By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Being a “good human being” is a focus of Career Explorations classes at Union City High School.
The latest lesson for students came with an assist from the Obion County Sheriff’s Department.
Captain Scott Watkins, administrative assistant Lindsay Maddox and a handful of other sheriff’s department employees spent several days last week in the classes of Laura Bright and Travis VanHooser as part of the OCSD Junior Citizen Academy Program.
This marks the second year of the two-week program, designed to give students insight into several career opportunities in law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Department offers the classes to all Obion County high schools.
Students learned how investigations are handled and what professional skills are needed in cases involving human trafficking and drug interdiction. The examination of crime scenes and a mock trial in which class members filled roles of attorneys, judge, law enforcement, and witnesses concluded the first week.
Longtime UCHS Student Resource Officer Raphe Whaley also taught a class as part of the program, detailing his diverse role and many responsibilities and duties in that capacity.
“It’s been a great learning experience for everyone involved,” Bright said. “Student participation in lessons is always good, and our classes really became involved in not only the mock court case, but in the questions they asked about the many different roles played by our law enforcement and the possible careers there.
“Life preparation is so important for young people. This was another example of things we attempt to introduce our students to in this particular class.”