‘Badging Ceremony’ Caps Cadet Training
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College’s Law Enforcement Academy recently performed a “Badging Ceremony” as it honored the 21 graduating members of Class 121.
Cadets earning individual awards included Kristen Fuentes, Valedictorian; Robert Keith Bradford, Physical Agility Award; Andrew Arocha, Top Driver Award; and Connor Harry, Top Shot Award.
Amy Wren, District Attorney for Angelina County, served as keynote speaker, praising the new officers for their commitments to their new profession.
“Be proud of who you are,” Wren said. “but do not be arrogant. You have chosen a noble profession, and you should be proud to say you are a law enforcement officer. There are badge wearers, and there are cops. You do not want to be a badge wearer, the person who believes the badge makes them special or entitled.
“You want to be a cop. Cops are proud to perform their duties every day and live a life they should be proud of.”
Fuentes, the class valedictorian, reminded her fellow cadets of the rigors they’d endured and survived while encouraging them to remember why they’d chosen to endure it.
“We are one step closer to being where we want to be,” Fuentes said. “We’re entering a profession that demands integrity, courage and compassion. I pray we stay grounded, fall back on our training and make decisions with confidence.”
Graduating cadets and their hometowns were as follows:
Clayton Alexander (Cushing), Andrew Arocha (Livingston), Raymond Barrett (Nacogdoches), Patrick Bayless (Livingston), Robert Keith Bradford (Richards), Holly Cox (Onalaska), Faith Eddings (San Augustine), Kristen Fuentes (Nacogdoches), Connor Harry (Newton), Brant Herchman (Lufkin), Demario Hickman (Livingston), Brian Hilderbrand (Alto), William Duane Kenner (Huntington), Yahir Martinez (Lufkin), Nicholas McClenathan (Livingston), Brenton Peters (Zavalla), Cannon Pitts (Lufkin), Billy Russell (Huntington), Martin Salinas (Lufkin), Brooke Tykol (Jasper) and Hannah Vickers (Livingston).
Academy Staff includes Dr. Esther Campbell, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs; Ivan Kaminsky, Law Enforcement Academy Lead Instructor; Monica Newberg, TCOLE Coordinator; and Cody Christopher, Law Enforcement Continuing Education Training Manager.
For further information on Angelina College’s Law Enforcement Academy, email policeacademy@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
Group:
Members of Angelina College’s Law Enforcement Academy Class 121 recently celebrated their graduation with a “Badging Ceremony” held inside AC’s Activity Center. A total of 21 cadets earned their certifications as peace officers. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)
Valedictorian Kristen Fuentes:
Kristen Fuentes, valedictorian for the Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy Class 121, addresses the crowd and fellow cadets during a recent ceremony. The academy graduated 21 new peace officers following a “Badging Ceremony” held inside AC’s Activity Center. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)
Keynote Speaker Amy Wren:
Amy Wren, District Attorney for Angelina County, offers words of encouragement as keynote speaker for the Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy’s Class 121 “Badging Ceremony” recently held inside the AC Activity Center. A total of 21 cadets earned their certifications as peace officers. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)