FBI Teen Academy! 11-16-13

So the FBIs Teen Academy finally happened and it was super cool. Basically the Teen Academy is something my mentor Karen began, it is a day for teens to learn about the FBI and whether or not they would be interested in it or another section of law enforcement in the future. The day consists of various speakers that come in and give presentations to the kids invited. One of the best parts was that it was in an actual FBI facility so it was all really professional and everything required clearance. Another part that was really great was that since I am there to accompany and work with Karen I was given more FBI clearance then the other students there. Many of the students were coming up to me and asking questions and because they aw me working with my mentor they all assumed I was older. The faces they made when i told them i was the same age as them were priceless.
Anyway, the day started off bright and early and lasted the duration of a normal school day, the only differences being: we were in a high security FBI building, the lecturers were all FBI agents, and I had to accompany people to the restroom whenever they had to go. My mentor began the day with some history on the FBI and its general ideas. After that a CART (Computer Analysis Response Team) technician spoke about her job. this consisted of how they exact evidence from any type of digital device and what they have to do in order to use it to properly incriminate the person. Following her was the Civil Rights Specialist who gave a great presentation on what his job pertains to, mostly any cases that go directly against the civil rights of another person. The ASAC ( Assistant Special Agent - in Charge) then followed with a presentation on gangs. He spoke far longer than he was supposed to but he was such a great speaker no one noticed except for those of us running the event. From his speech the main thing I gathered was that "Hurt people, hurt people", I don't think I'll ever forget that. The last presentation of the dat was the K-9 unit, which meant a bomb sniffing dog. This was particularly interesting because the dog, Salem, would go from playful and puppy-like to serious and ready for business the next. At the end of all this, I learned a lot and got to meet plenty of new great people.

Me attempting to take a picture with Salem, the bomb sniffing dog!

The ASAC during his presentation on gangs. 

My mentor Karen shaking hands and thanking the special agent who made the presentation on Civil Rights. 

Some of the other students watching and hanging out as Karen tried to get past all the FBI computer's ever-changing passwords.