PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. \u2014 Before sunrise, the quiet outside West Broward High School was replaced by the sound of rolling suitcases and idling buses as hundreds of Broward County students began their journey to Florida\u2019s capital for a hands-on lesson in government.<\/p>\n
Students from 22 middle and high schools across the district departed early Monday morning as part of the annual \u201cRally to the Tally for New Floridians\u201d trip, an initiative designed to immerse students in the workings of state and federal government.<\/p>\n
By 4:30 a.m., students and staff were arriving at designated pickup locations, including West Broward High, Flanigan High and McArthur High, with buses pulling out just before 5 a.m. The group will travel roughly seven hours to Tallahassee, where learning extends far beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n
The multi-day experience includes guided tours of the Florida Supreme Court and State Capitol, along with scheduled meetings with members of the Florida House and Senate. Students will present proposals from their Youth Legislative Agenda, giving them a rare opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s having them learn the state government system of the United States,\u201d said Osiris De Los Rios, a community resource specialist with Broward County Public Schools. \u201cThey come from other countries\u2014this is new to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
For many students, the trip marks more than just a civics lesson\u2014it\u2019s their first time traveling this far from home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are all kind of excited,\u201d said student Leyli Mammadzada. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s my first long trip. My other trips have been a few hours, maximum two days.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to their time in Tallahassee, students will also tour the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida, exposing them to higher education opportunities across the state.<\/p>\n
Now in its 11th year, the program aims to build confidence, encourage civic engagement, and highlight the importance of education and community involvement. The trip is organized by the district\u2019s Bilingual\/ESOL Department in partnership with the Close Up Foundation and is funded through Title III, Part A.<\/p>\n
For the students boarding buses in the early morning hours, the journey is about more than distance\u2014it\u2019s about discovery.<\/p>\n
They are expected to return to South Florida on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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