By PATRICK ZANGARINE Special to Leader-Press The Copperas Cove High School Criminal Justice Club, supported with training from the Copperas Cove Police Department’s Explorer Program, competed in the Texas Public Service Association state competition Mar

By PATRICK ZANGARINE
Special to Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove High School Criminal Justice Club, supported with training from the Copperas Cove Police Department’s Explorer Program, competed in the Texas Public Service Association state competition March 30 and 31 in Klein, Texas. There were several schools throughout the state competing, with over 700 students participating in 26 different public service events. 
Copperas Cove High School had 12 students compete in 11 of the events, with Caleb Frazer taking first place honors in the Police Traffic Stop event. 
“I was really worried about placing after I heard them call out third place and then second place,” Frazer said. “I knew I had trained really hard in the event and was confident that I was going to do well. I had hoped for first place, but didn’t really expect it.” 
In addition to Caleb’s placing, students competing in Courtroom Closing Arguments and the SWAT team both received honorable mentions. 
Matthew Smith, who competed in Courtroom Closing Arguments, kept things in perspective.
“I was disappointed with not placing in the top three; however, I am looking forward to using the skills I’ve learned from Mr. (Patrick) Zangarine in the high school criminal justice program, while I participate in an internship with a local attorney this coming summer,” Smith said.
CCHS fielded its youngest team this year with seven first-time student competitors. All of the students commented how they learned valuable skills and techniques which will help them in their quest for occupations within the criminal justice field.