Since 1971, Close Up's mission has been to inspire and educate young people to be active and engaged citizens. More than 700,000 students and teachers from across the country have participated in one of Close Up's transformational programs. These programs have left young people with a mandate to become active citizens by getting involved in their schools, communities, and country in a variety of ways.

Many Close Up alums have gone on to run for local, state, and national offices. Many have become advocates for special interests, inspired to become educators, or simply committed to staying informed on current policy issues. Please take a moment to tell us:

1. What year you participated on Close Up;

2. What you are doing now; and

3. How your Close Up experience influenced your view on politics and your role as a citizen.

We look forward to hearing from you soon! To share your story, e-mail Zach at zhusid@closeup.org.