Florida Virtual School Graduates Selected For National Civic Engagement in Washington, D.C.

August 27, 2026

Participants in NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026 gather in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Florida Virtual High School graduates Carmen Amar and Alvin Luu, pictured above, were among nearly 400 first-time voters selected for the national civic engagement program, held July 8-11.

Two recent Florida Virtual School (FLVS) graduates were selected to join nearly 400 first-time voters from across the United States and U.S. territories this summer for a national civic engagement program focused on civil discourse, public policy, and democratic participation.

2026 graduates Carmen Amar and Alvin Luu participated in NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026, a four-day program in Washington, D.C. that brought together young voters to discuss some of the nation’s most pressing issues ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

Hosted by the Close Up Foundation in partnership with Stanford University’s Deliberative Democracy Lab, Generation Lab, and the Hoover Institution’s Center for Revitalizing American Institutions, the program explored topics including artificial intelligence, immigration, foreign affairs, democracy, and elections.

Participants engaged in structured discussions designed to help them examine issues from multiple perspectives, practice respectful dialogue, and build confidence as civic participants. Students who completed the program earned a Deliberative Dialogue Badge.

“The most meaningful part was connecting with so many different people and perspectives,” said Luu. “Being in a room with folks from all different walks of life, hearing views that didn't always match my own, was genuinely eye-opening and honestly just a lot of fun, too.”

According to the Close Up Foundation, the NextGen Roundtable initiative helps young people strengthen civil discourse skills, better understand differing viewpoints, and develop the tools needed to participate in their communities and the democratic process.

Luu said his experience at FLVS helped prepare him for the opportunity through leadership roles, academic coursework, and involvement in student organizations.

He credited participation in DECA, the National English Honor Society, speech and debate, and coursework in civics, government, and history with helping him develop the skills needed for meaningful policy discussions.

“FLVS students should know they're fully capable of making a real impact in their community,” said Luu. “Seek out opportunities. Talk to people, get involved in your community, and be willing to learn.”

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