Students participate in the fire agility course, testing their physical endurance in fire safety scenarios. (Katecey Harrell/ Tyler Morning Telegraph)

WHITEHOUSE — Students aspiring to criminal justice careers had the opportunity Saturday to test their skills at the Texas Public Safety Association’s regional conference at Whitehouse High School.

“I pour so much into them, and they know I’m there for them,” said Cory Lemons, regional representative for the Texas Public Safety Association and Whitehouse ISD law and public safety instructor. “To see them compete and succeed in events like these means everything to me.”

Students from 13 schools participated in about 30 competitions across five categories, including misdemeanor and DWI traffic stops, building searches, SWAT simulations, mock crime scenes, triage challenges and agility courses.

Members of area public safety agencies served as judges, giving students the opportunity to interact with professionals in law enforcement and fire safety. The event not only allowed students to show their skills but also gave them a chance to network and explore potential careers.

Whitehouse High School’s law and safety program is helping students prepare for careers in criminal justice with a focus on career readiness. Whitehouse offers a Career and Technical Education program that includes a law and safety program with about 200 students.

In addition, the school has a Criminal Justice Club, which has grown from seven members four years ago to 60 today. It is through this club that students compete in the TPSA regional competition.

“I want to do SWAT,” said Logan Simmons, vice president of the Criminal Justice Club. “Since I was 11, I’ve known that’s what I want to do, and nothing has changed.”

Simmons said some people have tried to talk him out of his dream, saying it’s too much work or that he isn’t cut out for it. But he’s determined to pursue it.

“I don’t care. I’ll do it no matter what,” he said.

Through the Criminal Justice Club and CTE program, Logan has received mentorship from law enforcement professionals, who have encouraged him along the way.

“They always say, ‘Don’t listen to them, you can do it,’” he said. “Their support just makes me want it more.”

Though none of their families have careers in law enforcement, the students leading the Whitehouse Criminal Justice Club are eager to pursue careers in the field, whether in forensics, dispatch or law.

Junior Taryn Schutz, president of the club, has always been drawn to forensic science, crime scene processing and lab work. She was hesitant to pursue it in eighth grade, as no one in her family had a career in criminal justice, but joining the club has validated her choice and solidified her path in the field.

Junior Kaitlynn Cook, social media coordinator for the club, was initially interested in body cam footage and law enforcement but couldn’t decide whether she wanted to go into forensics or a more hands-on role, such as being a police officer.

After joining the club, she discovered she wanted to be in dispatch.

Sophomore Renna Watson, sergeant of arms for the club, said she always loved crime scene investigation but knew it wasn’t the right fit for her. Instead, her interest in writing, public speaking and communication led her to pursue legal work.

Their interests aligned with events at Saturday’s competition, such as 911 call taking, anthropology and opening and closing statements. Students were scored by judges based on specific criteria, with scores ranging from 0 to 100.

To advance to the state competition, teams had to score at least 60 points, and the top three teams in each event moved on.

“This is our second year in TPSA,” Simmons said. “We were kind of the underdogs, but we’ve come a long way. Our first year, a lot of teams made it to state, and the second year, we showed them we know what we’re doing.”