VISTA — The Vista Sheriff’s Department added 11 pint-sized sets of eyes and ears to its force at the 10th Junior Deputy Youth Academy Graduation ceremony held April 1 at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista.

The eight-week program offered the city’s youth an in-depth look at crime fighting in Vista.

The participants were educated in a wide range of topics, from alcohol and drug awareness to gang prevention and how to properly report suspicious activities — all accompanied with plenty of strenuous physical exercise.

“We’re trying to get to the kids early. They got to spend a lot of time with positive role models, our professional staff and the deputies ... (They learn) the real truth about law enforcement versus ‘CSI’ and the things they see (on television),” Sheriff’s Department Capt. Ed Prendergast said.

Vista High School junior Jessica Bayston, at 17 the oldest of the graduates, sees the program as training for a career in law enforcement.

“I want to become a sheriff when I get older, so I wanted to see what it was like. It’s a lot of work. There’s a lot of push-ups and everything, but I want to work at it so I have to start now!” Bayston said.

“I liked it a lot because it was fun and had fitness and plus you got to play with your friends at the same time,” said 8-year-old Caitlin Tobin.

“It was fun and it inspired me in all kinds of ways,” said 8-year-old Candice Ballard.

This was the second time through the program for Candice and several of her classmates, a practice the department encourages.

Crime Prevention Specialist Kristina Nehls and her staff keep the curriculum fresh for repeat students by focusing on different topics.

The April 1 graduating class spent an entire session on fingerprinting, a new addition to the course.

The bond between the Junior Deputies and the Vista Sheriff’s Department remains long after the program ends.

“They kind of become part of our family,” Nehls said. “We do field trips down to Donovan State Prison (and) community events … like the Christmas Parade.”

“Some will become (sheriff’s) deputies, that would be great. But even if they don’t, as long as they’re productive citizens, we’d be very happy with that,” Prendergast said.

The Youth Academy program is aimed at children ages 6 to 18.

For more information on the program, contact Kristina Nehls at (760) 940-4352.