Sophmore at MGA

This is my second year at MGA. Last year I was a page who delivered messages and guarded the House Chamber's doors. This year I am a reporter. We write articles for MGA Times, interview candidates, and attend press conferences . The first night we brainstormed and came up with ideas for the newpaper we were to present. The next day, we conduct interviews and writes our stories. From Friday morning till 2:30 in the afternoon, we are in a rush to finish and proofread our articles for the newspaper. Once done writing, we wait while the papers are printed. From then on out the reporters relax for the rest of the day. This morning we woke up and came to the GAB where we blog and discuss topics regarding MGA as I am now. This year has been a learning experience that I really enjoyed. I am glad I was able to be a part of this great time. I can't wait for next year!

My first and last year at MGA has been one to remember. Not only did I meet some wonderful people but learned the perks of being a reporter.The reporters were at work and had a lot on there shoulders, but it paid off in the end. We created a newspaper, interviewed candidates runnning for office, and experienced what it was like to debate a bill. Although we were hard at work most of the time, we had some fun also. I was a little nervous when we arrived due to the fact i was the only reporter from my school and the fact i had never done this before, but I was quickly reassured by the friendly people. Although we had some what of a rough walk everyday, I got to see some wonderful sites at Richmond. I would reccomend MGA to anyone who asks about it because it is an experience that you will never forget.

My first year at MGA has been the least to say interesting. I made friends and shared laughs with people I've never met before in my entire life. I never knew Virginia was so big. I always just thought about my little dinky town, and then I get here and there are like 400-500 kids here. All of the diversity has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Having all these different groups of people brings all differnent viewpoints to everything that passes through every commitee and every floor session which is critical to making a compromise possible. If i had any advice for the upcoming people at MGA it would deffinetly be first and foremost, make sure your door is shut before you start changing, girls-bring band-aids, and then make the most of every possible second of this experience. It may only be three days, and you may be on the go 24/7 and miss a meal or two, but it is so worth it. The friends and memories made, all the laughs and smiles shared, and all the stupid and lame pictures taken, DO NOT EVER forget them. Point-blank, this experience is a chance to grow and step out of your shell. Actually pay attention, the things that everyone is talking about are really relevant and can help later on when you can (or if you're 18) vote, or take a chance and say, "Hi." to the kid sitting next to you, who knows, that could turn into a friendship for the ages. MGA is a wonderful experience and even though I'ma Senior in high school and this is my first time here, if I had the opportunity to come back next year, there would not be anything stopping me.

Well this year I'm a new comer to the YMCA and i wish i would have known about this program before i was a senior. If a had the opportunity to come next year hell yea i will. Like it all started getting my bags ready, then we had a 2 1/2 hour drive to Richmond, it was fun i may say. But when we got to the hotel men it was pretty elegant hotel. Me and my friends were staying at the 10Th floor so best believe we had a awesome view. I played the role as a reporter and I'm pretty happy of the work are team did. We got hear on a Thursday afternoon and had a dead line on Friday at 2:30pm. It may sound like we had the preacher on us but the truth is that we had in off time to interview and type up are story. I liked being a reporter because first you have axis every ware and second you get to see the expression of students and staff when they read your MGA Times at Fridays dinner. Just hearing them talk about the topic i rote mad me proud of being a reporter. My experience in over all heir at the YMCA was awesome and if i had the opportunity to come next year i will definitely come.

Tainannett Centeno, Arlington Career Center

A Great Time at MGA

This is my second year at MGA and it is great! Last year I served as a page, and this year my current role is a reporter. At MGA we discuss and debate bills; however, the reporters have a different job. The reporters write a paper on major bills, MGA officer elections , and many other changes to the MGA system. After 2:30pm on friday, the paper must be finished, and the two hundred some copies are brought back to the hotel before the second election that night. I wrote a report on the change of the underclassmen legislature. This is a system in which new, typically freshmen, participants to MGA have a chance to learn how MGA works, so they have a good understanding of how to debate in the next couple of years. After the paper is written, the job of a reporter is pretty "laid back." Next year I plan to be a delegate or senator so I can debate and discuss bills. This is one of the highlights of each school year, so I am looking forward to it next year!

My Life at MGA

My life at MGA has been hectic but fun. On the first day, after getting lost trying to find a restaurant, we got right to work. As a reporter, I worked with my group members to come up with story ideas then went to the committee meetings to scope out some controversial bills. By the time we got back to the hotel it was pretty late but the energy of the first day kept us going. On the second day the most exciting part came, interviews. All the reporters went to interview a candidate for office at MGA, and then rushed back to the General Assembly Building to type, proofread, and print the stories. That night was the dance. After a cocktail style dinner we held the elections then went to our rooms to put on our dresses and ties. With blasting music and flashing lights we danced the night away. After a late night we get up on the third day to go for the last time to the capitol. This experience has been fun and I hope to come back next year. If I could give advice to someone coming next year I would say to bring an umbrella, a map, and get a good night’s sleep before you come.

Shelby Brooks, Radford

MGA Experience 2011

My experience at MGA this year has been fabulous. This is my first trip to MGA, and I have so many wonderful memories. For instance, before arriving at MGA my school stopped at Short Pump Mall, and my friends and I took funny pictures in numerous odd locations. Another fun experience was cramming about 25 people in the same elevator, which was definitely scary because I was certain the elevator would break and I would be stuck in the hot, cramped elevator forever. Another funny memory occurred when a friend of mine accidentally grabbed the wrong pair of shoes at the pool and had to run back to the pool deck to return them. My role at MGA this year was a reporter. I enjoyed listening in on the debates in both the House and the Senate and writing articles about the candidates and meaningful bills. I also was able to see how difficult it is to be a reporter. The process of making the newspaper was slightly hectic, but the finished product was well worth all the hard work. Overall, even though I did not get much sleep I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will definitely come back next year to make more memories and have more fun. By: Sarah Irby