Calling all high school juniors

As adults, we know personal challenges come whether we like them or not, but how many willingly take them on? How many would voluntarily sign up for a weeklong academy made to test their strength, endurance and skill?

That is the question the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is asking high school juniors as the OHP's 49th Cadet Lawman Academy April 1 application deadline approaches. Bob Young, son of Trooper Billy G. Young who was killed almost 45 years ago in the line of duty, met with juniors at Alva High School last week to promote the Academy. Trooper Jeff Jech joined Young in showing the students what the program entails while three other officers hung back to answer questions.

Young and Jech explained that the Academy, exclusively for all high school juniors (male and female) across Oklahoma, is designed to push young people beyond their perceived limits, build strength, develop character and encourage fun in the process. The free program lasts a week and offers insight into law enforcement officer training and way of life. The students' experience is boot camp-like and includes activities like shooting guns and driving a patrol car through an obstacle course. (A valid driver's license is required to operate the patrol car.)

Participants must be dropped off and picked up from the Academy and will be provided a dorm room and three meals a day, free of charge. Though the day exercises will be vigorous, the juniors will also experience exciting evenings with activities, including time at a waterpark, a dance, a pizza party, a talent show, and a volleyball tournament where platoons face off. Awards for best driver and shooter will be presented as well.

The high school students are not obligated to do anything after they graduate from the Academy; they are not expected to pursue a career in law enforcement. Instead, Trooper Jeff Jech says the program is meant to provide excellent character-building challenges that encourage camaraderie, teamwork and self-growth. He said the program is not only an opportunity to improve self but also to forge lifetime friendships. But, of course, it doesn't hurt that completing the program looks great on a resume too, he said.

This year's 49th Cadet Lawman Academy will be held June 4-10 in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. Applications must be in by April 1. Students may sign up on the Cadet Lawmen Facebook page or email cadetlawman@gmail.com. The Oklahoma State Troopers Association, the Oklahoma Elks Majors Project, and CUDD Pressure Control sponsor the Academy.