Civic Scholar Stories
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Polk County Students Explore Tallahassee Capitol in 2024.
Capitol Classroom 2024
Select students reflect on their visit to the Florida State House in Tallahassee for the Capital Classroom program in January 2024.
On January 22 and 23, 2024, 30 students from Polk County, Florida visited the Florida Capital in Tallahassee to participate in the Randy Roberts Foundation’s Capital Classroom program. These students met with state senators, commissioners, and program directors to learn about the ways in which each person working in Florida government supports the advancements and opportunities of its people. It was an eye-opening and refreshing experience for students who were able to meet with people making a positive impact in their state - some of whom were once RRF student scholars like themselves. Below are some statements from the students, reflecting on their meetings and the impact of this program.
January 22: Capital Classroom, Stella, Lakeland Christian School
This morning we had the opportunity to hear from Mrs. Julie Rogers about her pathway to becoming the director at Red Hill Strategies, and her experiences in this position. She is an amazing example of how beneficial it is to take on different opportunities that may lead you down paths different from what you originally planned. Mrs. Rogers started working in politics through Adam Putnam’s political committee and fundraising, which led her to organizing grassroots events and work at her current position. She shared with us how her experiences have helped her learn to be comfortable when placed in new situations and to think proactively when trying to achieve a goal.
January 22: Sean Mckeel Academy
Today we had the honor of meeting Jack Rogers, Legislative Director for the Department of Transportation. He explained to us the importance of networking, and how it can lead to many opportunities in politics. It all started with him attending Gator games with Mr. Randy Roberts; from there, a travel aide on the road for days, and interning on bus tours. These examples of networking led to his position as Legislative Director for the DOT. My favorite moment was when he explained how expensive transportation (like trains) is for our state.
January 22: Hailey, Harrison School for the Arts
Today, we had the amazing opportunity to meet with Representative Sam Killebrew. He started by introducing the differences between county, city, and state governmental tasks. He followed by discussing work in session, like the path a bill takes to become a law, with the many elaborate committees. I greatly enjoyed his conversation about the bills he was putting forth in this session focusing on animal health. Closing our meeting by asking questions, Representative Sam Killebrew answered with a wealth of wisdom and knowledge based on his personal experience.
January 23: Capital Classroom, Sahil, IB @ Bartow High School
On Tuesday of Capital Classroom, we had the amazing opportunity to listen to Senator Boyd, who represents Manatee and part of Hillsborough County. He talked about his experiences and journey as a Florida State Senator. He also shared with us his role in voting on bills, and his goals, like lowering taxes for people. I was able to learn a lot from him and have a good time - especially because he was such a caring and funny person. It showed me that most people in government are kind and that they work in the best interest of common people like me, despite what the media might suggest. Overall, it was a unique and interesting experience getting to talk to Senator Jim Boyd.
January 23: Ana, Winter Haven High School
We met with Mrs. Mary Clare Futc, who is the Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs for the Florida Department Of Commerce. We listened to her share valuable information. Mrs.Futch encouraged us to pursue our dreams and - most importantly - to endeavor thoroughly and explore new paths. Mrs. Futch is a very remarkable woman who taught us to open our horizons to build a future for our communities.
January 23: Temaria, Lakeland High School
This afternoon we had the pleasure of visiting Florida’s Old Capitol building. The Docent of the Old Capitol gave us the architectural history of the building ranging from 1845 to the present day. Later we partnered up and participated in a scavenger hunt of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches of the building; learning of many historical achievements throughout the years. My favorite part of this visit was coming up with a public issue that is important to me and creating a rally sign for it during the scavenger hunt!
Civic Scholars Celebrated
Polk State Collegiate High School Students were highlighted for their participation in our latest Community Classroom.
Two Civic Scholar participants were interviewed by the Polk State College News in January for their participation in our most recent Community Classroom program. The Foundation's Community Classroom, hosted each fall, invites high school juniors in Polk County to participate in a day of learning from local government agencies and elected officials to inspire and educate young leaders on the intricacies of government and civic engagement.
Zia Leidinger, 17, from Polk State College Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School, and Maison Sesser, 16, from Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School, were among the 30 high school students selected for this year’s enriching experience. The Community Classroom event kicked off with a morning session where students had the chance to interact with local government officials, including members of the Lakeland City Commission, the Polk County School Board, and County Commissioners. Zia Leidinger shared her enthusiasm, stating, "It was a great opportunity to learn about government. I got to meet new people and learn about the up-and-coming businesses."
The experience was not just informative but also surprising for the students. "What I learned that day (in Lakeland) was very eye-opening," Maison Sesser remarked. She emphasized the importance of understanding government, explaining that even though they may not vote or pay taxes yet, it is crucial to grasp how the government operates.
The afternoon session focused on civic engagement activities and provided an opportunity for students to interview for the Capital Classroom program, which includes a trip to Tallahassee for further civic engagement opportunities at a state level. Both Sesser and Leidinger were accepted for this next step in their civic education journey.
As they embark on this educational adventure, Sesser plans to major in business after earning her Associate in Arts, with aspirations for law school or a master's program. Leidinger, with an eye on engineering or architecture, found the Community Classroom experience to be an enjoyable learning opportunity, broadening her perspective on city and county government.
You can read the full article in the Polk State College News by clicking the button below.
Read More!
The Randy Roberts Foundation blog highlights exciting experiences from our Civic Scholars program and celebrates our outstanding students and alumni. Click on the arrows below to read more of our blogs from throughout the years and stay connected by following the links under the pictures below.
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From Civic Scholar to Federal Innovator: A Journey of Impact
Ten years ago, as a high school junior, Amanda embarked on a transformative journey with the Randy Roberts Foundation Civic Scholars program. Little did she know that this experience would shape not only her academic and professional trajectory but also inspire a life-long commitment to giving back.
In 2013, Amanda first participated in the Congressional Classroom as an IB at Bartow High student from Lakeland, Florida. With the Randy Roberts Foundation, she was able to travel to Washington, D.C. for civic engagement and witness the inner workings of the American government. This opened her eyes to the intricacies of our democratic system and marked the beginning of a long and meaningful relationship with the Foundation. Recognized as a Randy Roberts Foundation Scholar, she has since dedicated herself to this cause, serving on the Board and chaperoning four Congressional Classroom trips to Washington, D.C.
How It Helped Her: Navigating Paths and Building Skills
The Congressional Classroom was more than just a trip; it was a gateway to a world of possibilities. It showed Amanda the diverse career paths within federal public service and equipped her with essential skills to make meaningful connections and build a network of support. From learning how to ask intentional questions to the art of handwritten thank-you notes, the program laid the foundation for her future success.
Guided by the insights and encouragement of fellow RRF board member Todd Renner, Amanda found her passion in the intersection of technology and public service. Since 2019, she has been applying machine learning models and artificial intelligence algorithms to inform policymaker decision-making on national security issues. She has already been recognized in her field for innovation, collaboration, and mission impact.
Prior to her federal government service, Amanda worked at the Florida Division of Emergency Management where she played a vital role in the immediate statewide response and long-term recovery efforts to major natural disasters in her home state. While in state government, she demonstrated the Foundation’s mission of cultivating Florida’s future leaders by serving as the youngest Deputy Chief of Staff of a Florida state agency.
A decade later, the best practices instilled in her by the Randy Roberts Foundation continue to shape her approach to work.
Giving Back: A Commitment to Community
Amanda remains actively engaged in her community, exemplifying the spirit of giving back. Beyond her impactful work in her field, she now serves as a Board Member for the Randy Roberts Foundation, in addition to her work as Board Chair of Awesome Foundation DC, and Board Member for the Institute of Higher Awesome Studies.
Given all of Amanda’s impressive accomplishments, she still credits the Randy Roberts Foundation with the professional development skills, connections, and public service motivation that led her to where she is today. For these reasons, she continues to invest in the Foundation. She is committed to giving back so that high school students in Polk County Florida – just as she once was – can learn what it means to be a change-maker.
As we reflect on the transformative power of the Randy Roberts Foundation, Amanda’s journey stands as a testament to the impact of civic education. Together, let's continue to create opportunities that shape the future of our nation—one Civic Scholar at a time.
Please give generously today by visiting www.randyrobertsfoundation.org/donate.
Thank you for being a part of this journey and investing in the leaders of tomorrow.
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September 16, 2023
Today, the Class of 2024 Civic Scholars began its congressional classroom journey by partaking in the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC). Our tour guide names “Daniel” showed us the many parts of the Capitol building that are the same pieces that our country was founded upon. We learned that the entire city is based directionally on the compass in the center of the building. We also spent some time in the Statutory Hall where many important leaders in our nation’s history are on display. We had a wonderful time today learning about a few important pieces of our nation’s history!
By Taylor, LGHS ‘24September 17, 2023
Visiting the Library of Congress (LoC) was an incredible moment. There didn’t seem to be a single piece of the building that wasn’t somehow a form of art; from the mosaic tiling depicting mythological scenes and the history of Western knowledge to the elaborate carvings and relief art showing the Earth held by cherubs. Highlights included seeing the Gutenberg Bible on display, and a hall of incredible photographs ranging in subject matter; we enjoyed one of an old woman hula-hooping and a baby doing pull-ups. However, we were all most impressed by a display of Thomas Jefferson’s library, with significant portions if not the majority of the works being original surviving copies he owned, as well as by the LoC’s primary reading room. The latter was adorned lavishly with statues representing the pillars of the 19th-century interpretation of Western knowledge and was brightly colored in a range of reds, wood tones, and different stone materials. Visiting the Library of Congress was definitely an extremely memorable experience and will certainly stand out as one of the highlights of our trip. Thank you RRF!
By Juan, Bartow IBSeptember 18, 2023
From Lt. Col. David Dixon, whom we met in the Pentagon, we received some sound advice on garnering internships and connections everywhere that we go. Learning what it means to be a Lieutenant Colonel helped us understand what he does in the Pentagon and how we can carve our own paths by making cold calls and writing emails. His confident demeanor was encouraging for us as seniors in high school who are now looking toward our futures.
By Gisele, LHSSeptember 19, 2023
Today we went to the National Archives and looked around the Rotunda, examining the three most important documents in our US history. We looked at the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It made us think of how these three documents gave us most of our freedom and showed the people how committed we were to becoming the nation that we are now. This place is an important place to society and our country.
By John, Lake Wales High SchoolSeptember 20, 2023
Today, we were gifted the opportunity to meet with our District 18 Representative, Scott Franklin. He told us about his time as a pilot in the Navy, as a businessman, as a local politician, and his eventual jump into Federal politics. Representative Franklin emphasized the importance of keeping our options open because we never know when new opportunities will arise, as well as that one key to success, in any fashion in life, is building relationships and networking with others.
By Emilie, LCSSeptember 21, 2023
We met with the staff of Congresswoman Lee. The staff members who spoke with us varied in experience, but all were young and full of fresh ideas and determination to assist in whatever may be needed. It was inspiring to witness people of such different backgrounds work together to achieve the goal they each want of helping make a positive impact on their community.
By Juan, LWHS -
April 13, 2023
Through the Randy Roberts Foundation’s Capital Classroom, my cohort and I had the unique opportunity to meet many diverse groups that impact the legislature in Florida. At the Florida Chamber of Commerce, we were able to meet the Executive Vice President of Governmental & Political Relations, Frank Walker. Walker explained that the Chamber of Commerce focuses on improving Florida above anything else. Particularly, through Florida’s Six Pillars. Learning about the various factors that affect the legislative process, such as the Chamber members and their goals, was pivotal in understanding the depth of our government as a whole.
By Gisele, HSAApril 14, 2023
Meeting with the Florida Retail Federation was a truly great experience. We had some amazing speakers come and talk to us about lobbying and some large corporations that we have in the state of Florida. Ms. Grace Lovett from the Florida Retail Federation and Mr. Tommy Culligan from Publix are awesome and did an amazing job explaining what they do to serve their industries. The Florida Retail Federation wouldn’t be the same without them.
By Faith, LHSApril 15, 2023
The Randy Roberts Capital Classroom had the wonderful opportunity to tour the old Florida Capital Building. After hearing from Jacqueline Cruz about the changes in architecture from the original design to the current design, we got to participate in a scavenger hunt that we completed by touring the museum and looking at artifacts and history displays. This helped inform us of Florida's history and added another very informational piece to the day.
By Taylor, Lake Gibson SrApril 16, 2023
Through the Randy Roberts Foundation, my group and I had the opportunity to meet Representative Tomkow of the 51st district in the Florida House. She explained to us how she balances long work days in the Capital with running her own ranch business in Polk County. She told us her inspirational story of getting elected during the last semester of her senior year of college and impressed onto us the importance of being involved in our communities.
By Emilie, LCSApril 17, 2023
Meeting today with Representative Sam Killebrew was a great experience. We learned how bills go and come through his office. He also told us how 15,000 to 30,000 bills go through drafts and that he only receives about seven bills throughout the year. He also gave us some advice and told us that we shouldn’t let our morals or ethics get derailed and we should make decisions that would help the public! He also talked about the fact that if we want to help, we should vote. He also had a monkey named Ophelia which was funny because he had it decorated for Easter and everyone loved it and thought it was hilarious! I really appreciate Mr.Killebrew for giving us advice and talking to us!
By John, Lake Wales High SchoolApril 18, 2023
This unique opportunity presented to us by the Randy Roberts Foundation was highly educational, insightful, and good fun. Very few people at our high school age know much about the government systems that ultimately help establish how we live our daily lives. Being able to observe some of these systems and speak with individuals highly versed in government or government-adjacent fields was interesting. We learned of the power and importance of establishing connections and developing a network of personal relationships, through which opportunity opens itself. Despite experiencing a variety of perspectives from people of all different backgrounds, everyone from Frank Walker at the Chamber of Commerce to the Dean Mead contract lobbying group to Commissioner Simpson of the Dept. of Agriculture gave us one simple message: to work hard. To see people working in a variety of positions echo this motto showed us just how important it is to let this principle guide us, wherever we may end up. Overall, the experience was wonderful, and all of us are extremely thankful and look forward to future experiences with the government.
By Juan, IB Bartow
