DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) – A Coffee High School sophomore is making a big impact beyond the classroom.

Grayson Taylor helped secure a $2,500 grant from the Same House organization to support the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber Student Ambassadors program — giving his peers a front-row seat to Georgia’s legislative process.

Thanks to the grant, 11 students traveled to the Georgia Capitol during the legislative session, where they met with key state leaders, including Attorney General Chris Carr and Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. The funding covered travel, lodging and meals, making the trip possible for students who may not have otherwise had the opportunity.

The grant was administered through the University of Georgia’s Fanning Institute, which focuses on leadership development across the state.

“This experience gave us real insight into how the government works and showed us the value of public service,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s initiative is helping bridge the gap between rural students and Georgia’s policymakers — offering hands-on leadership training and empowering a new generation of civic-minded youth in South Georgia.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.