Course aims for better citizens

0 Comments | USA TODAY, December, 2007 | by Mimi Hall

JOPPA, Md. -- Caitlin Gomez is thinking about a career in the Coast Guard. A.J. Massey is interested in science that helps prevent biological warfare. And Megan Bell is fascinated by geospatial technology.

The three 15-year-olds are students in a new three-year high school homeland security program designed to keep kids in school and teach them the kinds of skills that will get them into college or get them good jobs after graduation.

Developed in response to the working-class area's expanding job market, the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program at Joppatowne High School is becoming a model for the nation.

"We want the kids to come out with two major things: to come out as better citizens and to have the skills to be successful,"...