More than a date on the calendar, 1776 represents a launching point of the qualities that make up American democracy, including but not limited to diversity, innovation, and perseverance. While not always perfect, communities of all sizes have drawn inspiration from these qualities to contribute to 250 years of the American experiment. Centering local stories within this national narrative helps young people grasp the indispensability of the human voice, in all its variety, in ensuring a robust democracy. This session will introduce participants to the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange Program, a signature civic engagement effort that supports youth in learning and reflecting on their community's unique role in the American Experience. Most importantly, they are paired with a group from another part of the country to share and reflect on their commonalities and their differences. We will share example projects from the nearly 100 exchanges to date, including one based in Corvallis, with a focus on impact on students, educators, and communities.