Did you know that most K-9 handlers are multilingual, working with canine officers who respond to commands in foreign languages?

Just before winter break, members of CA’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and SAR (Search and Rescue) clubs met with members of the Raleigh Police Department’s Special Operations Division at Dix Park. There, they learned about the specialized roles that K-9 and SWAT officers play in serving the community and the training officers in those units receive.

Director of Safety and Security, Jeff Wacenske, accompanied CA’s CERT and SAR clubs on December 19, 2019 for presentations from the RPD’s Selective Enforcement Unit and K-9 units. Captain J.A. Taylor of RPD’s Special Operations Division assisted in coordinating and conducting the presentations.

SEU’s Officer Hogan showed the students what equipment is routinely carried in a SWAT officer’s patrol vehicle and shared what a typical day is like for SWAT. He also discussed the “not-so-typical” specialty requests they receive, including: serving drug search warrants, dignitary protection, barricaded subjects, high-risk arrest warrant service.

The K-9 unit’s Sergeant Hoyle explained how extensive the training of a K-9 is and how RPD goes about acquiring a K-9. Demonstrations were held on how a K-9 conducts an article search and person search. Sergeant Hoyle also shared that part of the K-9 training includes protecting the handler, in the event that the police officer is being assaulted. He revealed that, in most cases, the commands a handler gives to their K-9 are in a foreign language.

In both instances, students had the opportunity for a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of crisis and emergency response careers.

CA’s CERT program trains students to prepare for emergencies in their communities. CERT students also help with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.

Upper School students gathered in the quad on Monday for their annual club fair. Over twenty student-led clubs and organizations were present, each one encouraging fellow students to pursue a long-held passion, or perhaps even discover a new one.

“Most clubs are almost entirely conducted by the students,” says director of experiential learning Michael McElreath. “The faculty supports them, of course, but the clubs don’t exist without the student’s passion and drive. Since we put more emphasis on student leadership, campus involvement has flourished, and the joy and creativity fostered by the kids in their respective clubs definitely has a spillover effect into other aspects of their lives on campus. For many students, the clubs are a way to find their ‘niches’ at Cary Academy.”

In accordance with Cary Academy’s dedication to fostering a diverse level of interests in its student body, the club fair displayed a wide range of subjects, from competitive robotics to step team to indoor track.

“I joined the step team in ninth grade, and I’ve had such an amazing experience,” says Oyinlola Iowal ’20. “In fact, I met my best friend through step.”

Many clubs even seek to combine many interests into a single, immersive learning experience, such as the World-building Club, which challenges students to create their own fictional worlds, complete with unique atmospheres, societies, and political systems.

“World-building blends elements from a variety of subjects, including physics, language, biology, political science, and even astronomy,” says Sam Dietrich ’20. “Even you if you don’t have an interest in writing fiction, there’s something for everyone.”

In addition to providing a wealth of creative outlets, Cary Academy’s clubs also seek to foster a sense of community amongst every demographic of its students, such as the African-American Affinity Group, a club that seeks to unify Cary Academy’s black student population.

“It’s an honor to be a part of one of the oldest clubs at Cary Academy,” says the club’s president, Mesha Mumford ’20. “We promote interdisciplinary discussion on a wide variety of current issues that affect our community, all while uplifting one another.”

No matter the focus of the club, each student organization adds its own unique flavor to life at Cary Academy.

“There’s a lot of diversity in what we do,” says John Kesler ’20, a member of the robotics team. “I program, others build, but we’re all equally important, and none of us can succeed without the other.”

written by Communications Intern Caroline Diorio.