Close Up Foundation

Students know the difference a great teacher makes—the one who makes you want to show up, speak up, and actually care about what you’re learning. That kind of impact deserves recognition ($$$).    Close Up presents the Linda Myers Chozen Award for Teaching Excellence:  - 5 amazing educators  - $2,500 award each - Recognition of their work in the classroom with purpose, creativity, and a commitment to civic education.    If you have a teacher who’s made a lasting impact on your life—someone who deserves their flowers—share the link in our story with them so they can nominate themselves!     Deadline: May 15, 2026.

It’s a privilege to host Native Youth Summit presentations on the Hill. We not only bring indigenous students face-to-face with their elected representatives, we give them a chance to advocate for the issues that affect their communities to decision-makers in Washington, D.C.

The Aldine Austin Academy brought students from multiple Houston-area schools to Austin, Texas for a civic engagement experience focused on public policy and Texas government. Students worked in committees on Crime and Safety and Inequality while developing policy proposals. Participants visited the Bullock Texas State History Museum and toured the Texas State Capitol to learn more about Texas history and government. Students also participated in a Texas State Issues Panel and Youth Agenda Convention. On the final day, students presented their Youth Agenda to policy officials at the Legislative Conference Center at the Capitol Complex. The program concluded with a visit to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and lunch at the University of Texas at Austin. Special thanks to Aldine Independent School District, the Texas State Capitol, Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, and the following panelists and public officials for helping make this experience possible: Randy Randolph, SAFE Austin Cindy Nguyen, GirlForward Gabriel Estrada, Austin Voices for Education and Youth Ryan Guajardo, Austin Child Guidance Center Cara Santucci, Office of Rep. Armando Walle Gloria Moreno, Office of U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia Giovanna DiNapoli, Office of Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado Mireya Garcia, Office of Texas State Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson Jeff Wolverton, Office of Texas State Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson

WPLG Local 10 recently reported on Close Up bringing hundreds of Broward County students to Tallahassee for the annual “Rally to Tally” program, where they engage directly with state government, present policy ideas, and gain hands-on civic and college exposure through a multi-day educational experience in partnership with Broward County Public Schools. Full coverage link in today’s story.

Teacher Appreciation Week is a reminder that the most meaningful civic lessons don’t start in D.C. - they start in your classrooms. You create the space where students wrestle with real issues, listen to perspectives different from their own, and begin to see their role in a larger community. At Close Up, we have the privilege of watching that work in motion. The questions students ask, the confidence they show, and the connections they make here all reflect the environment you’ve built long before they arrive. Thank you for challenging students to remain curious, to stay engaged, and to care about the world around them. We’re proud to support what teachers, tutors, youth program leaders, principals, admins, and all those fostering civics already set in motion and to partner with them in preparing the next generation to step into their role as active citizens.

Funding a student’s Close Up D.C. experience can shape a lifetime of civic engagement. Three generations of California Close Up alumni explain why. Each reflects on how their week in Washington, D.C. with Close Up broadened their perspectives, pushed them beyond their comfort zones, and helped them see civic participation as both attainable and vital to maintaining democracy. Together, they demonstrate the motivation, responsibility, and lasting impact that come from engaging with diverse viewpoints and real-world policy conversations. Ready to help shape the next generation of engaged citizens? Support a student at the link in our bio today!

The Osceola County High School Rally to Tally brought local Florida students Tallahassee for a hands-on civic engagement experience centered on leadership, public policy, and college readiness. Students worked in committees focused on: - Crime and Criminal Justice - Infrastructure and Public Services - Education - Health while researching issues, drafting proposals, and preparing questions for experts. Students engaged directly with leaders during the Florida State Issues Panel, toured the Florida State Capitol and Florida State Senate Chamber, and took part in a Youth Summit where they refined solutions to challenges facing Florida communities. On the final day, students presented their Youth Agenda to public officials and policy professionals at the Tallahassee State College Center for Innovation. The program concluded with a visit to Florida State University, where students attended an admissions session, toured campus, and connected with student leaders. Special thanks to @osceolaschoolsfl , Florida State Capitol, Florida State Senate, Kaitlyn Hewitt and the Office of U.S. Senator Rick Scott, @floridastateuniversity , @tallystate , and our amazing panelists for helping make this experience possible: - Ute Gazioch , Florida Behavioral Health Association - Dr. Gillian Stewart Gregory, Ed.D. Florida State University - Christian Minor - Florida Juvenile Justice Assoc - Lashawn Gordon, United Partners of Human Service - Mark Schlakman, FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights - Matt Singer, Florida League of Cities - Bill Hardin, Florida Department of Children and Families - Debra Rackley, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

Middle school program at the Tidal Basin!

Students know the difference a great teacher makes—the one who makes you want to show up, speak up, and actually care about what you’re learning. That kind of impact deserves recognition ($$$).    Close Up presents the Linda Myers Chozen Award for Teaching Excellence:  - 5 amazing educators  - $2,500 award each - Recognition of their work in the classroom with purpose, creativity, and a commitment to civic education.    If you have a teacher who’s made a lasting impact on your life—someone who deserves their flowers—share the link in our story with them so they can nominate themselves!     Deadline: May 15, 2026.

“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” - MLK, Jr.

Heads up: we’re in UP TIME ⬆️ This one goes out to the Civic Fellows and Civic Program Instructors of Close Up - a 50+ year legacy of those shaping the future of democracy one workshop at a time.

🌸🎟️️🌅 colors of Close Up #pinkaesthetic