What Brings People Back to MGA


By: Jackson Aldridge

            Every year at MGA, a staff of MGA alumni work to make the experience possible. These alumni work in chambers, the underclassmen legislature, and even as reporter coordinators. Despite being part of MGA for many years and even attending CONA (Council On National Affairs), these alumni always come back. So what is about MGA that draws these college alumni back each year?
            One MGA alumni, who is also the program director, Spencer Snyder, is involved with almost everything going on at MGA. Spencer got started with MGA when he was asked to be the vice president of his Hi-Y club. After winning the election, Spencer was the only person from his club who was able to attend MGA, and he did so without knowing much about it. The MGA experience changed Spencer in that he pursued a degree in political science in college. According to Spencer, MGA is an rare opportunity that students have to voice their opinions. This positive experience is what brings people back to MGA each year.
            Much like Spencer, Jeremy Nelson is another MGA alumni who became involved when he ran for office; however, Jeremy has had an interest in politics since he was a middle schooler. Jeremy believes that being part of MGA opened him up and allowed him to say yes to more opportunities that arise in his life. Furthermore, he thinks that MGA allows students to envision themselves in the world and “cross a threshold” to become more outgoing people. According to Jeremy, college staffers come back to MGA after so many years because they feel a “sense of duty” to give more people the opportunity to participate in a free exchange of ideas.
          One MGA alumni did not even become involved with the conference until he was in 11th grade. This person is Joe Melton. Like many first time MGA attendees, Joe did not know what he was getting into, but once he get involved he could not stop. What Joe loves the most is how people can gather together and focus on a real debatable topic. After all, these debates are what allowed Joe to break his tendency to be shy and ultimately steered him toward studying political science in college. Because MGA has done so much for him, Joe comes back every year because he feels a need to give back to the program.  

       All these college alumni share a love and passion for MGA that fuels them to come back each year. It it not only the passion, but the great experiences had at MGA and the desire to give back to the conference that bring alumni back year after year. 

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