Image courtesy of FBI Chicago
The FBI Chicago Teen Academy is not for everyone. In fact, the selection process is so rigorous that only 20 students are chosen from the entire Chicagoland region. For this fall’s academy, two of the 20 are from District 214: Buffalo Grove sophomore Max Matis and John Hersey senior Adrian Badani.
Throughout the six-week academy, FBI personnel utilize instructions and demonstrations to introduce students to federal law enforcement, investigations, intelligence, cybercrime, public corruption, polygraph exams, SWAT and evidence response, along with day-to-day operations of a typical FBI office. Students learn from special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists and professional staff.
Max and Adrian both say District 214 experiences provided valuable preparation.
“Attending Hersey allowed me to have an amazing internship at both the Rolling Meadows and Wheeling Police Departments, giving me some prior knowledge of what to expect at the academy,” Adrian said.
Max learned of the academy through Criminal and Civil Law class, in which teacher Michael McCabe introduces criminal and civil law, brings in a variety of guest speakers and broadens students’ perspectives through field trips that include federal and state courthouses and face time with judges and others in related professions.
All of which, Max said: “strengthened my interest in law and criminal justice, which motivated me to apply to the academy.” That class, Max said, also provided the background he needed to explain the concepts of reasonable suspicion and probable cause when those topics arose during the academy.
McCabe said Max made the most of a high-level class offering considerable academic freedom. “Max showed high interest from day one. His work he turned in, I’ve never seen a student spend so much time even on smaller assignments. He really made the effort, so I’m sure the same effort came through when he wrote his application.”
Similarly, Jodi Blazek, a Hersey Law Pathway instructor and head coach of the school’s Law Team, said Adrian is a focused student and mock trial team member. “Adrian was a dedicated member of the (mock trial) team,” she said, “and this experience furthered his understanding of a career in law. I am so excited for this well deserved opportunity for Adrian with the FBI!”
Max and Adrian also say the FBI experience has reinforced their interest in related career fields.
“My uncle is a successful lawyer, and has been a major influence on my interest in the legal field,” Max said. “I would love to follow his field and pursue a career in law myself. The FBI is an area that interests me.”
The Academy experience strengthened that interest. “Completing the FBI Chicago Teen Academy was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am grateful to have been part of it. This experience has encouraged me to keep learning more about law and public administration. I am looking forward to participating in Mock Trial and exploring new internship opportunities through District 214, especially in law and public administration. I am excited to see what these opportunities have to offer.” Max said.
Adrian says the experience reinforced his interest in an FBI career, either as a special agent or forensic investigator, an interest fueled by the academy’s simulation of how agents react to a variety of specific situations.
To earn entry to the academy, conducted at the FBI Chicago Field Office, applicants submit a formal application and written essay. In addition, they undergo a lengthy interview process and must successfully complete the required FBI background check and security clearance.