Kalamazoo, Mich. At a graduation ceremony today, 31 young women, 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 women, law enforcement and their community.

During the academy, which was held at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing, the young women 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 Department of Public Safety and Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department participated as instructors in the academy.

The young women 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 and Kalamazoo area police officers 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 women to attend the week-long residential academy.