Ridge Community High School students will have a chance to showcase their artistry as part of a contest to decorate School Resource Officer David Heptinstall’s office on campus.
The contest lasts through Sept. 17 as students will be tasked with creating a picture or a design that best illustrates the integration of law enforcement and the school. The selected artwork will take the place of the current “Drug Identification” poster that appears on the wall.

“I’ve been doing this long enough that I know what drugs look like,” Heptinstall said. “We want our students to be proud to be Bolts and to use their talents to show their pride. I would much rather students, staff and I have the pleasure of seeing something that reflects that each day.”
The artwork will be judged by Heptinstall, art teacher Gregory Wortham and Principal Stephen Ely on its look and how it captures RCHS’ values of Responsible, Capable, Honorable and Safe in addition to the Haines City Police Department’s partnership with the school. Winners will be awarded prizes.
Ridge Community High School is one of two public high schools located inside the municipal boundaries of Haines City and the most populated in Polk County with more than 3,000 students. School resource officers Heptinstall and George Gonzalez are on campus daily to take part in preventative policing, mentoring and ensuring the safety of students and staff.