MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Troop E Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet program concluded last Friday at the Allegheny College campus in Meadville.
During closing graduation ceremonies two outstanding senior cadets were lauded and selected to attend the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner’s Honor Camp at the State Police Academy at Hershey next summer.
They are sixteen year old Jolene Helpler (pictured above), a junior at Faith Christian Academy in Cranberry, the daughter of Matthew and Monica Hepler, of Emlenton, and Josiah Poindexter, a senior at the Warren County Christian School, the son of Michael and Sherry Poindexter, of Warren.
Both will join outstanding cadets from 22 other Pennsylvania State Police camp programs across the state. The honor camp introduces young men and women to multiple academy academic programs associated with State Police trooper cadet training.
The honor camp program began in 1998 under former Commissioner Paul J. Evanko as a reward to the top two male and female cadets from each of the 23 camp cadet programs in Pennsylvania.
Honor camp cadets will study criminal justice system issues, state government matters, criminal investigations, police skills, use of force, team problem solving activities, and leadership skills.
They will undertake visits to the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the governor’s residence, State Police Department Headquarters and Hershey Park.The Troop E Camp Cadet program and Honor Camp are funded by private donations. No state funds are expended.
Last week’s Troop E program set a record for cadet attendance, with 90 cadets and 11 senior cadets who reported for camp on June 19th. Staff members included ten troopers and multiple civilian volunteers, including medical staff assistance from the Erie-based Emergycare paramedic and EMT units.
In addition to the senior cadet awards, 14 others were presented, including Erie Kiwanis club citizenship, outstanding athlete, and camp achievement awards.
Sixteen cadets (listed below) were from Venango County. Troopers MIchelle R. McGee and Jason E. Siegel of the PSP Franklin station along with other troopers led platoon formation marches at graduation before nearly 300 cadet family members and friends.
Venango County cadets:
Gabriel Bingham
Jaden Bosley
Yelena Carvin
Holden Cook
Eithan Deloe
Isaak Ghering
Julia Ghering
Joshua Griffin
Jolene Hepler
Gabe Johnson
Cameron Pyle
Lerisa Shiley
Gunnar Toombs
Hunter Wagner
Patrick Wagner
Preston Wagner