This year at Hernando High School, students have had the fortune of gaining a new public safety class — and it has quickly become one of the most sought-after courses among students, including those from other schools.

So, what is public safety?

The public safety class allows students to learn about different law and public safety careers such as law enforcement, corrections, EMT paramedics, the military, and firefighting. Students also study crime and crime scenes — including a recent exercise last Friday, when they conducted a mock crime scene to learn how to analyze evidence and develop investigative skills.

The class is taught by Mrs. Fletcher, who brings years of experience to the program. Having taught this course before, her students are learning new and interesting things about law, crime, and public safety every day.

“I began my career at Southaven High School in education, and I have taught K9 classes, search and rescue, and community emergency response,” Fletcher said.

Not only are Hernando students enjoying the class, but students from other schools are also commuting to attend. Fletcher said about “50 percent” of her students come from outside schools, including Horn Lake, Lake Cormorant, and Southaven high schools.

So, why are so many students interested in this class? According to Fletcher, it’s because they want to serve their communities. In a world where crime and safety concerns are a daily issue, these students are giving their time and integrity to the class in hopes of making a difference in the future.

Fletcher said her students want to “keep the streets safe, keep peace within the community, they want to stabilize, and they want to prevent other violent acts or harm” — all in an effort to “serve their community in a greater capacity.”

These students continuously work hard to learn how they can contribute to their communities — whether they simply enjoy the class or hope to pursue a career in law and public safety.

Fletcher urges her students to remember one important lesson: “They can do this, but I need them to know they can do it with the highest integrity. Integrity is very important in this world, and they may not receive a thank-you from the community, but they are always making a difference every single day.”

The Public safety class seems to be in continuous popularity within the school district, the future looks bright for the new class and its students. This class will most likely continue to grow by numbers and flourish in topic with each year that passes, it’s sought after uniqueness and the education offered make students eager to sign up for the class and schools even more eager to have their students attend. I think we can all predict a bright and ever growing future for this class!