In December, two college students from Hastings--Tyler Miller and AJ Jaeger-- received scholarships from the Hennepin County Sheriff Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to college students who have high GPAs and are attending an accredited college in Minnesota to get a degree in a field related to criminal justice. Both Miller and Jaeger are graduates of Hastings High School, where they wrestled together for the Raiders. They also both work for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office as Park Rangers for the Parks, Lakes, and Trails Unit.

Miller, who graduated from Hastings High School in 2022, is a Specialist in the Army National Guard and a sophomore at Southwest Minnesota State University. He is pursuing a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Environmental Science. His goal is to have a career with the Department of Natural Resources.

Jaeger, who graduated from Hastings High School in 2023, is a member of the Hastings Police Department Reserve Unit and is in his first year at Alexandria Technical and Community College. He is pursuing a degree in Police Training and Education. He aims to have a career within a police department or a sheriff’s office.

In addition to receiving scholarship funds, Miller and Jaeger were also assigned mentors. Miller will shadow Deputy Chaunte’ Ford, and Jaeger will shadow Deputy Tedros Semere. Both young men look forward to learning from their mentors about the various careers within the sheriff’s office and how they can best serve their communities.