The Key West Ambassadors Academy graduated its 44th class during this week’s City Commission meeting. They join over 700 citizens who now have a better insight as to the workings of City government. Each class of the Key West Ambassadors Academy has been a special blend of dedicated, involved citizens.

During the City Commission meeting, Class Captain Bob Hall commended the program and the Commission for supporting it.

“Informed citizens are the absolute cornerstone of a well-functioning government,” said Hall. “And there is no better way to communicate than with this ambassador program. The City employees were amazing at every level. The expertise, the knowledge, the experience, their willingness to take the time to help us learn was over the top. I am so proud to be a member of this community in a place where the people love it so much that they work this hard.”

The class has embarked on two class projects.

“In the spirit of thanks and giving back,” said Hall, “and thanks to Strunk Hardware, we are creating a permanent plogging station at Smathers beach.”

The station will provide buckets and grabbers so people can do cleanups on their own schedule. A second, longer-term project the group is exploring is finding an affordable means of refurbishing the trash cans on Duval Street.

Several City leaders, including Mayor Danise “DeeDee” Henriquez and Commissioners Sam Kauffman and Lissette Carey, were elected after finishing this program. Other alumni have served as commissioners as well as sitting on a variety of other City boards.

The Key West Ambassadors Academy was established in 2003 by then City Manager Julio Avael. Class 45 is slated to begin in mid-July. Applications will be available the first week in June on the City’s website.