SOUTH POINT — One of the top troopers to graduate last week from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy has been assigned to the Ironton post and already she said she feels right at home.

Tiffany Coriell, a 27-year-old Portsmouth native, started Monday as the newest trooper at the post.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted to do. To me, being a trooper is about the camaraderie and serving the people,” she said.

Coriell was tops in academic performance in her class of 30 troopers, meaning she scored higher than her classmates on all of her weekly exams during the 29-week program. She said her high scores can be attributed to a strong desire to succeed.

“I think if you enjoy something you will do well at it,” Coriell said.

She was also chosen by the academy staff and her fellow students to speak at the academy’s graduation, alongside Gov. Ted Strickland and OSHP Superintendent Col. Richard Collins.

Because of her high standing in the class, Coriell was given her choice of assignments. She said coming to the Ironton post was always what she wanted.

“There were several openings around the state, but Ironton is where I wanted to be,” Coriell said with a smile. “It’s close to home and I am familiar with the area. I’m excited to get to know the area and the people even better.”

During her first three months on the job Coriell will have a “field-training period,” where she rides along with a veteran trooper. After that, she is on her own.

Coriell said she is impressed with the close-knit Lawrence County community and the people she has met on the job so far. She is also impressed with the caliber of troopers she works alongside.

“After my first day here, I knew I made the right decision (coming to the Ironton post),” she said.

Coriell started her career at the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe when she was 19. She has a degree in human services and corrections and is also a member of the Army National Guard, serving a year as a medic in Iraq.

Coriell and her husband, Wade, have been married for five years.

She is the second female trooper at the post.