I have been in the PAL program for approximately six years. I attend Cathedral Prep and play football, I have wrestled, played basketball and soccer as well. I am mostly an “A” student. I want to go into business or something involving criminal justice and law. I would like to attend a college that is well known for sports and academics. I learned the importance of leadership, kindness, and respect while being in the PAL Program.Read Less

I have been in the PAL program for approximately six years. I attend Cathedral Prep and play football, I have wrestled, played basketball and soccer as well. I am mostly an “A” student. I want to ... Read More

My name is Grace. I am an 8th year PAL kid, and I am attending St. Luke School. I recently got accepted to Cathedral Prep and will be attending there in August of 2024. I play soccer and do cheer. The reason I do PALs is because of the people that I am surrounded with. It is truly a wonderful and joyful place to be. Since I was little, I have always wanted to be a vet. I loved animals, but that all changed in 3rd grade. I grew my love for investigation, I wanted to be a detective so bad that I still now stay up watching detective shows and documentaries because I was so invested. Officers noticed this and would always talk to me about cases and what I thought about them. I hope to one day make PAL proud and become a federal investigator. I think that this program is so important and such a great stepping stone to our success because these officers truly care and love you.Read Less

My name is Grace. I am an 8th year PAL kid, and I am attending St. Luke School. I recently got accepted to Cathedral Prep and will be attending there in August of 2024. I play soccer and do cheer. The... Read More

Hi, my name is Na’ilah, I am in 9th grade and I am attending Fairview High School. I have been in the PAL Program for 6 years. PAL is a fun, amazing structured program for kids amongst all ages. I am involved in the PAL Program because it makes me feel welcomed, PAL is literally one big family. When you come to PAL you feel safe, cared for and welcomed. PAL is also extremely educational, but is fun at the same time. Here at PAL you will meet a very nice group of talented, diverse, unique people. You’re guaranteed to find your kind of people here. All the officers here are amazing people, especially Officer Tom Lenox. He has done so much for the program and has done so much for me as well. I love PAL.Read Less

Hi, my name is Na’ilah, I am in 9th grade and I am attending Fairview High School. I have been in the PAL Program for 6 years. PAL is a fun, amazing structured program for kids amongst all ages. I a... Read More

My name is Jayquan, I’m in 10th grade and l currently attend the Charter School Of Excellence. I have been in the school's Bowling Club for four years. Currently I am one of the managers of the workforce program. I have been in the PAL Program for nine years, and I’ve learned how to be a team leader, serve the community, public speak for PAL, attended the Gannon University Summer Camp and participated in the Junior Police Academy. My activities are basketball, bowling and fishing. The meaning of PAL to me is family. This program gave me good chances in my life to be a good leader and to achieve all of my goals, it taught me how to speak to people with respect and it taught me responsibilities and also taught me how to give back. I really respect this program because it helped a lot of kids to stay out of trouble and off the streets. My future plan is to get a job in the Secret Service, from some of the skills that I learned in the Junior Police Academy, and also because of the suitRead Less

My name is Jayquan, I’m in 10th grade and l currently attend the Charter School Of Excellence. I have been in the school's Bowling Club for four years. Currently I am one of the managers of the work... Read More

Hi my name is Jayden, I am in the 12th grade and I attend the Charter School of Excellence, I have been in the school's Bowling Club for four years. I am the team manager for our middle school basketball team. I have been in the PAL program, for six years where I have learned how to become a team leader, served the community, plus attended the Gannon University Commuter Camp and participated in the Junior Police Academy. My activities are basketball, football, and gaming. My future goal after high school is to enlist in the Air Force and to become a math teacher, and a professional basketball player. I am proud to be a part of the PAL Program.Read Less

Hi my name is Jayden, I am in the 12th grade and I attend the Charter School of Excellence, I have been in the school's Bowling Club for four years. I am the team manager for our middle school basketb... Read More

I’m in 8th grade. I am involved in PAL, positive youth development, a past Girl Scout, and I have played for Woodrow Wilson and MYAA Basketball. I go to school at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. PAL means that we do fun games with Erie Police officers and the officers have influenced me to go into law enforcement for my future career. My future goal is to go to Collegiate Academy and get into the Erie High Criminal Justice CTE Lab.Read Less

I’m in 8th grade. I am involved in PAL, positive youth development, a past Girl Scout, and I have played for Woodrow Wilson and MYAA Basketball. I go to school at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. PAL m... Read More

My name is Makiah, I am 17 years old. I was born in Killeen, Texas, to my parents David and Cassandra. During the summer of 2011, we moved up to Erie to live with my grandma in her apartment on 22nd Street. That summer I started helping in the community garden, on the block, run by the Benedictine Sisters. Some of these wonderful women helped my grandma a lot while she raised my sisters and me. They helped her get us into overnight summer camp, they signed us up for free art lessons, and encouraged her to send us to PAL day camp. These places are where I met some of the most important people of my life, one of them being Officer Tom. Going into senior year I finished my last year of being a camper, I was promoted to Executive Officer in JROTC, and I am finishing my last year as a student in PAL. These programs have enriched my life and made me strive to be a better person. I have applied to several colleges, and so far have been accepted to Allegheny and St. Mary’s. As I finish my laRead Less

My name is Makiah, I am 17 years old. I was born in Killeen, Texas, to my parents David and Cassandra. During the summer of 2011, we moved up to Erie to live with my grandma in her apartment on 22nd S... Read More

My name is Alejandro. I previously attended Mother Teresa Academy and I’m currently a sophomore at Cathedral Prep. I’ve been a part of PAL for around eight years and hope to continue for many more. To me, PAL is like a second family where I can truly be myself, spend time with friends and officers, and I feel at home. It holds a special place in my heart. As for my future plans, I aspire to become a cardiologist and work at the Children’s UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh.Read Less

My name is Alejandro. I previously attended Mother Teresa Academy and I’m currently a sophomore at Cathedral Prep. I’ve been a part of PAL for around eight years and hope to continue for many more... Read More