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<p><strong>From staff reports&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>Applications for the FBI Columbia field office’s annual Teen Academy are available online.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>This year’s course will be held July 20-21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the FBI Columbia headquarters, located at 151 Westpark Blvd., Columbia.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The Teen Academy program allows students, ages 15-18, to get a comprehensive look into today’s FBI. Students will receive presentations on topics including terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, polygraph exams, evidence response, SWAT, and other day-to-day FBI field office operations.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Those interested in participating in the FBI Columbia Youth Academy must have parental approval before applying and must meet the eligibility requirements as follows:&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Must be a United States citizen.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Must reside in South Carolina.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Must be between the ages of 15 and 18.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Must be enrolled in an accredited high school or home-school environment, recognized by your school district.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Students who meet the eligibility requirements must complete an application, which can be found by visiting https://bit.ly/3Nu5uQn. Students will also be required to type a 500-word essay on why they would like to attend the Teen Academy, and how they would apply what they will learn to their futures.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Applications and essays are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22. Applications submitted after that date will not be accepted.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Completed applications and essays may be emailed to Columbia_Outreach@FBI. gov. They may also be mailed to FBI Columbia c/o Community Outreach, 151 Westpark Blvd., Columbia, S.C. 29210.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Questions about the Teen Academy should be directed to the Community Outreach Specialist at Columbia_Outreach@FBI.gov. Selected applicants will be notified by email on May 10.&nbsp;</p>
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