Three area seniors and one recent local high school graduate were among the 86 graduates in Oklahoma’s 47th Cadet Lawman Academy at Connors State College in Warner.

Those cadet grads are Jay Jech, Hennessey; Xander Bolner, Kingfisher; Heather Wade, Cashion, and Hanna Culp, Piedmont.

Jech, a 2021 HHS graduate, was selected for the academy’s John Curtis Spokesperson Award and delivered a speech during graduation ceremonies Saturday, June 12, at the Warner Event Center.

He is the son of Jeff and Timberly Jech and Jeff is a Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper.

Bolner is the son of Christopher and Kristi Bolner of Kingfisher; Wade, is the daughter of Lawanna Wade of Cashion, and Culp is the daughter ofJenise and Joe Culp of Piedmont.

Kingfisher Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Dennis Mueggenborg and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects helped these four cadets attend the 47th Cadet Lawman Academy.

“Without them this academy would not happen,” said Trooper Jech.

There were 48 boys and 36 girls in this year’s week-long academy which is a collaboration between law enforcement agencies including the Department of Public Safety and Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The academy was started in 1973. So far, 5,080 high school seniors have attended and it’s estimated that 35 % of those later chose a career in law enforcement.

Cadets were told that “law enforcement and criminal justice professions are not only dedicated to the people they serve, but also to another group called family,” said an academy spokesperson.

A cadet’s day began with reveille at 5:30 a.m. and ended at 10 p.m.

At 6:45 a.m., all the cadets fell into formation for the call to colors.

All cadets were divided into six different colored (Red, Blue, Green, Gold, Brown and Orange) platoons. Each platoon was responsible for flag detail and cadets were taught flag courtesy and customs.

During the first week in June, this year’s cadets participated in live air-to-ground traffic patrol and rode in an OHP aircraft while troopers made traffic stops on the ground.

They were also given basic driving technique training and were taught precision and accuracy while they had hands-on experience in patrol cars.

Cadets also had the opportunity to observe the use of equipment used in these sections of the OHP: Bomb Squad, Marine Enforcement, Underwater Search and Rescue Teams and Special Service Troops.

The cadets had firearms training, including safe handling and care of weapons.

They also had hands-on use of firearms on the gun range where they competed in shooting revolvers and shotguns.

Cadets were also responsible for preparing their rooms and common areas for inspection each day.

Mid-week the cadets got to unwind, eat pizza and take a trip to a water park.