HERSHEY – A select group of 48 teenagers from across Pennsylvania is learning about state police operations and government through the annual Commissioner’s Honors Camp, being held this week at the State Police Academy in Hershey.
The cadets, aged 13-18, were selected from among more than 1,500 boys and girls who participated in local Camp Cadet programs last summer.
“The local Camp Cadet programs give young people a positive attitude toward the law enforcement profession through exposure to the criminal justice system from a police cadet’s point of view,” State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. “The Honor Camp is designed to build leadership qualities and teach the youngsters more about the department and state government.”
Troopers teach Honor Camp cadets about criminal investigations, police skills, use-of-force and related topics. The camp includes team problem-solving activities and sports, as well as a visit to the Capitol, state police headquarters and the Governor’s Residence.
“This is also a great opportunity for our troopers to build solid personal and professional relationships with outstanding young people, and to have a positive impact on the state’s future,” Noonan said.
The Honor Camp, which was created more than a decade ago as a reward for the top two cadets from each local program, continues through Saturday, ending with a graduation ceremony at the State Police Academy.
Editor’s Note: Â Following are the youths invited to participate in the Honor Camp and their hometowns, listed by county:
Allegheny: Tyrel Hill of Verona;
Armstrong: William Duff of Apollo and Hope Huston of Templeton;
Beaver: Christopher Callaghan of Aliquippa;
Bedford: Alan Barnes of Manns Choice and Jordan Hobson of Alum Bank;
Butler: Cierra Lawrence of Butler and Ryan Sacco of Chicora;
Cambria: Kaitlin Devan of Johnstown;
Carbon: Arianna Lavan of Lehighton;
Centre: Gwendolyn Lowery of Bellefonte and Michael Sleeth of Port Matilda;
Chester: Kyle Jenks of Downington and Rhiannon O’Neil of West Chester;
Clearfield: Jacob Brown of Lanse;
Clinton: Rebecca Leuthold of Lock Haven and Mitchell Wheary of Lock Haven;
Cumberland: Logan Shulenberger of Newville;
Dauphin: Jamiee Cuddy of Dauphin;
Elk: Ashley Lenze of Saint Marys;
Erie: Michael Parker of Erie;
Fulton: Zane Baker of Needmore and Arica Carbaugh of Hustontown;
Indiana: Jacob Bothell of Indiana and Susannah Nickas of Indiana;
Lackawanna: Samuel Kontz of Clarks Summit and Felicia Martin of Carbondale;
Lancaster: Andrew James of East Petersburg and Alexis Nolt of Lititz;
Lebanon: Deryn Fink of Lebanon;
Lehigh: Lucas Metzger of New Tripoli;
Luzerne: Blake Donovan of Shavertown and Reid Skiro of Plains;
Lycoming: Patrick Hiller of Williamsport, Natalie Lamoreaux of Pennsdale and Logan McGovern of Trout Run;
Mifflin: Bruce Mann of Lewistown;
Monroe: Samantha Bartholomew of Saylorsburg and James Kerrick of Blakeslee;
Montgomery: Jakob Degenshein of Collegeville and Alexa Duffy of Lansdale;
Potter: Alexis Adams of Ulysses;
Schuylkill: Anthony Wojciechowsky of Pottsville;
Somerset: Eric Darr of Berlin;
Venango: Miya Gossett of Franklin;
Washington: Adison Mamula of Washington;
Westmoreland: Stephen Pernelli of Latrobe and Ashlyn Whalen of Latrobe.
