Forty-one cadets graduated from the Montgomery County Community College Municipal Police Academy. The College held a graduation ceremony on the Blue Bell Campus June 10. Photo by Linda Johnson
Before an audience of more than 700 cheering friends and family members, 41 graduating
Montgomery County Community College Municipal Police Academy cadets stood at attention together for one last time before starting careers of public
service and protection. The College celebrated the cadets with a graduation ceremony
in the Health Sciences Center educational gym on the Blue Bell Campus June 10.
Of the graduating class members, 24 cadets were sponsored by area police departments coming into the Academy, including nine cadets, who will join the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. Eleven cadets received conditional offers upon completion of the program. The cadets were scheduled to take the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission exam June 11, the final hurdle on the path to becoming law enforcement officers.
Since 1973, the Municipal Police Academy at MCCC has been the training center for more than 4,100 cadets with a consistent graduation rate of more than 90 percent.
Kelly Strunk, Temporary Dean of Business and Professional Studies, congratulated the
cadets on all they had accomplished and reminded them that a career in law enforcement
is a commitment to service.
“You are trusted with the safety of your communities, day and night, on weekends and holidays,” she said. “You’re asked to remain resilient in the face of challenges. You understand the sacrifices this profession demands and yet you chose to be here, dedicating yourselves to the safety and well-being of others.”
Cadets go through a rigorous vetting process before entering the Academy, following by 919 hours of training and 26 exams, said Georgette Hill, ’86, Director of the Municipal Police Academy.
“You cadets were up to the challenge,” said Hill. “I’m so proud of you.”
She reminded the class to treat everyone with respect, no matter the interaction and to continue practicing their skills.
“Acquire the spirit of peace,” she said, “and thousands around you will be saved. We are here to do good. We are here to stop bad, and we are here to help people.”
Montgomery County Deputy District Attorney Kelly Lloyd told the cadets their badge
wasn’t just a symbol of power, but a symbol of trust.
“Respect is not weakness. Compassion is not weakness,” she said. “Wear the badge proudly, but humbly.”
Class valedictorian cadet Derek Smith told his classmates the decision to become a police officer is a difficult one, but the reason to put on the badge is “to make a positive difference in the world around us.”
“Every decision we make in this line of work has the potential to be picked apart
and judged,” he said. “Those decisions may alter the lives of those we serve and can
be made in a matter of seconds. Yet we must respond to every call ready to act.”
Guest speaker Sgt. Troy Senne, of the Abington Township Police Department, saluted the cadets for surviving the rigorous six months of training in the Academy.
“Today marks more than a graduation,” he said. “It marks a commitment to the most
noble and rewarding profession.”
Hill then recognized the achievements of Class 2601. Cadet Zachary Pellechia received the Sgt. James R. Miller Marksmanship Award for attaining the highest score during marksmanship training.
“You’re asked to remain resilient in the face of challenges. You understand the sacrifices this profession demands and yet you chose to be here, dedicating yourselves to the safety and well-being of others.” -Kelly Strunk, Temporary Dean of Business and Professional Studies
Cadet Brianna Knowles received the Platoon Leader Merit Award. This award is presented to the Platoon Leader in each Academy class for their commitment, work ethic, and outstanding leadership.
Cadet Anthony Woodlock received the Award of Distinction, which is presented to the
cadet in each Academy class who best demonstrates the qualities of dedication and
teamwork.
Cadet Jair Robinson received the Cpl. Brian Kozera Physical Fitness Award. The award is given to the cadet in each Academy class who has motivated others to perform at their peak abilities and has shown the highest overall standard in physical fitness. He also received the Professional Development Award, which is given to the cadet in each Academy class who has shown the greatest overall development and improvement.
Cadets Anders Kjendal & Brianna Knowles each received a $6,887 Quest for the Best
Scholarship Award from the Quest for the Best Foundation, covering their entire tuition
for the Academy. Quest provides funds and/or services “to those who are committed
to strengthening the common good of mankind.”
The Chief John J. McGowan III Memorial Scholarship Foundation Award was presented to cadet Zachary Pellechia. The McGowan family started the $2,500 scholarship fund after Chief McGowan, a former instructor at MCCC, died in a motorcycle accident in 2010.
The graduates of Class 2601 include: Todd M. Barnes, Plymouth Meeting; Luca W. Castaldi,
Coatesville; Faron Connelly, Philadelphia; Jerry Destin, Queens, NY; Jason S. Diletto,
Philadelphia; John V. Dolan, Lansdale; Connor J. Donovan, Abington; Alex S. Eisenhart,
Harleysville; John T. Esher, Havertown; Emily J. Figueroa, Philadelphia; Anthony P.
Goodman, Broomall; Eric V. Granitzski, Doylestown; Sgt. Joseph E. Grant, Philadelphia;
Jenna C. Haley, Darby; Matthew T. Herley, Philadelphia; Sgt. Gabriel M. Hernandez,
Gilbertsville; Jack R. Hughes, Harleysville; Sgt. Anders K. Kjendal, Sagamore, Ma.;
Lt. Brianna R. Knowles, Hatboro; Joseph F. McAvoy, Glenside; Staff Sgt. Michael T.
McGinley, Bensalem; Michael R. McGlinn, Philadelphia; Salvator P. McGuire, Collegeville;
Alec C. Menszak, Quakertown; Christian J. Milburn, Collegeville; Sgt. Thomas M. Pease,
Levittown; Sgt. Zachary J. Pellechia, Northampton; Ryan J. Poorman, Phoenixville;
Matthew T. Quoos, Skippack; Michael F. Roberts, Jamison; Jair M. Robinson, Philadelphia;
Alicia J. Sims, Philadelphia; Derek E. Smith, Lafayette Hill; Meghan N. Stewart, Northampton;
Nicholas P. Stierheim, Lansdowne; Sgt. Stacy L. Valdivia, Philadelphia; Austin J.
White, Collegeville; Anthony J. Williams, Philadelphia; Liam M. Witthohn, Lower Merion;
Staff Sgt. Anthony W. Woodlock, Philadelphia; and Noah R. Yost, Perkasie.
The Municipal Police Academy’s 919-hour curriculum allows successful students to articulate up to 15 credit hours toward an associate degree in Criminal Justice. The Academy is certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. Many of the Academy’s alumni serve as officers and in leadership roles throughout Montgomery County and the region. MCCC operates the Municipal Police Academy in the Health Sciences Center at the Blue Bell Campus.