It's a proud night for New London Police Youth Academy grads, their families

New London - As she walked across the stage Monday night to receive her graduation certificate from the New London Police Department Youth Academy, Jennifer Portella looked to her mother and sister, the people she says she "does it all for."

"I've changed from September to now, I see myself as more aware. I want to be a corrections officer or a nurse in a corrections facility," Portella, a high school senior, said. "My mom never went to college, and we weren't sure how to pay for it, so I have to take advantage of all the opportunities I'm given."

She in the process of completing her EMT and nursing certifications. Editor's note: This corrects information in an earlier version.

Portella is one of 22 New London High School students who were part of "Academy 1" - the first class to complete the 10-week youth police academy.

Not only has the after-school program encouraged the group of young adults to think about a career in law enforcement, it has also had positive effects on the school's climate, the students' attitudes and their report cards, New London police Officer Max Bertsch said.

"Your grades are better and most of you have made honor roll," Bertsch said. "Students are stepping forward to prevent altercations and we have had no altercations in the almost 1,000-student cafeteria this year. You have no idea how much positive energy you've brought to this building."

City officials, school board members, current and former teachers and staff, friends and family gathered in the school's lecture hall to celebrate the graduation.

"I couldn't be more proud of these students if they were my own children," New London police Chief Margaret Ackley said of the graduating class.

When the 10-week academy began last September, students were expected to build positive relationships with New London police officers, learn leadership skills by participating in various teamwork activities, become mentors to their classmates and expand their vocabulary.

Each class included discussions and a practical skill session, where students get to use what they've learned in class. Skill sessions ranged from motor-vehicle stops, driver simulation in which the student engages in a pursuit and responding to mock domestic violence calls. Students have also observed K-9 demonstrations and studied search-and-seizure laws, use of force, crimes involving juveniles, gang violence and police procedures.

A six-year police officer for the city, Bertsch conducted the academy and is also the school's resource officer.

"This has become the most rewarding part of my career," Bertsch said. "You've learned life skills that can be applied to any career path, and we've started to bridge the gap between adults and youth in this community."

In the audience were academy graduate Nicholas Rose's mother and sister. His mother, Janet, screamed the loudest of all parents when her son's name was called.

"He's come around 110 percent. He's grown up a lot. He's become a young man and I'm so proud to call him my son," she said. "This class has been a great influence on him."

The graduating students were Tajarel Alexander, Christopher Barretto, Sean Bressler, Joshua Burgess, Dominic Cruz, Marcus Delgado, Nicolas Galarza, Lisbeth Guzman, Willmer Hilario, Nathan Medina, Alicia Mejia, William Norton, Carolina Pena, Natasha Pena, Jennifer Portella, Gentian Preka, Seidy Quijano, Shaela Rattley, Nicholas Rose, Tyler Talaba, Lorraine Velez and Brandon Woodhouse.

j.hanckel@theday.com