53 Tewksbury Students Graduate From Sheriff's Youth Safety Program

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the office of the Middelsex County Sheriff.)

proudly recognized the Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury and Wilmington graduates of the 2012 Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) on Friday, Aug. 17.

The ceremony, which recognized more than 200 children ages 9-11, was held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Training Academy in Billerica. Of those who attended the academy this week, 50 cadets were from Chelmsford, 40 were from Lowell, 53 were from Tewksbury and 64 were from Wilmington.

This is the 13th year of the free academy. The eight-week academy is funded through revenues generated by the sheriff’s civil process division. Each week, youngsters from 2-4 communities attend the academy with a graduation ceremony each Friday.

“These are eight of the very best days I get to spend each year,” said Koutoujian of the graduations.

During Friday’s graduation ceremony, Sheriff Koutoujian addressed the cadets about the importance of using what they learned during the week-long camp to help keep themselves and others safe. He also talked to them about teamwork, self-esteem and role models, pointing to their parents, as well as the police officers, firefighters, sheriff’s department personnel and elected officials they met during the week.

Over the course of the week cadets were taught basic first aid skills and fire safety, participated in team-building exercises, were able to tour their local police and fire departments and took part in a series of demonstrations.

Friday’s graduation ceremony was attended by police and fire officials, as well as by elected and appointed leaders from the communities.

More than 1,700 children from nearly 30 Middlesex communities were expected to participate in this
year’s Middlesex Sheriff’s Office YPSA program.