Lake Michigan College graduate Sarah Lighthart is among 21 top students who will receive $1,000 college scholarships to encourage their pursuit of law enforcement/public safety careers by the professional public safety officers of the Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP).
Lighthart is pursuing a degree in biochemistry with a concentration in Forensic Science at Cedar Crest College. Her father is a Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy and her grandfather was a Berrien County Undersheriff.
“With this scholarship, I will be able to further my chances at gaining employment at a federal law enforcement agency (preferably the FBI) and at passing the Foreign Service Officers Exam to gain employment in a United States embassy overseas (preferably Russia or a country in the Middle East) as a Public Service Officer,” wrote Lighthart in her scholarship application. “The LEEP Dream Scholarship will more easily allow me to achieve my ultimate dream of helping my country be safer than ever before.”
Lighthart volunteered for the Berrien County Motor Unit Sheriff’s Run and Hospice at Home Parade details. The Niles Senior High graduate was dual-enrolled through Early College Academy. She was in marching band, Phi Theta Kappa, Key Club, tennis team, Spanish Club and Rotary Club. She was historian and treasurer for Business Professionals of America (BPA) and worked as a 2012 Presidential Election Inspector. As a BPA officer, she qualified for state competition twice and national competition once.  wrote Michele Clement, BPA Advisor, in a letter of recommendation. “She has always been a student that I could count on and even though she is extremely busy she makes time to fulfill her duties,” wrote Michele Clement, BPA advisor, in a letter of recommendation.
In its ninth year, LEEP has awarded some $102,000 in Dream Scholarships to students showing a demonstrated interest in public service/law enforcement careers. The non-profit public safety group’s scholarship program is made possible by a growing list of national supporters.
Visit leepusa.com for more information about LEEP programs.