A presentation regarding the kick-off for the CSI Project, or Citizen Scholar Institute Diploma Seal, was held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. The Royal High School civics teachers, inspired by the “Guardians of Democracy” report, teamed up with the Reagan Library to develop this program, which is the only one of its kind in the country. Students are empowered to create unique service projects that improve the lives of others through civic engagement, service learning, and social accountability. Through their self-designed initiatives, they are guided through a year-long process of “making our world just a little bit better”.

John Downey, Brian Dennert, Kevin Habroun, the CSI coordinator from the Reagan Library, and Stephanie Russo presented. The presentation covered the meaning of a CSI project, Simon Sinek’s “Golden Circle” of What, How, Why, and a special showcase of Russos’ CSI Project of music therapy for senior citizens. Immediately following the initial presentation, students moved to the round tables with their groups in the Library’s central commons under the famous Air Force 1 plane. In this workshop, students discussed project ideas with their groups and met with the teachers overviewing the program, along with Russo herself for inspiration.