The Rewards of MGA


By: Rachel Bradley


            Model General Assembly (MGA) introduces interested high school students to the intricate legislative process. Students will learn about the legislative process of the Commonwealth of Virginia, by creating their own bills and arguing them in Richmond in front of different parts of the U.S. congress. The MGA mock conference is held once a year. This year the MGA conference is being held on March 23-25. There are a total of 39 schools involved with MGA. Within their school clubs, students have the chance to hold the jobs of being bill patrons, lobbyists, reporters, delegate and even a committee chair. The diversity of all the students that attend MGA brings a plethora of innovative bills to attention.
            I think that MGA is a very rewarding club that more people from Virginia schools should get involved with. The elected officer Speaker of the House, Sam Mustafa, says “My experience this year has been very different than it was last year since I was a Senator then and I am an office now. I miss being able to debate like I did last year, but I am enjoying the responsibility and the public speaking opportunities that come with being House Speaker. MGA has encouraged me to become more outgoing and confident through its legislative process of passing bills.” She also answered the question, “Why should people join MGA?”
            Being new to MGA can be intimidating at first, but that should not discourage students from being a part of MGA. One new member of the MGA community is a boy named Will Sacest who is from HB Woodlawn Secondary school in Arlington Virginia. Will said that he really enjoys his job as a lobbyist. Will says “Being a lobbyist I have to study all the bill I will be talking on and have to prepare myself for being in front of committees. Being a part of MGA is a lot of work but I am really enjoying all the collaboration and new ideas on certain topics. I recommend MGA for the students that need a boost out of their comfort zone.” All students should at least think of being a part of MGA at one point in their high school careers.
            During the reporting press conference the question “How has MGA impacted you for the future” was asked to the Youth Governor and he responded “I have definitely learned a lot of speaking skills. I am from a smaller town in Southwest Virginia and though the program of MGA I have been exposed to new opinions and has made me a more open minded person.”
Being in MGA encourages students to step out of their comfort zone and push themselves to be their very best.

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