HHS students get glimpse of professions
Staff reporter
For three afternoons a week, Hillsboro High School senior Brittany Davis' classroom is a police car.
Like other HHS seniors, Davis is faced with important decisions — particularly following graduation.
One way to help seniors decide their future is through the school's independent study program.
This semester, 29 seniors are taking the class by being matched with mentors within the community.
Davis is one of those seniors.
She rides with Hillsboro police officers approximately four hours per week, and observes their work.
Hillsboro Police Chief Dan Kinning said his department has been participating in the class since he's been chief, eight years ago.
Davis "shadows" officers, usually assistant police chief Jessey Hiebert, during her class time, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.
"She observes the police work," Kinning said.
So why would a teen want to spend part of her afternoon with cops?
"I like law enforcement," Davis said. "I want to be a lawyer and want to see the process."
Hillsboro High School Principal Dale Honeck explained how the program worked.
"The purpose of the program is to give seniors a chance to choose a career activity," he said.
Students are responsible for finding a mentor in a field they are interested. If the mentor is willing to supervise the student, which includes grades every nine weeks, and the activity is approved, the student can take the class as part of the eight classes in a semester.
"Some students take the independent study class for the entire school year, some do a semester at a time," Honeck said.
Seniors at HHS are only required to take two classes — English and government. The other six classes are electives.
For Davis and the Hillsboro Police Department, she presented a cover letter and resume to Kinning.
Davis and her parents were required to sign numerous waivers (many involving confidentiality) regarding the teen being a part of the department.
"All we ask of Brittany is to do what she's told and not be a burden," Kinning said, referring to the importance of keeping her out of harm's way.
If Davis is riding with an officer and a situation arises that may be potentially dangerous, she is let out at the curb.
Another important aspect of the class is for the students to be dependable and take the class seriously.
So, what does Davis like the most about her class?
"Traffic stops," she said. "It's exciting when we pull people over."
Davis said she was surprised by the "weird" phone calls from people about stray cats and dogs and trees hanging over fences.
With this experience, Davis is gaining more knowledge about the inner workings of law enforcement, police duties, and paperwork. She plans to ride some evenings and weekends to get a feel for law enforcement after dark.
Davis said she would like to go to law school at the University of Kansas but is undecided about where she will attain her general education.
She is the daughter of Tammy and Kurt Shaw of Hillsboro and Bud Davis of Canton.
The program is an asset for HPD, Kinning said, because it gives the police department an opportunity for positive contact with HHS and students.
Since Kinning and his department have been participating in the program, he is aware of at least two students who went into law enforcement.
Honeck said of the 29 students in the program, seven work within the school district and 13 have off-campus supervisors.
Independent study class have included local churches, Tabor College, Hillsboro Community Medical Center, A Cut Above, and Cooperative Grain and Supply.
"It's a good opportunity for students to have a mentoring experience," Honeck said, and help them decide what road they might want to take.
