; Cheyenne Hunnewell, Bon Homme; Jayce Kuechenmeister, Brookings High School; Carter Locy, Sioux Falls Jefferson; Olivia Meehan, Madison High School; Bryce Mitchell, Lead/Deadwood High School; Sarah Poncelow, Wessington Springs; Emily Sachtjen, Winner High School; Nikolos Sasse, Yankton High School; Jake Simonsen, West Central; Kyera Sivage, Pierre T.F. Riggs; Nathanael VanGerpen, Gayville-Volin High School; Joshua Vermundson, Pierre T.F. Riggs; Jaden Wajer, Dell Rapids High School; Zayne Winson, Huron High School.

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