Known for Greatness Alumni Spotlight: Mia Frei & Josh Meyers, 9/8/2026
Papillion La Vista Community Schools is proud of the many paths graduates take after leaving our halls. Among them are two alumni whose activities and academics at PLCS helped set them on a path to careers serving the very community they grew up in, one through fire and emergency response, the other through community policing. Their paths look different, but both reflect the same lasting connection to home: a commitment to showing up for the community every single day.
Mia FreiPLHS Class of 2018
Mia Frei (formerly Pearson) graduated from Papillion La Vista High School in 2018, where she served as captain of the Monarchs' state championship softball team. An interest in law enforcement had already taken root by then. "We had family friends in law enforcement, and hearing about the job always intrigued me," she says.
Frei has served her entire career with the Papillion Police Department, and this December will mark five years on the job. Today, she works night shift road patrol, and her role extends well beyond patrol duty. She serves on the Sarpy County Crisis Negotiations Team, works as a Field Training Officer, and is part of the department's Recruitment team.
For Frei, the job is deeply tied to the community she grew up in. "It means a lot to give back to the community I grew up in," she says. "It's super rewarding running into familiar faces and being able to help them, whether that's answering a simple question or being there on what could be one of their worst days."
Building relationships is at the heart of how she approaches the work. "I always love meeting new people and building those relationships, and I think that's what Papillion has always been about." It's an approach that hasn't gone unnoticed. "It's always a running joke in our department that 'Frei knows everybody,' and sometimes I feel like I do!"
"I love leaving a call where I felt like I was able to be personable to our citizens and truly help them in a time of need."
Josh MeyersClass of 2023
Josh Meyers graduated from Papillion La Vista South High School in 2023, where he played football and competed in powerlifting. He also took part in the district's Career Academy, a program that partners with Metro Community College to give students hands-on education in the fire service. Through the academy, Meyers graduated high school with an associate's degree in fire science technology already in hand.
Today, he's serving the same community he grew up in as a Firefighter/EMT with the Papillion Fire Department. For Meyers, the career choice was about more than the job itself. "I wanted a career that would allow myself to serve my community on a day-to-day basis," he says.
As a proud Papillion resident and PLCS graduate, Meyers calls it an honor to work for the city that raised him. "I am grateful to serve the community that has given me so much."
Meyers's commitment to giving back doesn't stop at the station. He regularly volunteers with the Papillion La Vista Schools Community Closet, helping families access clothing and hygiene essentials, and also volunteers with Ralston Fire/Rescue.
One of his favorite parts of the job is connecting with the next generation of firefighters through community outreach events and station tours. "It is a great feeling to have, as not long ago I was the one asking the questions and wanting to become a career firefighter someday."
"Papillion is a fantastic community," Meyers adds, "and I am lucky to be part of it!"
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