The Arizona Cardinals announced the team will send 241 high school students and 30 chaperone teachers on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. on the team plane as a part of the Civics Matters Arizona program.
The trip will take place from June 22-25 and will give the students a chance to meet with elected officials, visit historical landmarks and learn how the government works.
The hope is to inspire and empower the students to make a difference in their respective communities, according to a release.
“These young women and men have demonstrated the potential to be future leaders of our community and our nation,” said Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill.
“We are hopeful this experience and others will result in learning more about the process of government and the role they can play in affecting positive change.”
Civics Matters Arizona is a program started by Governor Doug Ducey in the hopes of prioritizing American civics. Arizona was the first state to pass the American Civics Act that requires high school students to pass the citizenship test before graduation.
The program also educates on topics such as the Holocaust, Sept. 11 and other genocides and attacks.
“We are committed to building better educated communities and helping students reach their greatest potential by informing, inspiring, and empowering each of them to become active participants in our democracy,” said State Farm, senior vice president Denise Hardin.
The students represent 46 Arizona schools, 20 school districts, 11 cities and four counties.
They were selected after submitting a 500-word essay about community and civic involvement, young people who have made a difference, or how to build “a more perfect union.” The criteria was created with the help of Governor Ducey, according to the release.