South Dakota high school students from 18 different school districts– including Philip, Pierre and Chamberlain– are living the life of a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper this week.
The 23 students are attending the annual Youth Trooper Academy being held at the Mickelson Law Enforcement Training Center in Pierre.
Academy activities begin today (June 20, 2022) and end with a graduation ceremony Friday. The students will be participating in classroom and hands-on training such as firearms safety, defensive driving, crash investigation, traffic stops, leadership and citizenship.
Highway Patrol superintendent Col. Rick Miller says this week is a great way for students to learn more about the Highway Patrol. Doug Feltman of Chamberlain is the prospective department commander for the South Dakota American Legion. He says the academy is not only about law enforcement, but also developing these young people into leaders.
Those attending the Youth Trooper Academy and their high schools are: Kasey Broers, Pierre T.F. Riggs; Brady Brown, Rapid City Stevens; Zeke Bryan, Canton; Kelsee Colgrove, Spearfish; Kaeley Dixon, Brookings; Lexy Guardado, Sturgis Brown; Navarre Head, Harding County; Noel Kastner, Redfield; Chel Larsen, Andes Central; Maya Lee, Dell Rapids; Kimber Natvig, Pierre T.F. Riggs; Devynn Nelson, Mount Vernon; Jacob Novak, White Lake; Paige Pederson, Vermillion; Derrick Rasmussen, Chamberlain; Reese Riemenschneider, Tea Area; Kolby Rosser, Sturgis Brown; Jaydon Schmalz, Deuel; Sydni Snyder, Pierre T.F. Riggs; Hannah Stagman, Harrisburg; Nathan Swets, Spearfish; Radley Wendt, Philip; and, Madison Ziebarth, Harrisburg.
Academy participants were selected by representatives from the Highway Patrol and American Legion. Most of those chosen are high school juniors or seniors. The event, now in its 10th year, is sponsored by the Highway Patrol and the South Dakota American Legion. The Highway Patrol is an agency of the Department of Public Safety.
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