Katie Gorka, Senior Advisor for Civic Education at the U.S. Department of Education, visited Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden, Massachusetts on Mar. 12 as part of the department’s national History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour. The event is one of several planned to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday and aims to strengthen civic literacy among students.
The initiative seeks to help students connect personally with America’s founding principles by engaging them in interactive activities focused on history and civics. At Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, about 300 students from ninth through twelfth grade participated in games designed to deepen their understanding of American history and the role Massachusetts has played in shaping the nation.
The event began with remarks from Director and Superintendent Alex Dan and Assistant Superintendent Chris Finn before Gorka addressed the students. "Few places can claim a deeper connection to the founding of the United States than Massachusetts," said Katie Gorka. "Events like History Rocks! give students the chance to experience our nation’s history in a tangible way. When young people engage with the ideas and debates that shaped our country, they see that the American story is not finished, and they understand that they have a role in writing its next chapter."
History Rocks! is part of broader efforts by the U.S. Department of Education, working alongside Freedom 250 and coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, to highlight high-quality history and civics instruction across all 50 states during this milestone year. The coalition includes organizations such as America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 50 other groups dedicated to advancing civic education.
Freedom 250 leads presidential programming for America's semiquincentennial celebration with a mission focused on honoring history, cherishing freedoms, and building opportunities for future generations.
