They went through intense training for 26 weeks, but Wednesday, the hard work of 208 new members of the New York State police paid off.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and other dignitaries joined hundreds of family members and friends for the 206th Session of Basic School Graduation on Wednesday.

"Incredible. There's really no way to express how I feel," said Trooper Kai Garlipp. "It's like living on Cloud Nine. This is something I've wanted to do all my life -- not just state police; it was any sort of police organization -- and the fact that I lucked out and got the crème of the crop and one of the best police organizations in the world, it's indescribable."

During Wednesday’s ceremony, Garlipp was presented the physical fitness award. Other awards, for achievement and physical fitness, were also handed out to the 206th Session’s best students.

One of the highlights of these ceremonies is the final video presentation, which gives loved ones an idea of what the troopers went through during their program, including pepper sprayings and Taser shockings.