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"I learn a lot from the kids," she said.
Strunk said she deals with the same issues that they deal with in bigger cities just on a smaller scale.
"When I catch a kid smoking marijuana or doing something they shouldn't be doing, sometimes I do have to take them down to the law center," she said.
The biggest threat she deals with at the high school level, she said, is harassment.
"Kids like to tease and fight," she said.
Whatever the problem though, Strunk said she is usually able to get it under control. She works closely with the guidance office and the school to try and make sure that everyone is safe and the streets are safe for the kids.
This year she will introduce and teach a new program at the high school called Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT).
"What we will do it talk about gangs and how the students can make the right choices if they are put in a situation," she said.
Since gang issues made the news last year, Strunk said she believes this program is a good idea and can help some young adults learn that violence is not the answer and that it is not cool to be associated with a gang.
She has also gotten to know many of the kids and much of the faculty and they all seem to know her.
"Most of the time the kids will do what they are told to, but it all depends on their outlook on adults and especially law enforcement officers," Strunk said. "We have kids from all different backgrounds."
She always wanted to do something associated with law enforcemnt.
"Before I wanted to be an officer I wanted to go into the corrections side of it," she said.
Now she is getting the opportunity to have an influence on today's youth.
"I think if these kids make the right choices many of them will go on to do greater things," she said. "They're all great kids."
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.
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