For the 21 cadets from the Class of 21-01 graduating from Montgomery County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy, it was a moment to reflect, smile and salute one another, as they said goodbye and begin a life of noble service to the community.

About 150 friends and family members gathered inside Parkhouse Hall on MCCC’s Blue Bell Campus for the June 16 evening ceremony, which began with the Lower Merion Township Police Department Color Guard followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Police Officer Samantha Smith of the East Norriton Township Police Department.

Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President, Montgomery County Sheriff and College Trustee, Sean Kilkenny and Dr. Gloria Oikelome, MCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, each congratulated and thanked the graduates for the important role they will perform in the community.

“At a time when as a nation we are seeking ways to come together, remember your commitment to serve, to protect,” said Dr. Oikelome. “Remember that more often than not, you can best defend yourself by your actions and not necessarily your words. You are the next generation of law enforcement. We are relying on you to model the values the College has instilled in you. We are proud of your accomplishments and we look forward to seeing what you will do in the future.”

Georgette Hill, Municipal Police Academy Director, began by thanking the law enforcement community for its continued support of the program. She gave special recognition to those departments which have directly sponsored the program or hired several of the graduates including the Abington Township Police Department, Norristown Police Department and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

“Thank you for your support and continued support of this academy,” she said.

The graduates of Class 21-01 are: Lt. James Tyler, West Chester; Staff Sgt. Jordan Turner, West Chester; Sgt. Jacquelyn Engler, Warminster; Sgt. Noah Mascio, North Wales; Jacob Bossert, Pottstown; Todd Cappiello, Doylestown; Heather Carnivale, Middletown; Christian Flynn, Limerick; Orenda Geller, Lower Moreland; Jakob Henze, New Britain; Daniel Lopez, Fleetwood, Pa.; Kyle Manger, Harleysville; David Matozzo, Blue Bell; James McIlwain, Royersford; Mitchell Meed, Upper Dublin; Sean Orrison, Pottstown; Anthony Pratt, Bensalem; Erica Robbins, Perkasie; Michael Rubas, Harleysville; Andrew Stahl, Southampton; and John Tomaszewski, Pipersville.

Officer Ritchie Webb, of the Bristol Borough Police Department, who served as the Academy’s defensive tactics instructor, and was selected by the cadets as this year’s guest speaker, reminded them of the weight of the task ahead.

“Police work is more challenging than ever before and the world we live in is far from perfect,” he said. “Every day that you put on your uniform, you have the opportunity to showcase the best in policing. Accept the enormity of that responsibility.”

Hill later recognized the accomplishments of the Class of 21-01, including the valedictorian and several special awards. Class valedictorian, Cadet John Tomaszewski, achieved a 94 percent grade point average in the 27 written exams over 24 weeks (919 hours) of training. The Sgt. James R. Miller Marksmanship Award was given to Cadets Mitchell Meed and Todd Cappiello, who scored an overall 97.79 percent and 97.71 percent average, respectively, using three weapon systems. The Spirit of Distinction award went to two cadets -- Christian Flynn and Heather Carnivale. Cadet Erica Robbins earned the Professional Development Award and the Platoon Leader Merit Award went to Class Lieutenant James Tyler.

During his remarks, Tomaszewski reminded his classmates that while they enter the police department during challenging times, theirs is still a noble profession.

“We will continue to bridge the gap between the police and the community,” he said

In a prerecorded message, Scott McGowan, on behalf of the McGowan family, presented the $2,500 Chief John J. McGowan III Memorial Scholarship to Cadet Orenda Geller. The McGowan family started the scholarship fund in memory of their husband/father, Chief John J. McGowan, III, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2010. The scholarship is awarded annually to a cadet who has completed the program and is financing his or her tuition and has been helpful to many cadets over the years.

Lastly, Tyler and Cadet Sean Orrison each received a $2,500 Quest for the Best Scholarship Award. Quest strives for a better tomorrow by providing funds and/or services to those who are committed to strengthening the common good of mankind.

Since 1973, the Police Academy has been the training center for more than 3,500 cadets with a consistent graduation rate of more than 90 percent. The 919-hour curriculum allows successful students to articulate up to 15 credit hours toward an associate’s 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.