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Teen follows dad's footsteps at FBI Academy
(by Sali McSherry - September 02, 2010)
Teen follows dad's footsteps at FBI Academy
By SALI McSHERRY
Following in the steps of her father, Chagrin Falls High School sophomore Madison Hendricks ran four miles on the "yellow brick road" at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., this summer.
Madison was one of 52 students, one from each state and two from other countries, chosen to participate in the FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership program. Her father is Hunting Valley police Lt. Barry Hendricks, who was a member of the 197th class of the FBI Academy when Madison was just 3 years old.
The yellow brick road is a run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marines, an optional fitness challenge her father completed during his time at the academy. Madison, whose favorite track event is the mile run, said she was proud of participating in the youth-version challenge.
In her essay in which she answered the question, "What is leadership?" Madison wrote, "My definition for leadership is any person that guides others in achieving necessary tasks." She referenced Abraham Lincoln as an exceptional leader and Joseph Stalin as a poor example of a leader, a man who, in his attempt to industrialize Russia, caused the horrors of famine.
The eight-day program, with excursions to Washington, D.C., focused on leadership techniques, a knowledge of the American system of criminal justice, police organization and function, criminal law, the structure and operation of U.S. criminal courts, as well as personal development. It was sponsored by the FBI National Academy Associates, an organization comprised of law-enforcement professionals, who are graduates of the academy.
As a participant, Madison was required to read "Leadership and the One Minute Manager," by Ken Blanchard, prior to attending the program. During the sessions, she worked in a small group and made a presentation about the book. Other sessions concentrated on topics that affect youths such as cyber bullying, suicide and domestic violence, she said.
Madison said one of the questions that was studied vigorously throughout the youth program was, "Are leaders born or are they made?" She said she believes leaders are made -- formed by their life experiences.
Madison was one of 10 who earned 100 percent on her final test at the academy.
Each day started with a 5 a.m. half-hour run, she said. Madison said she was moved by a visit to Ford Theater and Arlington National Cemetery.
Participants were required to have above-average academic scores, as well as good citizenship. Madison received a Presidential Volunteer Award for her contributions as a Girl Scout, and has been active in volunteering at school as a member of Key Club, she said.
Her father said, "I was so proud of her." She didn't know anyone at first but met great people from all over the country. The program was not just about leadership, it taught participants how to network, Mr. Hendricks said. Networking was 50 percent of the FBI Academy program he had attended in 1998.
She also plays junior-varsity soccer, basketball and track.
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