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More than 100 students, from five area Washington, D.C., public schools, were honored for their participation in the FBI's Junior Special Agent (JSA) program. The event was part of the FBI's school-based Community Outreach Program (COP) Adopt-A-School. Students' activities range from periodic visits to a selected school where FBI volunteers spend time with students as mentors and tutors, to a 10 to 16-week Junior Special Agent program that gives kids an inside look at today's FBI.

"The Junior Special Agent program consists of a variety of classroom activities, physical fitness training, and presentations by guest speakers, such as FBI Agents involved with investigating white-collar-crime, computer fraud, and terrorism," related Barbara Wallace, Unit Chief, Community Outreach Unit. "There are field trips and mentoring/tutoring programs for students needing additional guidance in routine subject areas throughout the school year."

The Adopt-A-School Program was developed to assist at-risk students in improving academically and to help them become good citizens. The Junior Special Agent program also enables the FBI to provide positive law enforcement role models for the students.

The Junior Special Agents participated in two activities this year. They created posters and they wrote essays.

The program offers incentives for students to improve their attendance, academic achievement and behavior through examples of role models emphasizing an anti-drug, anti-gang, and anti-violence message.

The JSA program is geared toward students in the fifth and sixth grades. If you have questions about the program, contact your local FBI office.