SPANISH FORT, Ala.— Mark Fierro, a sophomore at Spanish Fort High School, will spend eight days this summer at a leadership development program hosted by the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Fierro was selected by the Alabama chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. to represent the state when the session begins June 22.

"Mark’s successful completion of the eight-day program will allow him to apply for three college　credits when he begins college," said SFHS Principal Marty McRae.

The organization consists of law enforcement professionals who are graduates of the academy, and the program is open each year to rising high school sophomores and juniors.

Portions of the youth leadership program will also take place in nearby Washington, D.C.

According to the program’s application materials, the intensive leadership and training boot camp is not restricted to students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, but applicants are expected to "possess a desire to gain knowledge of the American system of criminal justice, police organization and function, criminal law, the structure and operation of our criminal courts, as well as leadership skills and personal development."

Each state chapter sends one representative each year who is either an incoming sophomore or junior, but candidates must have demonstrated "above average academic standards, as well as good citizenship" to be considered for admittance.