Gardnerville resident only second Douglas FBI Youth Leadership graduate

A 15-year-old Gardnerville girl is only the second Douglas County resident to attend the FBI National Academy Youth Leadership Program, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Grace Strabala-Karosich was congratulated by Sheriff Dan Coverley on her participation in the program June 22-30.

“Grace is an amazing young woman, and I am extremely proud of her,” Coverley said. “She and youth like her are truly the future of our country.”

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, starting with Sheriff Jerry Maple, has sent 18 members to the FBI National Academy. 

The Youth Leadership Program takes place at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. Grace went through an extensive application process to be selected to attend this year’s program.   

The FBI National Academy Associates supports the young leaders of tomorrow through the Youth Leadership Program.

The Youth Leadership Program is made possible and hosted by the FBI National Academy Associates Inc., a nonprofit law enforcement leadership network. This program focuses on eight days of intensive instruction for 62 participants. 

The program is run by a cadre of law enforcement training instructors.

“Students must have demonstrated high academic standards and good citizenship to be nominated for this program,” according to the Associates. “Extensive coursework and classroom instruction focus on issues faced by the youth of today and provides tools that can enhance their individual core talents.”

Students representing more than 40 U.S. states and four countries participate in the program annually at no charge.

Each participant is challenged to complete a rigorous obstacle course run at the end of the academy session. 

“The Run is called the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ and following the successful completion of the course, each participant is awarded a yellow brick with the class number.  

“We are pleased to have Grace join all those that have completed this program and earned their brick, Coverley said. “It is an honor for us to share this with her.”