Jessica Luton
Eighty-four children marched forward to take their seats before a crowd of proud parents, volunteers and sponsors Wednesday evening at the ninth annual Junior Police Academy Graduation Ceremony.
After a brief welcome and prayer by several participating children, the 2009 Junior Police Academy class proudly recited the JPA motto: We say no to drugs and yes to education by staying focused with lots of determination.
The camp, which aims to develop a positive relationship between local area youth and local law enforcement, does more than give students an introduction into the jobs of local area emergency and community service personnel.
It also provides them with a fun, encouraging atmosphere that is akin to a second family.
The guest speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony, former Sallie Davis Academy principal and current Blandy and Eagle Ridge Special Education Coordinator Collinda J. Lee, reverberated many of the motivational messages the children learned throughout the camp.
“It’s important to remember to keep your dreams alive,” she told them. “You can do whatever you would like to in life.”
Lee then had six children stand up at the front of the Eagle Ridge Elementary auditorium, gave them each a word to remember and talked about the importance behind each word.
Have faith, believe in yourself, have a vision for your life, work hard, be determined and have dedication to your job, she told them.
Next the room of attendees was treated to a slideshow presentation of photos from the month-long camp’s activities.
In the course of the month, the children learned a range of new things by meeting representatives from Baldwin County EMS, the MPD Detective’s Bureau, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Milledgeville Fire Department and a host of other local law enforcement professionals.
In addition, the children participated in several educational trips to the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, the Baldwin Bowling Center, the Governor’s Mansion, an Atlanta Braves game and even a trip to Lake Winnepesaukah.
The campers also worked on craft projects throughout the camp, thanks to Lowe’s, and even had a sleepover at the Milledgeville Mall.
Before being recognized as a graduate of the Junior Police Academy, the children stood bright-eyed and smiling before the audience to sing their graduation song — “Hero” by Mariah Carey.
After their musical performance, the children were presented with certificates for completing the JPA camp and each shook the hand of Milledgeville Police Department Chief Woodrow Blue, MPD Capt. Robert Cheeves and MPD Lt. Etta Gray.
Gray, the camp coordinator, also took the time during the course of the ceremony to thank each and every youth volunteer, adult volunteer, business sponsor and parent who helped out with the camp this year.
In addition to a graduation certificate, several children received special awards in recognition of their actions, talents or behavior during the camp.
Those awards included an academic award for each girl and boy that won the math bowl, an arts award for the boy and girl that excelled at a drawing competition, an award for the most spirited boy and girl, a most valuable player award and a leadership award.
The ceremony also produced a new award to two children who will represent the Junior Police Academy for the rest of the year in events such as parades — Mr. and Mrs. Junior Police Academy.
This year’s winners, Shatorius Scott and Alexis Sanders, took the stage after being adorned with regal red capes and crowns.
Wednesday’s graduation ceremony came to an end with encouraging remarks by MPD Chief Blue.
“This camp would not be possible without Lt. Gray,” he said. “She does all the work and the camp keeps growing and getting better and better every year. We hope that [because of this camp] the children will be become better citizens and that they’ll be wiser and better able to cope with the things that come their way in the future.”
