ORLANDO, Fla. — More than 40 Orange County high school students are headed to the nation’s capital.

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Thanks to the support of local organizations, students in the Junior Reserve Law Enforcement program at Jones and Lake Nona high schools traveled to Washington, D.C. on Friday for a field trip.

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“The Orlando Police Department initiated the Youth Engagement Strategy to engage youth in more positive relationships with law enforcement officers, with the goal of investing in the academic success of our youth,” said Orlando Police Department Chief Orlando Rolón. “The impact of the charity of the Kiwanis Organization will have a lasting effect on our youth.”

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The Orlando Police Department started the program to help build better relationships with youth.

“This trip gives the students an opportunity to see that we value them, and we want them to be successful; and hopefully, it will inspire them to be successful and spur academic success,” said youth outreach coordinator Marcus Hyatt.

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The Kiwanis Club of Orlando donated over $74,000 to make this field trip happen.

“We wanted the opportunity to invest in our students, ensuring that this field trip can take place. We are honored to be able to donate this needed funding to these inspiring kids,” said Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation President Matt West.

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