Events
What is the Purpose of the Student Government Program?
To provide our community’s youth the opportunity to learn the purpose and mechanics of county-level government, and be able to participate in a way to further their understanding of how local government works. Students who recognize and understand this will become more informed and involved citizens and voters.
Former President Richard Nixon wrote in his 1972 Proclamation: National Student Government Day, that student government organizations can “offer young people early and vital experience in exercising a voice in matters of common concern, reconciling diverse interests, and selecting leaders to express representative views. Equally important, active and responsible student governments can exert a constructive influence in shaping the on-going reform and self renewal of our educational communities.”
Student Government Day Recap – January 23, 2025
To participate, students were required to submit an essay. This year’s essay topic was, “What are the most prominent current environmental threats that affect our local area and what can be done to address them?” Commissioners choose a winning essay and the writer is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The contest was open to all Macomb County students at public and private schools in grades 9-12. The submission window was from Tuesday, October 22, 2024, through Saturday, December 20, 2024.
After submitting an essay, students were invited to attend the program at the Board of Commissioners’ office in downtown Mount Clemens on January 23rd. The day’s agenda began with a welcome address by the Board Chair, followed by a presentation on the duties and responsibilities of a Commissioner with a Q&A session. Students then participated in small group discussions with Commissioners that covered topics such as transparency in government, the County budget process and common Commissioner situations. The second half of the day the students drafted a proclamation/tribute then were paired up with Commissioners for a mock meeting to close out the program.
During the Full Board Meeting at 3:00 PM, the Board of Commissioners announced the winner of the essay, Megan Morell from Lake Shore High School was awarded the $1,000 scholarship, which was provided thanks to a partnership from Advancing Macomb, a 501c3 that convenes resources to solve community challenges and enrich the lives of Macomb County residents.
For a summary of 2024’s Student Government Day, please visit bocmacomb.org/student-government-day-2024/.
Macomb County Board of Commissioners Student Government Scholarship
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners, led by Chairman Joe Sabatini, is excited to announce this year’s winner of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners Student Government Scholarship, Megan Morell! This scholarship was awarded to Megan, who submitted the most insightful and well-thought-out essay among those submitted, during our Second Annual Student Government Day on January 23, 2025. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000.
Contact the Board Office at bocadmin@macombgov.org or 586-469-5125 with any questions regarding this program.
