PIERRE, S.D. – Some 24 youth from across South Dakota celebrated with friends and family Friday their graduation from the South Dakota Highway Patrol/American Legion of South Dakota Youth Trooper Academy.
South Dakota State Commander of the American Legion Gary Wolkow had nothing but praise for the Recruits.
“You parents should be very, very proud of a great group of young men and women. They are simply awesome. These young men and women are our future.”
Public Safety Secretary Craig Price says youth in the program enhance what they’ve already achieved.
“This isn’t a troubled youth camp where kids are having struggles in life. This is kids that have already been identified as leaders in their community going through the competitive process they have and they should be very proud to be selected.”
Recruit Cameron Schmidt of Redfield won the Top Gun Rifle award while Cole Peterson of Pierre won for Top Gun pistol. Scholarships were awarded to Faith Maunu of Pierre and Wyatt Anderson of Willow Lake.
Here is a list of the new recruits:
