MONTPELIER — Eighteen young men and women graduated from The American Legion Robert H. Vincelette Law Cadet Program on Friday, June 26. The graduation ceremony was the conclusion of the weeklong session at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford. Among them were local graduates Haley Boise, sponsored by Vergennes Post 14, and Jerod Felkl, sponsored by Brandon Post 55.
The program, now in its 45th year, is sponsored by the American Legion Department of Vermont in cooperation with the Vermont Police Academy, Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, Vermont Army National Guard, and various law enforcement agencies. The Cadets were sponsored by 12 American Legion Posts across the state.
The program was started by Robert Vincelette when he was Vermont Department Commander in 1971. The current chairman of the Law Cadet Program is Tom Scanlon, Post 27 in Middlebury. He and many other dedicated Legionnaires have supported this effort over the past years.
Fred Latour, Vermont American Legion Department commander elect; Richard Gauthier, director of the Vermont Police Academy; and Chief George Merkel, Vergennes Police Department, addressed the cadets and their families and friends.  They congratulated the cadets and praised their performance and accomplishments over the past week. The graduates were encouraged to apply the problem-solving and teamwork skills they had developed during the week in activities in service to others, including careers in law enforcement. Commander Fred Latour presented their certificates to the graduating cadets.
Cadets John Consiglio and Christina Roberts were presented the Robert H. Vincelette Spirit Award for their outstanding participation in the 2015 session.
Vermont’s Law Cadet training program is one of The American Legion’s community and youth-oriented programs intended to develop patriotism and loyalty in our citizens of tomorrow.