INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Independence High School sophomore Adriana Randjelovic spent her summer vacation at FBI headquarters after being chosen for a prestigious FBI Youth Leadership Program.
The teen was the only one chosen from Ohio and joined an elite of 64 students from around the globe to attend the highly competitive FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program, held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
She said: “I’m so thankful to have had such a wonderful opportunity to be able to learn at the FBI Academy from law enforcement professionals and build those strong connections that will last forever. Not only has this program helped enhance my leadership skills, but also my ambition to become a criminal behavioral analyst, two things that I know will be with me throughout my life.”
A school statement said: “The nine-day program is designed for high-achieving students with an interest in law enforcement and leadership. Participants take part in physical training, team-building exercises, and classroom instruction focused on leadership, ethics, and personal development. Adriana trained alongside Marine personnel, completed the FBI’s iconic Yellow Brick Road obstacle course, toured Hogan’s Alley, a mock crime scene training town, participated in firearms simulations, and even spent time at the US Capitol.”
Randjelovic wants to become a criminal behavioral analyst with the FBI and she independently researched what steps she could take in high school to pursue that goal and discovered the FBINAA Youth Leadership Program on her own. After a competitive application process – including interviews – she earned the opportunity to represent the state of Ohio.
Adriana plans to attend college after graduation and hopes to dual major in criminology and psychology, an academic path that aligns with her career goals.
