PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — 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’s capital for a hands-on lesson in government.
Students from 22 middle and high schools across the district departed early Monday morning as part of the annual “Rally to the Tally for New Floridians” trip, an initiative designed to immerse students in the workings of state and federal government.
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.
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.
“It’s having them learn the state government system of the United States,” said Osiris De Los Rios, a community resource specialist with Broward County Public Schools. “They come from other countries—this is new to them.”
For many students, the trip marks more than just a civics lesson—it’s their first time traveling this far from home.
“We are all kind of excited,” said student Leyli Mammadzada. “For me, it’s my first long trip. My other trips have been a few hours, maximum two days.”
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.
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’s Bilingual/ESOL Department in partnership with the Close Up Foundation and is funded through Title III, Part A.
For the students boarding buses in the early morning hours, the journey is about more than distance—it’s about discovery.
They are expected to return to South Florida on Thursday.
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