A well adjusted student, and talented post player on the Panorama basketball team, Maddi McNeill is a fairly typical high school junior. As part of her internship with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, McNeill has been made aware firsthand of harsh realities of life that other high school students may be sheltered from. “There’s a lot of drugs going around, and drugs are increasing in our community.”

McNeill says she’s done a lot during her internship, including hitting the road with every deputy. “I ride along in the car with everyone of them. I went with Deputy Kent (Gries) one night, so that was fun.”

McNeill entered the internship with a moderate interest in pursuing a law enforcement career. After shadowing deputies, and seeing the difference they can make in a community, McNeill thinks she might be hooked. “I think it’s really interesting to get into this field, and really learn about what goes on in our community, and how bad the crime is.”

The Sheriff’s Office internship program is available to students all around Guthrie County, and has so far included students from Panorama, Guthrie Center and Adair-Casey High schools.