South Dakota high school students from 19 different school districts attended the annual Youth Trooper Academy held at the Mickelson Law Enforcement Training Center in Pierre. The event, now in its 13th year, is sponsored by the Highway Patrol and the South Dakota American Legion.
The Youth Trooper Academy is an intensive, one-week, residential learning experience for young adults who are entering their senior year of high school or have just graduated high school in 2025. The program is designed to expose young adults to the demands of Highway Patrol Recruit training and to develop better relationships between the youth of our state and the Highway Patrol.
Veteran South Dakota Highway Patrol Troopers serve as mentors and chaperones during the week. Troopers and members from other law enforcement agencies throughout the state of South Dakota provide classroom and hands-on training in topics such as firearms safety, defensive driving, crash investigation, traffic stops, leadership, defensive tactics, and criminal law. Youth Trooper Academy Recruits also get to experience demonstrations from the Highway Patrol’s special operations section such as aircraft operation, SWAT, and Police Service Dogs.
“We’ve seen firsthand how the Youth Trooper Academy sparks interest,” noted Colonel Casey Collins. “Some of our own troopers credit their high school experience in the academy with deepening their desire to join the Highway Patrol. This week offers an invaluable opportunity for students to learn more about our work.”
“The South Dakota Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the South Dakota American Legion, provides an opportunity for these students to get an insight into a law enforcement career,” said Doug Feltman of Chamberlain, the past department commander for the South Dakota American Legion. “Emphasis is placed on integrity, discipline, and community involvement. Each day the recruits receive instruction on different aspects of law enforcement including criminal and traffic laws, drug interdiction, Driving Under the Influence detection, firearm safety, crash investigation, and other topics.”
Every year, an Outstanding Graduate is chosen to receive a $750 scholarship from the South Dakota American Legion and this year that honor went to Emma Niles from Hot Springs.
Students who participated in this year’s Youth Trooper Academy and the high schools they attend are:
- Hayden Anderson, Winner
- Jacob Brandt, Plankinton
- Haydn Buchanan, T.F. Riggs
- Briar Campbell, Mitchell
- Reece Christianson, Brookings High School
- Jayden Dorn, Homeschooled
- Katelyn Flannery, Tea Area
- Brooklyn Hoss, Summit High School
- McKenna Jennings, Roosevelt
- Joseph Kranz, Brandon Valley
- Alexander Marich, Spearfish High School
- Cade Maxfield, Lennox
- Micah Meyer, Scotland
- Emma Niles, Wessington Springs Cyber High School
- Camden O’Bryan, Bennett County High School
- Eleanor Overweg, T.F. Riggs
- Jada Peck, Bison High School
- Jace Schiernbeck, Oldham-Ramona
- Alexander Swihart, Yankton
- Kaelyn Ulschmid, Arlington High School
The 2025 class of recruits are shown here with South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden.
Courtesy photo.
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