As Floridians we have all heard the stories: Cuban citizens constructing rafts from whatever materials they could muster, gathering a few meager provisions and then making the perilous journey across the Straits of Florida in an attempt to reach America.

But once these refugees reach our shores what remains to tell their story? Their rafts. That is exactly why Gene Waddell, Chairman of the Board of Indian River Charter High School, worked so hard to acquire the Cuban refugee raft that was left behind when two men and a young woman came ashore on Hutchinson Island in March of 2008. "As soon as I saw it in the paper," said Mr. Waddell "I knew this was exactly what we needed to send the message we wanted to send....To expound on freedom and basically give (local students) a little civics lesson." Mr. Waddell immediately spoke with the IRCHS Board about purchasing the raft for the school. "We have a mostly like minded Board and I felt certain that they would be receptive to the idea, and they were unanimously. This was a good idea!"

Once the Indian River Charter High School Board had acquired the raft the next step was to get a dedicated group of outgoing students who would be able to tell the story of the raft and its occupants. The task went to Indian River Charter High School's newly revamped Student Leadership Council and their sponsor, teacher Gary Miller. It was a perfect fit. Mr. Miller was looking for a project that would challenge the streamlined Leadership Council while at the same time giving the students an opportunity to interact with the community at large. "We're a little bit more empowered to do this" said Gary Miller, referring to the students of IRCHS. "This was a good project for us. We have enough flexibility and an attitude that school starts at a certain time and ends when we're done - not by the clock."

Their mission was set - find out as much as they could about the raft and its occupants and prepare a presentation that could be brought to schools, civic groups and other members of the community. The students soon discovered, however, that gathering information about their new project was not going to be as easy as it seemed. Even the members of the IRCHS Board who had acquired the raft knew only a few scant details of the people who built the raft and the extended journey that brought them to the shores of the Treasure Coast. The Leadership Council realized that they were going to have to kick their research skills into high gear. They contacted newspapers, police stations, the Coast Guard, Catholic Charities and other organizations who assist Cuban refugees once they arrive in Florida. It wasn't long before the students began to amass some significant details. The raft and its three passengers left from Mariel, Cuba at 9:30 p.m. on March 4 th 2008 intending to make the 90 mile journey to Miami. The raft was stocked with a few meager supplies including a plastic five gallon container of fresh water. During the journey the raft was caught in the powerful currents of the Gulf Stream and pulled into the Atlantic. The raft capsized several times during the crossing and many of the supplies they had brought were lost to the ocean waves. Finally after traveling for seven days and over three hundred miles the raft and its weary but thankful crew arrived on the beaches of South Hutchinson Island on March 11, at 1:30 am.

Even as the students discovered more and more information they began to realize that the story they were trying to tell still had some significant holes. For all the student's attempts they had not been able to contact the people who had made this remarkable voyage and discover their personal stories. What exactly had compelled them to leave Cuba for the United States? The students had spoken with other Cubans who had left their native land for a number of reasons. Some had left because of politics, some had come across to be reunited with family members and others had come for economic reasons, the chance to make a better life for themselves and their families. Time was ticking however and the twenty plus members of the IRCHS Leadership Council agreed that they needed to begin making the initial presentations of their duly named "American Freedom Project" while they continued the search for the two men and the young woman who risked their lives to come to America.

Finally in March of 2009 all the pieces were in place; the IRCHS Board had allotted funds for a custom built trailer to house the raft and take it on the road, the presentation was prepared, and the students were ready to tell the story. On a rainy morning in late March Gary Miller and three members of the leadership council, Ameilia Strazzulla, Justin Bosco and Austin Emard, loaded up their materials, hooked up the trailer and took the raft to the House of Refuge Museum in Stuart for their first public appearance. The students were definitely on their game as they spoke and interacted with the curious spectators. Young children traced the route of the raft with their fingers on a map the students had created and adults asked the IRCHS students questions about the ages of the passengers and how they had been able to build the raft in secrecy. At the end of the day, the three students were exhausted but exhilarated with what they had been able to achieve. "We were nervous at first about doing this presentation but now we feel like we're ready to take the raft just about anywhere. There is a lot that people can learn from this experience" said Leadership Council member Ameilia Strazzula.

Groups interested in experiencing the IRCHS "American Freedom Project" or who have information regarding the crew of the raft are encouraged to call Gary Miller at 772-567-6600 ext 225 or email at gmiller@irchs.org.