Mount Vernon High School students put their strength to the test

Police officers at the Mount Vernon Police Department put Mount Vernon High School students to the test during their physical education classes with the police academy physical ability examination on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The test is designed to see if participants have what it takes to be an officer.  

The physical tests consist of three parts: full body push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. Male students must complete 29 push-ups, 38 sit-ups, and finish the run in 12 minutes and 26 seconds. Female students must complete 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, and complete the run in 14 minutes and 50 seconds.   

“We’re trying to expose all of our children to career options as well as college options.” Said Meredith Jaffess, a Mount Vernon High School gym teacher. “Many kids in the community would like to become a police officer, or work for the fire department or even the armed forces. They need to be aware of what it takes physically to work in those fields and that is why we have Officer Clark and Officer Burns to educate our kids on what it takes to be a police officer.”   

Police officers demonstrated each part of the test for the students to make sure that they are doing each task correctly. Officers motivated students by cheering them on during the test and doing parts of the test with them, such as the 1.5-mile run.   

“I think what the Police Academy is doing is great,” said Tianna Patten, 11th grade student at MVHS. “It shows that there are a lot of kids who are determined to prove that they are able to do what it takes to become a police officer. A quote my coach always says is ‘pain is weakness leaving the body,’ so when you start to feel the pain it’s basically you getting stronger and better.”