CCHS senior Olivia Nesgoda learns about law in Washington D.C.

Olivia Nesgoda, a senior at Cook County High School, is a very busy young woman. She is a cross-country runner, has participated in the YMCA Youth in Government program, was the student representative on the School District 166 school board and more. But she recently found time for a trip to Washington D.C. on July 25-30.
 

Livy took part in a career exploration trip through Envision, a national program that provides career, leadership, and technology programs in cities across the United States and the world.
 

Students are nominated to participate in the programs and Livy does not know who nominated her. And, she admits to being skeptical when she received the announcement that she had been selected for the trip to Washington D.C. But once she and her parents confirmed it was real, Livy was delighted to take part. 
 

The program that Livy participated in was focused on law and CSI careers. She and some of the 350 students from around the United States conducted a mock trial, and attended panel discussions with professors from George Mason University, criminal defense lawyers, and forensic scientists. 
 

Livy met John Douglas, one of the FBI’s first profilers, a man who interviewed serial killers such as Ted Bundy, Charles Manson and Ted Kemper. She said it was very exciting to meet him, but also a bit morbid to hear his stories. 
 

Livy also heard a presentation on The Innocence Project by Marvin Anderson, a man who had been wrongly convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison for over 10 years.
 

She of course also enjoyed seeing the monuments and museums of the nation’s Capitol and meeting like-minded students from around the country.
 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence caught up with Olivia Nesgoda to learn about this adventure.