FBI seeks Valley youths
The FBI is seeking for Imperial Valley youth, but not for criminal activity.
The FBI is looking for Imperial County high school students to spend an interactive day with special agents for the 2017 Teen Academy at their San Diego field office.
Applications are now being accepted for the Teen Academy held June 28 and Aug. 16 at San Diego headquarters in Sorrento Valley. Application deadline is 4 p.m. Monday. Interested candidates can download an application at https://www.fbi.gov/ file-repository/san-diego-2017-teen-academy-application.pdf/view
“We’re looking for motivated students with strong leadership skills who are interested in what we do,” said Special Agent Davene Butler, public information officer and media coordinator, on Friday.
The Teen Academy is open to sophomores and juniors in a public, private, charter or home school program. And they must also attend school within San Diego or Imperial counties. Applicants must also submit a one page, typed written essay explaining why they want to attend as well as what motivates them. The essay should highlight who they are and what their community service has involved, list their leadership qualities as well as school activities, which play an important part in the criteria of their acceptance.
“We’d like to have inspired young people who are looking forward to what their career might be,” said Butler. “It doesn’t have to be the FBI but we hope they’d choose a career in law enforcement.”
Applicants accepted will be notified by May 31. Then they will be assigned one of the two dates classes take place. Students should be a U.S. citizen or a legally permanent resident. Send completed applications to FBI San Diego Attn: Community Outreach Specialist, 10385 Vista Sorrento Parkway, San Diego, 92121.
Students selected will spend the day with special agents and professional staff participating in classroom and hands-on activities. Classes offer an insider’s look into gang and drug investigations, tactical operations and evidence collection, while learning FBI core values.
Students attending are also expected to become community ambassadors. They are urged to mentor classmates at their regular school. “We want them to talk about their experience and explain what the FBI does. We hope they can help other students make appropriate choices for the future and follow a path to a productive career,” said Butler. After completing the class, students will be better informed of how the FBI serves the community and existing challenges to security.
“This gives students a much clearer picture of what the FBI is all about,” said Butler. “Students leave here motivated and electrified. Word doesn’t often get out to rural areas but we hope this empowers students and their families.”