BRAZIL – Indiana Sheriffs named Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Luke Prentice as their “Student Leader of the Year.”
“A U.S. Air Force cadet and RHIT mechanical engineering junior, Luke was selected from more than 2,000 young leaders engaged in our 2023 programming,” said Scott Minier, executive director of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch. “Student Leader of the Year” is the highest and most prestigious award we convey.”
ISYR, a privately funded 62-acre training retreat in West Central Indiana, is used by K-college students, including future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses, and victims of crime.
Minier applauded Prentice’s exceptional skills displayed while planning, deploying, and leading a two-day bivouac at ISYR for college students from DePauw, Eastern Illinois, Indiana, Indiana State, and Vincennes universities, as well as RHIT.
“Prentice’s project helped further ISYR’s relationships with higher education institutions while also developing leadership skills among those who will help protect our state and nation,” said Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse, ISYR president. “While at our rolling, wooded property and lakes, these platoons of future officers learned first aid, radio communications, land navigation, and other vital leadership skills.”
Plasse said because of Prentice’s efforts and that of his USAF faculty cadre. Sheriffs hope to invite the universities to train again at their facility. “Next year, ISYR can offer the student leaders two new cabins built by Indiana Department of Correction employees and inmates, plumbed by Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 157 of Terre Haute and sponsored by United Auto Workers Local 933 of Indianapolis and Dr. Everett Conrad, formerly of Brazil, Ind.,” Plasse said.
“Ensuring our Leadership Orientation Days ran well was important to me personally, as they give our underclassmen an introduction to many of the skills that will make them good officers in the Air Force,” Prentice said. “ISYR’s woods and lakes allowed our 100s and 200s to practice their expeditionary skills. The Sheriffs’ Lodge and Conference Center offered a great facility for cooking meals and sheltering briefly from the rainy weather.”
Prentice, 21, son of Ann and Matthew Prentice of Springfield, VA, will receive a letter of commendation for his school and military files, a keepsake plaque of appreciation, and gift cards from Terre Haute retailers and restaurants, Plasse said.
For more information on ISYR, email ScottMinier@yahoo.com or call 317-460-4242.
