The Georgia Department of Education today announced the students selected as Georgia's delegates and alternates to the 2026 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Ms. Amira Alina Dhople (Carrollton High School, Carroll County School System) and Mr. Mason Lee Slaughter (Lowndes High School, Lowndes County Schools) will represent Georgia during the 64th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 7-14, 2026.

Mr. Jose Simon Tabares (Mountain View High School, Gwinnett County Public Schools) and Ms. Savannah Grace Viktora (Adairsville High School, Bartow County School System) were chosen as alternates for the 2026 program.

"Amira, Mason, Jose, and Savannah represent the very best of Georgia's students," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. "Through their leadership, academic achievement, and dedication to serving others, they have already demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement. The United States Senate Youth Program offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from our nation's leaders, and I am confident these students will bring that experience back to their schools and communities as informed, engaged citizens."

Each year, the USSYP brings the most outstanding high school students—two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity—to Washington, D.C., for an intensive weeklong study of the federal government and the people who lead it. During the program week, student delegates attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of Congress, a Supreme Court justice, Cabinet officials, and other national leaders.

The program's overall mission is to instill in each class of USSYP student delegates a more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. Georgia's delegates will join a 104-student national delegation and will each receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962, is sponsored by the United States Senate, and has been fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since its inception.

Delegates

Amira Alina Dhople, a senior at Carrollton High School, serves as Director of Communications for the Georgia Secretary of State's Student Ambassador Program, where she promotes civic engagement through voter education and registration initiatives. She is also the founder of Carrollton's Teen Youth Court, a program that provides students with firsthand experience in the legal system while helping reduce juvenile recidivism. Dhople serves in leadership roles with her city's Youth Council, Civics Club, and Key Club, and is a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient. She plans to pursue a degree in public policy with a focus on international trade law.

Mason Lee Slaughter, a senior at Lowndes High School, serves as president of Model United Nations and holds leadership roles in Technology Student Association, Class Cabinet, and Mu Alpha Theta. He was selected as Mr. LHS, serving as his school's student ambassador, and is president of the Leadership Lowndes Youth Program. Slaughter is also involved in community service through the Family Autism Support Team, where he supports youth with autism. He plans to pursue a career in law and public service.

Alternates

Jose Simon Tabares, a senior at Mountain View High School, serves as Lieutenant Governor for the Georgia District of Key Club International and as Communications Director for the Georgia Association of Student Councils. Tabares plans to study political science or international relations on a pre-law track and pursue a career in public service.

Savannah Grace Viktora, a senior at Adairsville High School, is student body president and serves as Youth Lieutenant Governor for Engage, Georgia's civic engagement Career and Technical Student Organization. Viktora plans to study public policy and pursue a career as a public policy advocate.

Please visit the GaDOE USSYP Excellence Recognition webpage for more information.