Hermitage High School senior Adam Skyes was one of 500 Virginia teens who recently participated in the YMCA Virginia Model General Assembly (VGMA), a program designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process of Virginia. Sykes served as “governor” this year – his third year in the VGMA program.

“I wanted to have a more active role in the process so I decided to run for governor,” he said. “I wanted to have a say in how we would move forward. My mom always said that I needed to be involved in extracurricular activities, so she was ecstatic when I was elected governor.”

As governor for the 2011-2012 year, he helped his team deal with such controversial issues as same-sex marriage, immigration, legalizing marijuana and gun control. At this year’s sessions, hundreds of bills were introduced and debated by participants who took on the roles of senators, delegates, Cabinet officers, lobbyists and news reporters. Legislation was debated in committees and on the floors of the Senate and House of Delegates.

“We had a great session this year,” said Sharon Davies, executive director of the Virginia YMCA. “Delegate Bob Brink even told me it was the best one he’s seen since he became involved in the 90s. The debate was constant and thorough. Participants were well-prepared and brought a lot of energy to the Capitol. Youth Governor Sykes laid out
his plan to pass bills that allowed equal rights for all, and he did just that.”