WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) welcomed students from Pompano Beach High School in Broward County to Washington, D.C. The students traveled to the nation’s capital to compete in Invent2Prevent, a national competition where high school and collegiate teams are challenged to develop initiatives, products and tools that raise public awareness, educate, and provide access to resources to address early risk factors that can lead to radicalization and violence. Photos from the visit are found here.

The Pompano Beach High School students, who are members of Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS) – a student ran club that was founded by Lori and Ilan Alhadeff after they lost their daughter, Alyssa, during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – will present their project “Bonding Buddies” to a panel of Department of Homeland Security executives, prevention subject matter experts, and academics. 

The project by the Pompano Beach students is aimed at eliminating social isolation and fostering relationships among Pompano Beach Elementary School youth by pairing older students with younger ones as mentors and using activities like gift-giving, bracelet-making, and icebreakers to build relationships and provide stability to students in need.

“The important role a mentor plays in a young person’s life cannot be overstated. The students at Pompano Beach High School are helping shape future generations and building life-long bonds across our community. I wish them the best of luck in their competition,” said Moskowitz.

Full details on the Pompano Beach Students and Invent2Prevent are found here.