Myrtle Beach junior police academy graduates go back-to-school shopping with uniformed heroes

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Before 20 youths moved through the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s junior academy on Friday, they stocked up essentials.

All were given a $200 back-to-school Walmart voucher and spent the day loading up on supplies and new clothes alongside their uniformed heroes.

Over the 10-day program, participants visited local colleges, observed mock crime scenes, learned how to lift fingerprints and experienced other details that go into being a police officer.

“I learned the equipment a SWAT officer uses. I learned difference kinds of dogs that a K-9 officer might use,” said eighth grader Mier Waldner. “And I learned a lot about CSI.”

Zachary Seppi, school resource officer at Myrtle Beach Elementary, said the program means just as much to those who serve as mentors.

“We have some repeat kids coming back. And they remember from last year their officers. They’re like, ‘oh is this officer going to be here, can I get paired with this officer?’ They love it,” Seppi said.

Cadet Malaysia Davis said the cadet program has taught her discipline.

“Junior Police Academy it has taught me a lot of things. This year it taught me everything has a deeper meaning to it… you just have to take the time to learn it,” Davis said.

* * *

Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter , Facebook or Instagram , and read more of her work here .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.