Blount County Sheriff James Berrong announced that 16 Blount County middle school students were chosen to participate in the 2006 Citizen’s Youth Academy sponsored by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
The Citizen’s Youth Academy is scheduled for May 30 through June 2. The students were chosen from each of the four county middle schools. The schedule was designed for the purpose of teaching students the different aspects of law enforcement. A schedule of events is attached.
This is the sixth year the Sheriff’s Office has held the Citizen’s Youth Academy. It was started as a way to involve young people in Sheriff’s Office activities, and to give them an overview and a better understanding of what a career in law enforcement involves. Citizen’s Youth Academy is a scaled-down version of our 11 week Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy.
On Wednesday, May 31 from 8 to 11 a.m., students will attempt to drive a golf cart while wearing Fatal Vision ® simulator goggles. These specially designed goggles simulate the visual impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs. Viewing through the goggles is clear, but confusing to the mind. The wearer experiences a loss of equilibrium, which is one of the effects of intoxication. This demonstrates how quickly impairment can turn fun into devastation. Research has shown that the lesson sticks, and that hands-on experience allows participants to retain two to four times more than those who learn from just listening or seeing.
The students have a lot of fun with the Fatal Vision ® goggles demonstration, and it always makes for great photos.
Another great visual activity takes place on Tuesday, May 30. From 12:30 to 3 p.m., students will experience the ropes course challenge at the Sheriff’s Office range located off Honeysuckle Road in west Blount County. The ropes course challenge is a combination of high and low ropes courses which enable participants to grow both as a team and on individual levels, exploring risk, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and coaching.
Sheriff James Berrong will welcome any media coverage you’d like to give the Citizen’s Youth Academy. He thinks this is one of the most important tools that the Sheriff’s Office has to reach young people in our area. If you are interested in covering the Fatal Vision ® goggles demonstration, the ropes course challenge or any of the other activities, please call me at 273-5110 or 755-8640.

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