From staff reports
John Paul II Catholic School graduate Julia Delgado, Class of ‘23, has had quite a summer.
Delgado recently attended the FBI Teen Academy in Columbia, where she got a first-hand look into the day-to-day operations of the FBI.
Twenty South Carolina high school students, ages 15 to 18, were chosen for the annual one-day program at the academy and got the opportunity to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Students worked with cybercrime, fingerprinting, terrorism, and polygraphs, and shared their eye-opening experiences.
FBI Agent Steve Jensen, who oversees the Columbia field office, hopes this program sheds light on the various opportunities available in the FBI and the real people behind the roles.
“This is when they’re starting to decide what they want to do when they grow up, who they want to be, how they want to contribute to society, and one of the things with this generation is where can they contribute most,” he said.
The selection process included an application, a 500-word essay, and students must have at least a 2.5 GPA to be considered.
Delgado also received word after graduation that she was one of five area graduates to receive the Italian American Club of Hilton Head scholarship. Each recipient received a $2,000 award toward their college expenses.
The scholarship qualifications include academic success, extra-curricular activities, teacher reference, essay, and financial need. Scholarships are only available to graduating seniors who have been accepted into college and live in the Bluffton/Hilton Head area of South Carolina.
Delgado is attending North Carolina State University.
