The Clearwater High School Civil Rights Tour concluded walking the halls of the U.S. State Capitol. The CHS Freedom Ambassadors visited local Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ congressional office. Rep. Bilirakis allowed the ambassadors to leave their luggage in his office for the afternoon. That effort was facilitated by his congressional intern Thomas McGuire, a former Clearwater High student and University of South Florida graduate.  The CHS Freedom Ambassadors also visited Rep. John Lewis’ office where they were given insight about the many photos that adorned his wall by a congressional aide. The students also stopped by Rep. Charlie Crist office.

For the fourth year, Clearwater High students participated in the Clearwater High Civil Rights Tour. The ambassadors researched and participated in experiences that connected them to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. From March 15-18, students visited Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala, Memphis, Tenn. and Washington, D.C. The trip was the culmination of a project-based,  personalized learning opportunity that included an in-depth tour of sites with historical significance for the Civil Rights Movement.

All learning for the civil rights tour was student-driven. On their return from the tour, the student participants will lead a project-based learning experience for other Pinellas County Schools school groups. Clearwater High School is part of the first group of schools in the district to implement Personalized Learning through the district’s Pinellas Innovates plan.