Sydney O'Rourke: Future Crime Fighter

By Molly Swartz
     
​     Most high school students have very little idea as to what they plan on doing in the future. One very unique Senior at Glenelg High School, however, knows exactly what she wants to do in college and in her future career. Next year, Sydney O’Rourke will be attending the University of Maryland College Park, and will immerse herself in one of the top Criminology programs in the United States. As a future college freshman, she was accepted into the very illustrious and honorable FIRE Program at the University. Once there, she will be majoring in Criminology, with a minor in Neuroscience.

     She described what she sees herself doing in the near and distant future, as well as the aspects of high school that have shaped her sentiment and work ethic thus far. She says in ten years, “I will be working at a government agency, like the FBI or the Department of Defense.” By choosing a college so close to D.C., which is home to the headquarters of both these agencies, O’Rourke will have a profusion of opportunities to engage in various internships or jobs with the government throughout her college years.

     O’Rourke is exceedingly content with the way the Glenelg has prepared her for college. She admitted that “the intern-mentorship program helped a lot, along with AP classes. I feel as though I developed a good work ethic.” This work ethic, in turn, has given O’Rourke the incentive to pursue her dreams. Although she plans on focusing very resolutely on her academics, O’Rourke conveys that she will be consistently exercising and staying in shape, to better her mind and body and to maintain the sense of hard work that has helped her endure many hardships in high school. Throughout her senior year, O’Rourke found it difficult to maintain the task of “completing scholarships on top of all [her] other work.” This is assuredly the mindset of all hardworking seniors. Fortunately, O’Rourke has been successful in her college endeavors. With her positive attitude, it is clear to see that she will be very successful in the future.