McKenzie
Cliche

McKenzie Cliche is a senior at Brattleboro Union High School and a second-year student in the Career Center’s Criminal Justice program. McKenzie has been interested in the field of criminal justice since childhood and initially thought she wanted to become a police officer. She admired the officers who were regularly present in her neighborhood, noting how they helped others and were always willing to talk with local children.

Her early curiosity led her to watch police dramas on television and conduct her own research into the field. Over time, she realized that although she was passionate about criminal justice, she wasn’t comfortable with the physical and high-risk aspects of police work.

McKenzie enrolled in the Criminal Justice program last year to explore the field more deeply. Through her instructor’s extensive experience and insight, she discovered a new path: she now aspires to become a criminal law attorney.

She describes the Windham Regional Career Center program as “very comprehensive,” and says it helped her clarify her career goals and gain confidence in her decision. As part of her studies, McKenzie has examined legal statutes and the U.S. Consitution and has observed criminal court proceedings firsthand.

Next year, she plans to major in Criminal Justice in college, ideally in the Boston, Massachusetts area, with the ultimate goal of attending law school.