Testimonials
 

"  Hi. I am a CPFTA graduate and first of all I want to thank all the instructors for being there for me when I needed them. I would like to especially thank Officer Chester, who is one of the most understanding people in this program. I attended Harold Washington College and now I attend High Tech Institute of Sacramento. I want to wish luck to new- comers and let them know that this academy needs motivated people who give 110 percent in what they do. Those kind of people have an easy life and know what they want.  "

   Edisa Rahmanovic, CPFTA Class of 2005
   Schurz High School

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"  I have always wanted to be a police officer. So when I found out that I could get hands-on experience in high school, I jumped at the chance. During the two years that I was involved with the CPFTA I learned a lot. We went on trips to test our navigational and physical skills, we learned about laws and their many different classifications, we met amazing people who had many years of on-the-job experiences and were great officers like Officer Chester and Officer Snelling. We were pushed to condition our bodies and then pushed some more, and we were motivated and inspired and encouraged by everyone for the path we had chosen. CPFTA is a great way to get on the road to success when interested in law enforcement. It will change your life.  "
   Angelica Dobynes, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2005
   Manley Career Academy

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"  I have been accepted to Loyola University’s pre-med program for the fall of 2008. However, before I transfer I will be receiving my associate’s degree in science, at Wright College this spring. Currently, I am employed at Northwestern memorial hospital.

I would like to thank CPFTA for providing me with motivation and positive direction. Ironically, I did not choose to pursue a career in the fire department nor the police force. Nevertheless, I learned the importance of community activism and networking from the many lectures given by Commander Perry. Most importantly, I gained the confidence to embrace leadership roles and established higher standards of work ethic.

I absorbed all the advice given by Commander Perry and applied it to college, where I maintained a 3.4 GPA, wrestled on the varsity wrestling team, became a high ranking member of The Student Government Association, was selected to participate in the 2006 Salzburg, Austria international study abroad seminar, was awarded the spirit award for 2006, lobbied for Wright College in the 2007 National Student Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C., and helped co-found the new Wilbur Wright Student Coffee Shop. Through all these activities and achievements, I remembered the advice given by Commander Perry, “When you speak to any person look at them dead in eyes, speak with confidence, make your presence known, write down your goals and how you will accomplish them, do not wait for opportunity to come to you go out and find it.”

These simple words inspired me to seek my own opportunities and pursue my goal of becoming a doctor. I acknowledge that I face a lengthy and challenging path but I am prepared to meet and my obstacles with absolute determination and resilience.  "

   Ricardo Aranda, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2005
   Lane Tech High School

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"  The website is great. I was in the second class of the CPFTA program. In my class, I believe there were only 20 cadets in the program. I had a chance to attend last year’s graduation and to see so many cadets in the program made me feel so happy. The CPFTA program is really successful. Joining the program was the best thing I did in high school. I miss all of the teachers and officers that helped me to be a better person. To all cadets, good luck!  "

   Terrell Walsh, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2001
   Chicago Vocational Career Academy

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"  I am currently enrolled in Olive Harvey College majoring in Nursing. The CPFTA program really inspired me to want to help people. Officer Paul Chester, who I still keep in contact wit h today, was my biggest inspiration. Both the Police Academy and Fire Academy were fun but, the Police Academy was my favorite part.  "

   Felicia Ross, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2005
   Harper High School

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"  I graduated from the CPFTA program in 2005. I started the program my sophomore year of high school and continued through my graduation from Brother Rice High School. The two years I spent in the CPFTA were two of the most influential years of my life.

I am currently a Junior Administration of Criminal Justice and Sociology major at Bradley University. Thanks to the college credit courses I took through the CPFTA program I now have the potential to graduate early and pursue my career goal sooner, becoming a federal law enforcement officer. My ultimate goal is to become a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and I have already begun the application process.

I would not have the discipline and focus that I have now, were it not for the Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy. The training that I received at both the Police and Fire academy, more specifically the Police academy, has given me the necessary tools I will need to have a successful career in law enforcement and succeed in today’s society. The relationships that I formed while in this program have given me the motivation to continue pursuing my goal. Even though my goal doesn’t involve becoming a Chicago Police Officer, my heart will always remain with the Chicago Police Academy. I take great pride in every opportunity I have to describe my experiences I had at 1300 West Jackson Blvd. I encourage any high school student interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement to participate in this program.

The person who guided me the post throughout my entire CPFTA career was Officer Chester. He stayed hard on me the most and expected nothing but my best and this motivation carried over onto my everyday responsibilities now. I must give special thanks to him and his team of "guardian angels."  "

   Larry Watson, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2005
   Brother Rice High School

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"  I graduated from the CPFTA program in 2002, and since then I have gone on to get my EMT and Paramedic license. I don’t think this would have been possible without the scholarship I received that paid for both. I have worked several jobs in the fire service and I have been full time as a firefighter/paramedic in Hazel Crest for over a year. I definitely have to thank all the instructors as well as administrators who gave me the tools and the confidence to pursue my life-long dream of becoming a firefighter.  "

   Ron Robinson, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2002
   De La Salle High School

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"  I wanted to say thank you for giving us the opportunity to help others for such a good cause.  "

   Irene Mendez, CPFTA Cadet Class of 2008
   Kelly High School