Students also earned college credits from Tri-C and Bryant & Stratton College.
The certification qualifies students for employment in the private security industry. Additional certifications earned by the students are: CPR, first aid, automated external defibrillator and 12 sections of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The school’s Career and Technical Education program includes the OPOTA certified academy, taught by Commander Johnnie Lemons, retired Ohio State Patrol trooper. The students complete two years and the classes are a double period during each day.
A partnership with Tri-C Community College and Bryant & Stratton College grants students up to 23 Tri-C credits and up to 19 Bryant & Stratton credits.
The 15 juniors in the program earned the dispatch certification, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), first aid and CPR.
Mr. Lemons emphasizes eleven ‘Core Values’ in every aspect of the program: honesty, sense of urgency, team-oriented, professionalism, adaptability, self-discipline, performance-driven, officer safety, accountability and time management.
Meet the 2019 OPOTA certified students:Isaiah Butler will enter the US Marine Corp
Keith Harris will attend Hampton University or Central State to study business administration and then enter law school
Breya Hinton will join the National Guard and attend Central State to study forensic psychology
Claude Lewis will attend Morehouse College to study political psychology
Jericho Matheny will attend Kent State University to study forensic science
Tommy Pierce will attend Tuskegee University to study political science and pre-law
Nia Rollins will attend Tri-C and will study criminal justice
Briana Sadler will attend Central State University to study social work
Charles Stern will attend Case Western Reserve University to study forensic nursing
Alexis Williams will attend Hiram and will study engineering and criminal justice
Daijahna Williams will attend Coppin State University in Maryland to study forensic psychology and political science
La’Nay Woodson will attend Cleveland State University to study social work
The juniors who received the First Aid and CPR certifications are:Deresha Bannister, Vernon Bryant, Julia Crawford, Isaac Chevallier, Xavier Crawford, Khalia Dabney, Makayla Edison, Kyler Harris, Ethan Leegrand, Anthony Matthews-Bodie, Patricia Moore, Da’mareona, Symone Smith and Khalil Wilson.