Twenty-seven area young people completed the Ontario County Sheriff's Office Junior Academy after a week of hands-on activities, teamwork and learning about law enforcement.
The program was held at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua and was designed to help participants build relationships with one another and with the deputies who worked alongside them, according to the sheriff's office.
Participants took part in group challenges and shared experiences while learning about the work of the sheriff's office. Sheriff David Cirencione said the program was intended to go beyond showing young people what deputies do.
"It gave them an opportunity to try something new, work together and really get to know one another," Cirencione said. "At the same time, they got to know our deputies as people, and our deputies got to know them."
The academy ended with participants and deputies gathering for a final team huddle and shouting "family," a moment the sheriff's office said reflected the trust and connections built during the week.
The sheriff's office credited Deputy Casey Morey with developing the idea and planning the academy. Cirencione said Morey's work helped create new experiences and relationships for the 27 participants.
The agency also thanked the deputies and a sergeant who worked with participants throughout the week, along with Finger Lakes Community College for providing the venue.
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