VACo Board Member and Rockingham County Supervisor Billy Kyger (left) receives the Service to Youth Award from Governor Ralph Northam and the Virginia YMCA for Kyger’s continued work and support of the Model General Assembly.
Each spring, more than 550 high school students from across the Commonwealth descend on Richmond to take part in the Virginia YMCA’s annual Mock General Assembly. For three days, these students immerse themselves in Virginia’s legislative process, serving the conference as legislators, reporters, lobbyists, and elected officials and grappling with the very same issues that the real legislature contends with. In addition to their work, participants in the program are also able to hear from and interact with numerous state government officials throughout the weekend. This year, students were fortunate enough to hear speeches from and work with Governor Ralph Northam, Senator Monty Mason, Delegate Rob Bloxom, and Clerk of the House of Delegates Paul Nardo.
For years, VACo staff have been pleased to lend their time and expertise to this annual event as Resource Volunteers, advisors who provide procedural and subject matter guidance to the participating students and their respective committees. This year, VACo was well represented by Khaki LaRiviere, Chris McDonald, and recently retired VACo staff member Larry Land. LaRiviere and Land served as advisors to the Senate Committee on Local Government, while McDonald served as an advisor to the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns. Additionally, VACo Board Member Billy Kyger was recognized by the Virginia YMCA and presented with the Service to Youth Award, honoring his longtime service to the program and his tenure as Model General Assembly advisor for Rockingham County Schools.