June 18, 2005

Benton Harbor -   At a graduation ceremony today, 38 teens from Benton Harbor completed the week-long Michigan Youth Leadership Academy, sponsored by the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Michigan National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.  The Michigan Youth Leadership Academy is designed to provide teens an opportunity to learn leadership and decision-making skills, as well as build positive relationships with law enforcement officers and community members.

“Programs like this can help to change lives by changing attitudes - one teen at a time,” said Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the MSP and keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.  “These young men have the power to make a positive difference in their community and with the lessons learned here, they have the knowledge and support needed to succeed.”

The teens were chosen for the academy based on an essay submitted after informational assemblies given by MSP members at middle schools and high schools in Benton Harbor.  The teens also had to complete an interview with a panel of law enforcement officers before being accepted into the academy.

During the academy, held at the Veterans Hospital in Battle Creek, the young men, ages 14 to 16, received lessons on leadership, fellowship, responsible citizenship, health, community service and life coping skills, such as conflict resolution and anger management.  The academy also included military drills and group workshops and discussions.

In addition, the academy included a mentoring program using adult volunteers from Benton Harbor.  The volunteers were provided with mentor training from the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy.   Following the academy, the mentor will meet with the teen a few times a month to help the teen get involved in their community, make responsible decisions, set life goals and keep those goals on track. 

“The goal of the mentoring program is to provide support and guidance after these teens return home,” said Major General Thomas G. Cutler, director and adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, which overseas the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy.  “The mentors and teens are encouraged to continue working together to build foundations in their community, making it stronger.”

In addition, law enforcement officers who participated in the academy will meet with the teens once a month to further build a positive relationship between the community and law enforcement.  

At the ceremony, the graduates were addressed by Cutler and Sturdivant, as well as U.S. Representative Fred Upton and State Representative John Proos.