Miami

South Florida High School Students Heading to Washington D.C. to Share Experiences With School Violence

What to Know

  • Around 50 high school seniors who are part of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project are part of the three day event.
  • The students – from schools including Miami Northwestern, Central, Norland, Carol City, Hallandale and more – are taking part.

Dozens of students from schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties will be in the nation’s capital on Tuesday to share their experiences with school violence and proposals for gun law reform in the wake of recent school shootings – including the deadly February massacre in Parkland.

Around 50 high school seniors who are part of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project left Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport early Tuesday morning for the three day event in Washington D.C.

"I feel like it’s important for men of color, because we are the main victims and gun violence," said member Devery Russell. "We are the future, so we are the ones that have to grow up living in this world, so we should have to have our voices heard."

The students – from schools including Miami Northwestern, Central, Norland, Carol City, Hallandale and more – will be joined by students from across the county in meeting with politicians as well as get a firsthand look at government in action.

Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people were killed on February 14th, are expected to join the group on Wednesday when they meet with members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force – including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as well as South Florida members of Congress such as Reps. Ted Deutch and Frederica Wilson, one of the group's founders.

Some students say after the recent deaths in Liberty City, including those involving students from Northwestern, they had enough and it was time to act.

"As kids, as young women and young men, our voices deserve to be heard and for our voice to be heard, we want a change in our community," said member Jennifer Mirbelle.

Program members will also get a change to tour the city and visit educational and historical sites, museums and participate in other events.

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