Monroe-Woodbury junior attends FBI Youth Leadership Program

Central Valley — Elizabeth Wasserman, a junior at Monroe-Woodbury High School, participated in the FBI Youth Leadership Program for eight days this past June at the FBI Academy in Quantico Marine Base in Virginia. The Youth Leadership Program is a highly selective program. It sponsored by the FBI National Academy Associates, the professional association of graduates of the FBI National Academy for state and local law enforcement officials. Only two students from New York State were selected to attend the program. Attendees range from ages 14 to 16 years old. Applicants are nominated by local chapters of the graduate association and must have demonstrated leadership, excellent character, submit an essay, pass an interview and have above-average grades to attend. At the academy, Elizabeth’s’ day began with a 5:30 a.m. wake up to a rigorous run followed by breakfast. She then attended eight hours of classes with a break for lunch and dinner followed by group discussion time and then lights out. One day was spent with her class on a VIP tour of the Washington, D.C., area. Classes included Constitutional law, ethics, organization and leadership and criminal justice among some subjects. Each student is given college credit for 62 hours of class time. Elizabeth is a member of the Monroe-Woodbury High School cross-country country and track teams. While at the FBI Academy she ran the Marine Corps’ “Yellow Brick Road,” a difficult four-mile run over rugged terrain and through mud that also includes ropes, logs and cargo ladders. She finished first among the female class and fourth overall. (The movie "Silence of the Lambs" was filmed partly on location at the FBI Academy and when Agent Starling (played by Jodie Foster) is first told to report to her special assignment she is running the actual "Yellow Brick Road.") Elizabeth met students from all over the country and several international students. She described the experience as one of her most memorable times and made friends that she will always be in contact. She also hopes that one day she can return to the academy in some other capacity.