Interview with Mr. Mingee

Interview with Mr. Mingee 

By Daisana Pittman – Bethel High School 

Modern General Assembly is a program that creates a stimulating environment to young leaders with the same desire to explore the limits of nature by exceeding expectations. The different positions that students can do range from being a bill patron to a reporter. MGA accommodates a diverse group of people that share the same mindset. Also, with a wide range of backgrounds and interests, you can learn a lot by being exposed to this growing niche program. Knowing about your community is very important. Delivering laws that can be enforced to make a change in Virginia is the best thing us leaders can provide. As this program continues to grow, we learn more about the government and how important it is in our everyday life. 

  

Mr. Mingee, who was previously the President of Modern General Assembly, stated: “It’s a wonderful experience and it’s the most realistic thing we can do for students to stimulating government. Students write the legislation, sit in the same seat as their legislators, debate, amend, elect the governor and other officers.” Having the intellectual keenness to absorb every ounce of knowledge presented through MGA is profoundly for students.  

  

Mr. Mingee was then able to come back and become an advisor. “Did this as a student years ago at Bethel, such a positive experience that I wanted to come back and be involved in some way. Several students asked me, can you be the advisor for this thing called MGA? First year I was an advisor it was actually during spring break. 4 seniors went and they had a great experience. Here we are 15 years later and it still keeps growing.” With that being said MGA is a well-respected program that upholds its traditions and values from the time of its foundation. This is something students can look back on and further their passion for government. 

  

Being President at Modern General Assembly can affect your life physically and mentally. With this being said Mr. Mingee stated that “It’s a lot more pressure on the president because they are the one that speaks on Friday nights. They are the face, as far as the adults go the Youth Governor Tommy this year is the face for all the students. For the adults, whoever the president is of the Board of Directors is the face. It’s a bit more pressure on you. It also allows you to talk to a lot more people that you really wouldn’t talk to.” Taking that into consideration being president is not an easy job. You have to take upon a lot of tasks that really important to MGA. You look over so many students, as well as advisors. But on the bright side you meet and network with others which builds your communication skills throughout this program.