Karns High student learns about national security

Karns High School junior Sydney Broderick spent a week in the nation’s capitol in February. Along with other students from across America, she attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security. Sydney said the week was exciting and taught her plenty about the complexities of the U.S. government.

Broderick was recommended for the program by Pete Tampas, who teaches criminal justice at Karns. He said that Sydney was a wonderful student who has the potential to be a leader in many areas.

Sydney is interested in becoming an FBI agent after finishing college. Law enforcement service runs in her family. Her grandfather worked as a homicide detective, and one uncle is a police officer.

Her desire to attend the forum in Washington, D.C., was so strong that her parents paid for the trip.

Students filled roles of government officials during a mock situation. Under the scenario, North Korea was preparing for war against the U.S., Japan and South Korea. For five hours, students made decisions that would determine the future of the world.

Sydney played the head of the FBI. Her job was to gather intelligence and deliver it to the director of the National Security Agency. In the end, war was averted as the U.S. and its allies compromised with North Korea as the country agreed to stop building nuclear weapons.

Sydney said the exercise taught her many things about government and the roles individuals play.

“It’s not nearly as easy as people think a job in government is. The most important component of government is effective communication,” she said.

During the six-day trip, students visited Capitol Hill, and Sydney also walked to other government institutions that interested her. She said the best part of the trip was meeting people from different areas who shared a common interest in law and government.

For her, the hardest part was the day of activities. She got up at 5:30 a.m. and returned to her room at 11 p.m. At midnight, she completed homework assignments so she would be caught up in classes upon returning home.

Sydney is an excellent student who likes math and English. However, she says her favorite class is criminal justice. She says Tampas is a wonderful teacher who makes the class interesting with activities and guest speakers.

Sydney also plays softball for KHS. She’s a catcher and first baseman and has played the game since she was 4. Sydney also enjoys participating in Young Life and likes hiking and biking.

She and her family moved to Knoxville from San Diego, Calif., in 2004, and the mountains are a place that they all enjoy. Her parents are Tim and LaWanna, and Sydney has one sister, Afton, 20.

When she graduates, Sydney is looking at several colleges. Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., and Radford in Virginia are high on her list. At either she can play softball, and both offer exceptional criminal justice programs.

Sydney Broderick is a determined and dedicated teen. She most certainly will continue to meet her goals and will someday serve in the field of law enforcement. Wherever she serves, the public will feel well protected.

Contact Joe at joerector@comcast.net. Read Joe’s blog at www.thecommonisspectacular.com.