BOISE — Twelve students are celebrating graduation day, certificates in hand to mark the end of a unique educational experience.
"We are a part of the first session of I-lead; during the course of the week we learned skills and traits we will use for the rest of our lives," said student Carson Croxall.
Idaho State Police initiated the Idaho Leadership Education and Development Academy, which allows high school students to spend a week learning the ins and outs of a career in law enforcement.
"After we did some shooting, we did some SWAT, we did building clearing along with K-9 and identifying drugs," said Croxall.
It was no walk in the park; the students had to keep up with daily fitness training and various high-intensity simulations.
"If you have the mentality that you're willing to do it, you will do it right as long as you push yourself forward and have the mindset that you're going to finish and you're going to finish strong," said student Alessia Orbay.
The group started as strangers, but much like an actual police unit, they quickly became a family.
"When you go through something so mentally and physically demand, all the struggles and obstacles that you face, overcome that, and working as a team you can push each other and help build that," said student Carly Thompson.
Though the training is over the experience is enough to keep these students excited for the future.
"I love this stuff, I looked forward to stuff every day, my nervousness came from being super excited," said Croxall.
