AWARDS

2008

American School Board Journal - Magna Award

The American School Board Journal selected the "Ought To Be a Law" program as the most innovative district program in the nation.

The “Ought to Be a Law” Student Bill Drafting Competition is the first program of its kind in the nation to offer students the chance to compete in a bill drafting contest with the hopes of creating an actual law. Started at one Hillsborough County high school and since expanded to all 25 high schools, students vote for and then lobby the state legislature to pass a bill.

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2010

Tampa Bay Lightning - Community Heroes Recognition

The NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning honored OTBAL students for their efforts while working their bill idea, No smoking in cars with minors. The lightning made a intermission presentation outlining the success of the OTBAL program.

2012

Kids Voting USA - National Making an Impact Award

The National Chapter of Kids Voting USA awarded the OTBAL program from Armwood High School in Seffner, FL the National High School division award for their work in having the top civic engagement program in the country. Students were invited to speak at the KVUSA 20th Anniversary symposium along with former Press secretary to former President Bill Clinton, Mike McCreary. The Students were awarded at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.

 View their Presentation                                                View Awards Ceremony

2012

Tampa Bay Rays - Community Hero Recognition

The Tampa Bay Rays and Major League Baseball invited OTBAL students to be recognized for their work in helping homeless youth with the passage of their new law. Students were recognized on the first baseline prior to the first pitch at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

2022

American Civic Education Teacher Awards

The Center for Civic Education (Calabasas, CA) in conjunction with the Center for Representative Democracy (University of Indiana) and the National Education Association named our own Ought to be a Law project coordinator and civics teacher Tony Pirotta as one of three national award winners. Mr. Pirotta has led the Ought to be a Law program through the signing of 5 pieces of legislation and is currently working to expand the program across Hillsborough County Schools 28 public high schools. He has been working with the OTBAL program since 2007.

"The ACETA awards recognize civics and government teachers who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, dynamism, and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution; U.S. government at the federal, state, and local levels; and public policy. The ACETA program also informs the public of the challenges of teaching and the different conditions under which teachers serve the public good. The awardees share a passion for civic education and its role in supporting democratic norms." - Center for Civic Education

2023

Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce - Teaching to Excellence Award

Mr. Tony Pirotta was awarded a teaching for excellence award from the Riverview Chamber of Commerce for his work with the Ought to be a Law program. He brought the program to Riverview in 2020 and subsequently worked with students to pass a law helping foster children know their rights and places to safely report abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Mr. Pirotta was also named Sumner High School Teacher of the Year in 2022.