USC Student Selected For FBI Summer Training

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA— Braidyn Recker is heading to FBI headquarters in Quantico, VA this summer. The Upper St. Clair High School freshman has been chosen to represent Western Pennsylvania at the FBI's National Academy Associates Inc. Youth Leadership Program this summer.

The eight-day program at the FBI Academy focuses on leadership development and supports students’ drive for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world. The program is a mixture of classroom study, physical fitness, guest lectures and leadership experiences.

Recker was one of two local students from the Western Pennsylvania region to be selected, along with Mt. Lebanon High School freshman Abigail Sohyda. They are two of 62 high school students worldwide to get the opportunity.

Recker was recognized for her achievement this week by Upper St. Clair Police Chief Jonathan Wharton and Lt. Michael Lindenfelser and was presented with a certificate by Castle Shannon Police Department Lt. Brian McKeown.

“Following a competitive application process, Braidyn made it to the second round, which consisted of an in-person interview at the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office," McKeown said.

"It was during the interview process where her intelligence, humility and caring nature really shined through—it is where she distinguished herself from the rest of the pack.”

Recker has a 4.0 GPA at Upper St. Clair and participates in student council and the girls soccer team. She also plays for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds girls soccer team.