**PHOENIX (AZFamily)** — About 300 students from across Arizona boarded the Arizona Cardinals team plane Wednesday for a trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the 2026 Civic Matters Arizona program.
The students gathered at the 24th Street Station at Sky Harbor for a send-off event attended by Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell and team leaders.
The students won an essay contest on civics to earn their spots on the trip. Some have never left their hometown, and some have never been on a plane.
“Super exciting. These kids are going to get this amazing four-day trip,” Bidwell said. “All expenses paid to Washington, D.C.”
The trip is partnered with the governor’s office and sponsored by Desert Financial and Gallagher.
During the four-day trip, the students will visit the Capitol and the Supreme Court. They will also meet Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
“Their view of the world is going to dramatically expand and their role in that,” Bidwell said. “So some of these kids have never left their hometown.”
One student said the experience would be life-changing.
“I’m excited to get to know Washington, the memorials and everything,” the student said. “And I get to be with my friends. So I feel like it’s a life-changing experience for me.”
Another student said they hoped to learn about leadership and community.
“I’m hoping to learn more about leadership, more about community, and how everyone could just work together and, you know, be a family,” the student said.
The program aims to teach students the value of civic engagement and how government works.
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