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Radford students return from Model General Assembly; both school bills ultimately enacted in student government
Summary
Thirteen Radford High School students attended this year’s Model General Assembly in Richmond; the school’s two bills passed through MGA and one was vetoed then overridden, students and teacher leaders told the board.
Radford High School students and their advisor reported to the Radford City School Board on May 13 about their trip to the Model General Assembly in Richmond and the two bills they carried there.
Senora (Carol) Andrews introduced student presenters. Abigail Hodak, a senior and co‑president of the Radford Youth and Government club, told trustees that 13 students attended this year’s MGA in Richmond and outlined how the program runs, including committee meetings, bill hearings in the capital chamber, and a final governor’s action and override session.
Hodak said House Bill 18, which she presented with Elizabeth Woolery, “was passed all the way through with no amendments” and was signed by the student governor at the assembly. She described Senate Bill 21 (patronage attributed to Ellie Steele and Mason Murphy) as having “a slightly harder time” on the floor; it passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor and later overridden by the Senate during the MGA override session.
Students described MGA as a hands‑on civics program that develops public speaking, debate and legislative process skills. Hodak urged other students to try the club, saying the experience improved her public speaking and critical thinking and encouraged continued participation.
The board and trustees praised the students’ presentation; the district noted the trip marks a restart of consistent participation after a pandemic hiatus and highlighted the program’s educational value.
