August 11, 2006

Kalamazoo-  At a graduation ceremony today at Kalamazoo College, 33 Kalamazoo teens completed the Michigan State Police’s week-long Michigan Youth Leadership Academy.  The Michigan Youth Leadership Academy is designed to provide young men with an opportunity to learn leadership and decision-making skills, as well as build positive relationships with law enforcement officers.

“Programs like this change lives, one teen at a time,” said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the Michigan State Police (MSP).  “These young men have the power to make a positive difference in their community and with the lessons they learned this week, they also have the knowledge and support needed to succeed.”

During the academy, which was held at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing, the young men, ages 14 to 16, received lessons on leadership, responsible citizenship, respect, trust, health, community service and life-coping skills.  The academy also included water safety, group workshops and discussions.

Officers from the MSP, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’ s Department, Benton Harbor Police Department, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and the Kalamazoo Township Police Department participated in the academy.  

The teens were chosen for the academy based on recommendations from school, community and law enforcement officials.  The teens were required to complete an interview with a panel of law enforcement officers before being accepted into the academy.

MSP members conducted informational assemblies at middle schools, high schools and other community functions in Kalamazoo to introduce the concept of the Michigan Youth Leadership Academy.  There is no cost for the teens to attend the week-long residential academy.

At the ceremony, the graduates were addressed by keynote speaker Sheriff Michael Anderson of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Col. Peter C. Munoz; Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, President of Kalamazoo College; Mr. Greg Roberts, Director of the Governor’s Community and Faith Based Initiatives Office; Vice Mayor Bobby Hopewell of the City of Kalamazoo; Dr. Louis Felton, Galilee Baptist Church and President of North Side Ministerial Alliance; Pastor Addis Moore, Mt. Zion Baptist Church; Janice Brown, Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools; Chief Timothy Bourgeous, Kalamazoo Township Police Department; and Chief Dan Weston, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Sgt. Bennie Bowers, MSP Prevention Services Section, (269) 506-0847
Tpr. Nate McClain, MSP Fifth District Headquarters, (517) 749-2267