The 18th class of Bossier Sheriff Young Marines graduated tonight at the Bossier Sheriff’s Substation, 2510 Viking Drive in Bossier City.
The graduating class consisted of 43 recruits who finished 13 weeks of training, which included rank structure, wilderness survival, physical training exercises, team building skills and a big dose of self confidence. The Bossier Sheriff’s Office was the first law enforcement agency in North Louisiana to implement the program, which began with its initial class of recruits on December 7, 2002. That first class had 26 kids.
The Young Marines curriculum is a national program founded in 1958 and is the official youth program of the United States Marine Corps. Tonight’s ceremony featured the Young Marines showing off some of the ceremonial skills they have learned, as well as the reception of awards and promotions. Billy Montgomery of the Bossier Parish Police Jury was the guest speaker.
“Most of the Young Marines graduate with a new-found sense of confidence,” said Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen. “That’s what the program is really all about.”
Four awards were presented this evening, including the Academic Award, which went to Hunter Caban. The Physical Fitness Award went to John Gay, III. The Most Improved Award was given to Jay McManis and the Honor Graduate was Preston Maynor.
Tonight’s graduates included: Adam Alexander, Alfred Allen, Nicholas Ancelin, Charrisse Blackshire, Arthur Brenner, III, Hunter Caban, Darius Carpenter, Dylan Carpenter, Christian Chapel, Cornell Clark, III, Manuel Cook, Quadravion Dawson, Ebone’ Devereaux, Cody Dinkins, Hunter Dinkins, Kolby Fisher, Casey Flanagan, Jerry Fleming, Jr., Dade Ford, Ryan Free, John Gay, III, Justin Heard, Michael Heard, Robert Logan Hitch, Andrew Janiszcak, Jr., Lorenzo Johnson, Kenneth Lloyd, Ashelle Macon, Preston Maynor, Jay McManis, Shavargo Metcalf, Tyler Nichenko, Aaron Overvold, Thomas Pinckard, Matthew Schweitzer, Nicolaus Simon, SirJustin Sneed, Desmon Stromile, Savannah Talbert, Christopher C. Taylor, Ja’mal White and Rickey Williams.
The Young Marines program is open to all Bossier Parish youth, ages 8-17, and is sponsored and administered by Deen and the Bossier Sheriff’s Office. Applications are now being accepted for the next class which begins on June 19th. For more information on how to enroll your child, contact Sgt. Norman Craig or Major Don Burling at 318-965-3500.