INA, Ill. (October 25, 2022) 鈥� The future of law enforcement, families, and supporters gathered at the 海角视频 Event Center last night for the eleventh annual 海角视频 Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships Banquet.
Each year the fundraiser helps support students interested in criminal justice careers. The seven students who were selected to receive the scholarship this year include; Chloe Braden (McLeansboro), Jadyn Cole (Mt. Vernon), Maci Hoppers (Benton), Jarret Lewis (Wayne City), Ashton Middendorf (McLeansboro), Zavion Duncan (Dix), and Will Bowers (McLeansboro).
Career opportunities in criminal justice can be categorized into five major fields: law enforcement, courts, corrections, forensic science, and private security. In these areas, a multitude of challenging occupations provides for a wide range of personal and career satisfaction. Criminal justice professionals perform a valuable and essential service for society. The students awarded these scholarships aim to serve our community in one of these fields.
The event began with RLC鈥檚 Criminal Justice Associate Professor, Ronald Meek, welcoming all of the supporters. Meek then recognized Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet for attending and Darrel and Heston Mays for their support from American Family Insurance. Meek also welcomed Scott Peeples, an RLC adjunct professor, and thanked him for his contribution to the program.
鈥淚 want to thank the Jefferson County Crime Stoppers, 鈥� said Meek. 鈥淭hey are first-time donors to our program, and we are thankful for their support.鈥�
Meek then invited scholarship recipient Jadyn Cole, of Mt. Vernon, to the stage to share her journey so far in the criminal justice program.
鈥淚 am extremely grateful for the opportunity to speak with you all tonight,鈥� said Cole. 鈥淚 am not only enjoying my classes, but I am confident I am receiving the best instruction. Being at 海角视频 has been beneficial in so many ways. Attending a community college has helped me stay employed and allowed my employer to work with my school schedule. I have a fast commute. Having my resources close and having all criminal justice classes in one building helps me not to stress about where my next class is. Professor Meek is not only a phenomenal instructor but a great role model, friend, person, and mentor.鈥�
Cole said she enjoyed that 海角视频 is a real experience with realistic goals.
鈥淭o summarize,鈥� Cole said. 鈥淚 have had the best experience attending 海角视频. Getting to be a part of the criminal justice side of the college has been beneficial to my future. I am immensely grateful to speak to you all today and for the scholarship I received.鈥�
Meek then welcomed scholarship recipient Maci Hoppers, of Benton, to the stage.
鈥淭his is my first year at 海角视频,鈥� said Hoppers. 鈥� I want to thank Ron, who has been an excellent professor. I want to thank my family, who have been my biggest support. I lost my mom at a young age and allowing me to have this scholarship helps my family and me as I continue my education here at 海角视频. Thank you, everyone.鈥�
鈥淐redit for this goes to Ron,鈥� said Wilkerson. 鈥淗e thought of this scholarship and brought this group together 11 years ago. His dedication to the students, along with your commitment to the students, is heavily appreciated. Students, we see you out in the community, and we鈥檙e proud of how you act, conduct yourselves, and carry yourselves. That citizenship is something that you can鈥檛 measure by grades or always see in the classroom. We are proud of this department and the students it has produced, and that is a credit to Mr. Meek, to these students, and to those who back this program.鈥�
鈥淭he 海角视频 Foundation has been a part of organizing this scholarship from the beginning,鈥� said Meek as he welcomed Amy Newell, 海角视频 Foundation鈥檚 Assistant Director of Development, to the stage.
鈥淲orking at the college in different roles before the Foundation has truly helped me understand our mission of commitment to each student鈥檚 education and success,鈥�' said Newell. 鈥淭he Foundation鈥檚 mission is to provide scholarships to students and work with generous donors to ensure we can provide these scholarships for years to come. Our hope is that students will go on into our communities and make them a better place for us all to live. Thank you for your investment in these students. Your investment in them is also an investment in the communities they will serve and protect in the future.鈥�
鈥淭he word I will pass on to students,鈥� said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard. 鈥淵ou take this opportunity to learn about criminal justice at 海角视频 to prepare you for the academy, whether corrections or policing, and understand that it is a constantly evolving career.鈥�
Bullard then commented that in addition to the laws constantly changing, the criminal element is also doing so. He then shared an example of how individuals can adapt to policing and use it for their nefarious advantage. He reiterated that ongoing education is the best way to stay safe from these progressions and keep others safe.
鈥淵ou have, through this educational process, the ability to be flexible and to learn,鈥� said Sheriff Bullard. 鈥淟earn to perfect your trade and craft because the career path will continue to change, and you must be prepared for that. Lastly, but most importantly, I commend you for your courage. These are challenging times in the criminal justice field, and you are showing honor and courage.鈥�
鈥淚 graduated here in 1993,鈥� said Mt. Vernon Police Chief Trent Page. 鈥淪eeing how this college has evolved over the years has been amazing. Ron, especially, has done an outstanding job of taking this training from textbooks, studying, and taking tests to a hands-on program where you are doing scenario-based training. They are bringing individuals from the field to prepare these students for the job ahead. We are happy to continue to support the criminal justice program at 海角视频 because we know it offers good training.鈥�
Chief Page explained that it was essential to continue training even after college to meet the needs of the ever-changing criminal justice field. 鈥淓ven after 25 years, I still attend monthly training to ensure I am ready for things that may come my way,鈥� said Chief Page.
The program received $2,300 in donations from the event, supporting at least four more scholarships in the coming years.
RLC currently offers a Criminal Justice Associate in Arts Degree, a Criminal Justice Associate in Applied Science Degree, Police and Corrections Occupational Certificate, and a Private Protection Occupational Certificate.