Jazmine Epperson graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Explorer Class 85 on January 29. She was one of 122 recruits who endured mental and physical training at the STARS Center in Whittier.Recruits trained every Saturday at the STARS Center for 18 weeks. The recruits come from various Law Enforcement agencies, including Long Beach, Pasadena, Monterey Park, West Covina, Huntington Park, Baldwin Park School, Pomona, Irwindale, Whittier, Bell Gardens and Montebello. During the 18-weeks, the young men and women, ages ranging from 14 to 20 years old, are taught the history of Law Enforcement and expectation of Explorers.
The program is designed to show students how to be Explorers, work with deputies and possibly embark on a law enforcement career. Recruits were given different responsibilities and were divided into groups called platoons. There were 27 recruits in each platoon. By the 4th week Jazmine was Platoon Sgt., one of eight. She was responsible for attendance and ensuring her platoon was squared away. By the 12th week, Jazmine became Class Sgt. During this time she acquired more responsibilities. If the Class Sgt. was not on point, he or she was removed from the position.
Jazmine remained Class Sgt. until graduation. What a privilege it was. Jazmine graduated as an Honor Recruit. An Honor Recruit is the individual who has demonstrated leadership traits. She was most squared away (meaning appearance was together, shoes shined, well groomed). She was at the top of the class academically. When you are Honor Recruit, you are asked back to Academy to be a Drill Instructor to train new recruits.
Jazmine is a Junior at Cerritos High School. She has been a Honor student since ninth grade and is currently enrolled in an AP class. On March 10 the City of Cerritos honored her with a Proclamation for her achievement from the Sheriff's Academy. Jazmine is the first Honor Recruit the Cerritos Sheriff's Department has ever had.
Submitted by Deborah Epperson
On February 17, Jefferson Leadership Academies held an exciting and fun filled women's basketball game. Female teachers, staff and alumni from Jefferson went head to head with the ladies of the Long Beach Police Department. The standing room only audience of students and parents cheered enthusiastically for both teams and for the excellent half-time show featuring student talent. All proceeds raised went towards the 8th grade class trip to the Museum of Tolerance. The final score was LBPD 43, Jefferson 31.Submitted by Kimberly Dalton
Assistant Principal
Jefferson Leadership Acadamies
Assistant Principal
Jefferson Leadership Acadamies
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