27-05-2025
CAPS & GOWNS: Altoona grad works with local police, pursues law enforcement career
ALTOONA — To many of her peers at Altoona High School, Kyra Boettcher is sometimes referred to as 'the cop.'
She said it was an endearing title despite the fact that she is not technically a cop, but pursuing that career is something she is interested in doing after high school.
'Next year I will be going to [Chippewa Valley Technical College] for criminal justice in hopes to become a police officer,' Boettcher said. 'I will be going there and doing their law enforcement academy, and at the moment I do work for the Altoona Police Department. It has been an awesome experience — I was an intern there for eight months, I got to meet everyone and do a bunch of different things that make that career.'
As she now graduates this spring having been a student in the School District of Altoona since Kindergarten, Boettcher said it is a weird feeling thinking about not having to attend classes in Altoona.
'Honestly, for me it is really bittersweet. I have been taking CVTC classes pretty much the whole year so I haven't been here as much, but I am a part of the student council so I am still really involved,' she said.
'I am ready to move on, but at the same time it's like, 'Dang, it's kind of over.'
'It is going to be weird not seeing the people I have grown up with every day. My best friend I have known since kindergarten, Duke, is moving to South Dakota for college… I think that is going to be the hardest, but I am also really excited for what's to come. Obviously I'm a little nervous because it is not the same structure at college, but I feel very prepared and am excited to see what doors open and what happens.'
As she looks for opportunities after high school, Boettcher reflected back and said her first interactions and interests in law enforcement began in the classroom.
'For the longest time, I would have never guessed I would have been doing it because I was a little hesitant about the police for a long time,' she said.
Through a law class, students like Boettcher learned about the legal field and heard from professionals about what law enforcement careers look like. She took the opportunity to talk with teachers, guidance counselors and even the school resource officer at Altoona, as conversations eventually landed her a job interning for the police department and working through both positive moments and difficult ones.
'It is not what a lot of people get to see at 17,' Boettcher said, 'but it really helped me mature because you have to be very professional and serious in those situations… I think that is a little bit different than what a regular high school job would have.'
Now able to look back on her K-12 career, Boettcher said she felt very supported by the staff at Altoona as they challenged her ability to learn.
When asked what advice or wisdom she would give to a large audience, Boettcher said, 'I think my experience growing up LGBTQ has been interesting in the field I am going into, but I think it is so important to not let that label box you in. Take every opportunity you can to do what you want to do. You can really make a difference in people's lives. Just go for it.'
