ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120063
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Class Notes
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
Politicians are actors.
At least that's what some people say, and for some students it's true.
High school students from the Commonwealth have the opportunity to "act" out government roles through the Virginia YMCA Model General Assembly.
The students take roles of delegates and senators, mock debates about legislation and squabble about issues such as the speed limit, welfare reform, prisons, riverboat gambling and juvenile crime - just like the real General Assembly.
More than 750 students will participate in this year's mock session, including high students from Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski and Radford. The students will meet March 28-31 in Richmond, where they will use the state capitol as their stage.
In addition to senatorial and delegate roles, several students also get voted for specific positions, such as House Speaker, Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor and Governor.
Chris Donald, a senior at Blacksburg High School, is completing his term as youth governor for the Model General Assembly. Donald "won" his position last April after being nominated by the members of his district, which includes New River Valley, Roanoke and Alleghany. Donald then competed against five other district winners to win berth of his Governorship.
Donald campaigned for votes during last year's mock General Assembly by attending mock rallies, handing out brochures, hats and buttons - similar to a real election.
As governor, Donald has two staff members under him, including Russ Boyd of Radford. He also has access to the youth attorney general's staff. The staff members help track and research mock bills, deal with the mock press and assist with office duties, such as writing letters.
"The most important thing I've learned is how to work with people, to compromise and get things done so from that the best and most pragmatic plan emerges," Donald said.
He said the role of governor has not taken too much of his time. Last summer he attended a YMCA National Youth Governor's Conference in Washington, D.C., where he met with youth governors from other states. He also attended a YMCA Conference on National Affairs. He also has been a speaker for the Virginia YMCA Board of Directors and has attended several district Model General Assembly meetings. He also is a member of the Hi-Y Council.
"Just being there and meeting all these people from around the state who think the same way I do... talking with them, sharing ideas..." is the best experience.
Donald has been involved with the Model General Assembly for four years. In addition, he is involved with the Youth and Government Club and Student Council at Blacksburg High. In 1992, he was a page for the Virginia House of Delegates.
Donald says he wants to be involved with politics and is interested in studying social sciences in college. However, he plans to pursue a career in law or teaching history.
"It's the way that I can use my skills to help other people and to help the greater good," he said.
Donald's one-year term as youth governor ends at the end of the month. He is the son of Wayne and Darla Donald of Blacksburg.
An 8th-grade student at Auburn High-Middle School recently won the the Montgomery County Division Spelling Bee for middle school students.
Chris Purcell will compete at the regional competition March 23 in Roanoke. The division competition was among four students, who were winners of the spelling bee at their schools.
The winning word for Purcell was "solarium," which means the dictionary defines as a "glassed-in porch, room, etc., where people sun themselves, as in treating an illness."
Purcell said that he didn't study for the competition, "I just went in cold." Purcell is a member of Junior Beta and plays basketball on the middle school team. He is the son of Wayne and Nanci Purcell.
The other contestants were Elizabeth Hagood, a 6th-grader at Shawsville Middle/High School; Chris Plemmons, a 7th-grader at Blacksburg Middle School and Timothy Mays, an 8th-grader at Christiansburg Middle School.
Hagood is the county alternate for the regional competition.
A kindergartner at Macy McClaugherty School in Giles County recently won a $1,000 U.S. Savings. Ethan McGuire won the money during a fund-raiser held at the school in the fall. The savings bond was given by Computers For Education in a drawing from the names of students who participated in the fund-raiser.
Ethan's parents, Randal and Kaye, will put the money toward his college education.
Timothy Nelson, a sophomore at Christiansburg High School, has been selected to attend the Freedom Leadership Youth Conference in Valley Forge, Pa. in April. The four-day conference consists of lectures, workshops and tours. The program is designed to encourage participants about the future of America and their jobs as responsible citizens. As part of the selection process, Nelson had to write an essay and be interviewed by a Military Order of the World Wars committee.
Nelson is the son of Charles and Norma Nelson of Christiansburg.
EVENTS, MEETINGS AND HAPPENINGS
Prices Fork Elementary will have its spring book fair March 12-15 in the school library. The book fair hours are: Tuesday and Wednesday 8:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Proceeds from the book fair will go toward the purchase of books and supplies for the library.
Blacksburg High School will have an awards program to honor all winter sport athletes, varsity and junior varsity, March 18. The program will be in the auditorium at 7 p.m. The Blacksburg High Boosters will honor parents, students and friends with a reception afterwards.
The Montgomery County Public Schools Title I Program will have its March county-wide parent meeting at Christiansburg Primary School March 19 at 7 p.m. This month's topic is "Encouraging Good Homework Habits." Title I parents are invited to come and learn about activities designed to make homework time part of the routine at the house.
Annette Perkins, Montgomery County School Board Chair, will be the guest speaker at the Margaret Beeks Elementary School PTA meeting March 14. The program will be at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Beeks' students also will present their Odyssey of the Mind projects.
Pulaski Middle School will have its annual Oriole Follies Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. The program will include dance, music and acting - by a cast of teachers and parents. This year, the program also will feature a male beauty pageant. Jeff McCoy, the school drama teacher, will be the guest director.,
Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. Refreshments will be sold. The program is a fund-raiser and is sponsored by the Oriole Parent Team.
LENGTH: Long : 128 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Purcell, Donald, McGuire.by CNB