Skagit Valley College’s Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA) graduated 15 cadets during a ceremony held on Saturday, Dec 16.

The ceremony featured keynote speaker, William Overby, Retired Academy Commander and President of Cross Island Consulting and Training Services. There was also performances by the Bellingham Pipe Band.

PRLEA is recognized as one of only six National Park Service-approved academies in the U.S. It provides an accredited curriculum sanctioned by various federal land management agencies as a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program. Additionally, the academy is an approved training program accepted by local and state park agencies.

At the graduation ceremony, awards were presented to recognize achievements:

Firearms Proficiency Awards:

• Best Pistol Score: Zachary Jones (58/60), Edgar Larios (58/60)
• Best Reduced Light Pistol Score: Edgar Larios (58/60)
• Best Patrol Rifle Score: Hunter Barry, Edgar Larios
• Best Patrol Shotgun Score: Hunter Chapman, Zachary Jones, Edgar Larios, Evan Osburn, Santino Dewyer, Samuel Landau, Benjamin Omdal, Bethany Ward

Top Gun Awards:

• Top Gun for Mather District: Evan Osburn (2:33:40)
• Top Gun for Placement Course: Hunter Chapman (1:47:13)
• Top Gun for EVOC Course: Evan Osburn (2:33:40)
• Overall Top Gun: Hunter Chapman (2:27:22)

Physical Fitness Achievements:

• Best Overall Score (Both Male and Female): Bethany Ward
• Best Overall Score – Male: Samuel Landau
• Best Overall Score – Female: Bethany Ward

Most Improved Physical Fitness Awards:

• Most Improved – Male: Santino Dewyer (10%)
• Most Improved – Female: Bethany Ward (14.7%)

Academic Excellence:

• Highest Average Written Test Score: Haley Dowell
• Highest Overall Achievement: Evan Osburn

Special Recognition:

• Partner Award: Dane Hall, Evan Osburn
• Chief’s Award: Evan Osburn

“This graduation marks 17 weeks of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice from these cadets,” said Rick Mossman, Academy Director. “I am looking forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the years ahead for the National Parks across America.”

Previous graduates of SVC’s PRLEA have demonstrated success in securing employment with organizations, including the National Park Service, Washington State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Everett City Parks, and numerous federal, state, county, and city land management agencies.

For more information on PRLEA or to rewatch the ceremony online, visit skagit.edu/prlea.