Sandy Hook Resident Attends

FBI Youth Leadership Program

By Larissa Lytwyn

Representing Connecticut, Britta E. Cedergen of Sandy Hook, a junior at Newtown High School, recently completed the sixth session of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) Youth Leadership Program.

Participants are selected and sponsored by various state chapters of the FBINAA, a nonprofit organization of senior law enforcement officials dedicated to providing their communities and profession with the highest degree of law enforcement expertise, training, education, and information. Candidates must demonstrate above-average academic ability and good citizenship. Although the program is not limited to young persons interested in a law enforcement career, candidates should possess a desire to gain knowledge about American government, leadership, criminal justice, and the structure of the criminal court.

To be eligible, candidates must be between 14 and 16 years old. If, however, a candidate’s birthday occurs during the week of attendance and the individual turns 17 at that time, the individual is still eligible to attend. In addition, candidates must submit a one-page essay, “What is Leadership?” and undergo a subsequent oral review with local FBINAA officials.

The one-week program, held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., featured 44 outstanding students from each domestic chapter of the association, with one additional student from Canada. The curriculum included classes in goal setting, religion, culture and comparative ideology, juvenile justice, the law and its affects, interpersonal communication, physical training, group study and reports, ethical decisionmaking, and more. Students also enjoyed a tour of FBI Headquarters and a meeting with Director Robert Mueller.

The program is also accredited with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Instructors are volunteer members of the FBINAA and FBI Special Agents that teach at the FBI Academy. Graduates of the Youth Program have gone on to attend the US Military Academy at West Point, the US Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy, Harvard and Yale universities, the US military, and law enforcement.

Britta, daughter of Robert Cedergen, a captain at Bethel Police Department, and Lisa Cedergen, is a principal trumpet in the symphonic and marching band as well as a diver on the swim and dive team. She recently participated in a Newtown Congregational Church-sponsored work camp held in Holton, Maine.

Britta plans to major in criminal and forensic psychology in college, with the ultimate goal of becoming an agent with the FBI.