Staff writer
For three hours a day, Kaylenn Miller breaks from life at Centre High School to spend time at the county jail.
Miller wants to help troubled youth as a correctional counselor, and the first steps toward that goal come as work-study for the sheriff’s department.
“I don’t really go to school,” she said. “I like it, but I feel like I miss out on being with my friends.”
Communications Director Linda Klenda said the time away will help Miller down the road.
“This’ll give her a really good perspective on what she’s going to be looking forward to,” Klenda said.
Miller began her work-study with the school year, already changing pre-conceived ideas she had about law enforcement.
“I don’t think of it the same,” she said. “I was always scared of cops, but they’re really not scary.”
Miller currently works in the front office with office manager Sarah Cope, filing records for dispatch, but once she turns 18 in November, she will begin work in corrections.
Miller said the work study program is a great asset.
“ She’s doing a great job,” Cope said. “For kids to see the inner-workings of it is pretty hands-on.”