At a graduation ceremony today, 28 young men, ages 14 to 16, from Kalamazoo completed the Michigan State Police's (MSP) week-long Michigan Youth Leadership Academy. 

The Michigan Youth Leadership Academy is designed to provide teens with an opportunity to learn leadership and decision-making skills, as well as build positive relationships with law enforcement officers.  The goal is to form a foundation of Responsibility, Respect and Trust benefiting the young men, law enforcement and their community.

"Programs like this change lives, one teen at a time," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the 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 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, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and Kalamazoo Township Police Department participated as instructors in the academy. 

The young men were chosen for the academy based on recommendations from school, community and law enforcement officials.  They 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 young men to attend the week-long residential academy.

In addition to Kalamazoo, the MSP has hosted Michigan Youth Leadership Academies with teens from Benton Harbor, Flint, Pontiac and Saginaw.