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Law Enforcement Academy Students Honored for Special Olympics Support, Tradition Continues

Ferris State UniversityStudents from Ferris State University’s Law Enforcement Academy continued their support of the Michigan Special Olympics program, during the Spring 2018 semester, as they participated in the Polar Plunge fundraising event for MSO Area 5 on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Pat Rosales, the area director for MSO, said she challenged these students on Thursday, Jan. 11 at the Grand Traverse Resort, when the LEA was honored for its $1,000 donation made in September 2017, in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Rosales said the LEA took the opportunity to make a strong response, financially and physically.

“Even though the lack of ice on Chippewa Lake, this year, meant our plungers had to use a pool, the academy students came through, like always,” Rosales said. “The LEA’s $2,360 gift was second to the amount collected by our Area 5 Bulldog team of athletes and volunteers, and they kept up their tradition of presenting a pushup routine, which delights our Polar Plunge audience.”

LEA Coordinator Cecil Queen said they had complete participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and many of them were on hand in Chippewa Lake for the Polar Plunge.

“The academy students adore the Special Olympians and understand that MSO survives on donations,” Queen said.  “The entire class participated in our fundraising efforts. I challenged the class to make Big Rapids a better place than when they arrived and I firmly believe that they have achieved that goal with MSO and the many additional volunteer services that they have been connected with in the community.”

Queen said an important part of the academy’s message to its students is that they be aggressive in their community service pursuits.

“The students know that policing involves never-ending community service and the academy faculty are pleased that they have learned that objective,” Queen said.


PHOTO CAPTION: A team of students from Ferris State University’s Law Enforcement Academy attended the Polar Plunge fundraising event for Michigan Special Olympics Area 5, which comprises Mecosta and Osceola counties on Saturday, Feb. 24. (From left) Raymond Van Tiem, of St. Clair; Zachary Wobrock, of Onsted; Conner Hogue, of Big Rapids; Kendrick Taylor, of Morenci; and Kyle Fite, of Canton, performed a pushup routine, a regular feature of the LEA students’ participation in the event. The LEA raised $2,360 for Special Olympics and a majority of the academy’s students attended the event in Chippewa Lake. (Photo courtesy Area 5 Special Olympics)