Ten Graduate from Junior Drone Academy
Ten boys graduated from the Junior Drone Academy on Tuesday afternoon at Convention Hall.
The academy was the first of its kind in this area, and was led by Jeff Lynde, Sedalia Parks & Rec’s IT and E-Sports specialist, and Det. Nicklous Camirand, Sedalia Police (Community Policing, Crime Resolution Unit, certified drone pilot).
The graduation, attended by Sedalia Parks & Rec staff and Sedalia Police officers, as well as graduates' family members, was held at Convention Hall, but the program was held at the Heckart Community Center, 1800 W. 3rd, over the past four weeks.
Best Take Media, WAFB, Mid-Mo Ag Drones, Sedalia Fire Department, Sedalia Police Department, "Drone Legends" and Mrs. Paxton were some of the special guests during the month-long program.
“It was pretty awesome,” Lynde responded when asked for his reaction to the ceremony. “I mean, way better than I expected it to be.”
The junior drone class of 2026 was kept fairly small “just so we can make sure that we can give then attention that they need during the whole process,” he said of the two-hour sessions, held in a meeting room just off the pool area at the Heckart.
In addition to learning how to fly a drone, Lynde said that safety was emphasized, as well as focusing on FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) rules governing how high you can fly and where you can fly (and not fly).
“There’s a lot of different things that people don’t realize – (such as) battery safety (most drones use rechargeable Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batteries),” Lynde noted.
As for another junior drone academy next year, Lynde said “I’m pretty certain we will have a second annual.”
Sedalia Police Chief David Woolery emceed the graduation and posed for photos with grads.
The Junior Drone Academy graduates were treated to drone cookies made by Dake’s Bakes, LLC, after the 15minute ceremony.
Margaret Ward of State Farm was the title sponsor for the program. She attended Tuesday's graduation ceremony.
In the top photo: Commander Michael Elwood, DFR Drone Pilot for the Criminal Investigations Bureau at Sedalia Police Department, and Jeff Lynde, Sedalia Parks & Rec IT and Drone Specialist, pose with the ten graduates of the Junior Drone Academy on July 14 at Convention Hall.
