Applause filled the auditorium of HIlltonia Middle School on West Mound Street Tuesday morning as about two-dozen students graduated from the Teens and Police Service Academy, or T.A.P.S.
Students walked across the state to accept their diploma and a medal before sharing a high five or a hug with the Columbus police officer who served as their mentor for the past 11-weeks.
Thirteen-year-old Mackenzie McGinnis said at first she wasn't cool with the concept of connecting with a cop.
"I thought they would be disrespectful and rude," said McGinnis. The teen had a clear memory of the first time she met Columbus Police Sergeant James Fuqua.
"I gave him attitude because I didn't want to put my phone away," said McGinnis.
"Yes," affirmed Sgt. Fuqua with a nod and a laugh.
For 11-weeks, a half dozen police officers spent time with 25 Hilltonia students in grades sixth through eighth to talk about anger and conflict management, avoiding drugs and gangs, and treating others with respect.
Sgt. Fuqua said all young people are looking for adults they can trust.
"They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care," said Sgt. Fuqua. "And we learned so much about each other."
It didn't take Sgt. Fuqua long to learn what Mackenzie tried to tell 10TV through her tears.
"It's just hard to talk about," McGinnis whispered, but the teen confided it wasn't that long ago that she was considered a school bully.
"One of the things we talked about is how it affects other people, and I don't think she ever thought of it that way. So, once she realized how it impacted other people, she really changed for the better," said Sgt. Fuqua. "She's done a 180."
Sgt. Fuqua said Mackenzie is now mentoring other students coping with bullying issues. When 10-TV asked the teen what she would do if she saw another student getting bullied, it was the only time during the interview she spoke with loud, clear force.
"I would walk up and say there's nothing wrong with this person. We're all just the same. We're all family. We should treat others the way we want to be treated. We're all the same thing, but we have different problems and you don't need to be picking on other people."
It gives new meaning to protect and serve. As 12, 13, and 14 year old kids posed for pictures wearing city issued uniform police hats, Sgt. Fuqua said he was grateful for a program that helped at-risk children see police officers as real people.
"I like to play video games just like they do, then all of a sudden they're like, oh, wow, that might be an actual career that I might think about," said Sgt. Fuqua.
T.A.P.S. is in partnership with Franklin County Juvenile Court for at-risk youth to build positive, interpersonal relationships between students and police officers. If that is the goal, mission accomplished. We observed Mackenzie with tears in her eyes several times, and she told us she will miss Sgt. Fuqua. He was quick to reassure his new friend.
"She knows I'll be around, so...we got you always, you know that, right?," Fuqua asked Mackenzie.
She responded with a nod.
True to his word, Sgt. Fuqua said he and the other officers continue to check in on former students long after the graduate from T.A.P.S.