Posted January 26th, 2024
January 25, 2024
Mary Hare
Communications Coordinator
Macomb County Board of Commissioners
One South Main Street, 9th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Email: mary.hare@macombgov.org
Phone: 586-469-5125
Macomb County Board of Commissioners Hosts Second Annual Student Government Day
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners held its second annual Student Government Day on January 25th. This annual event is held to provide students from Macomb County schools with an opportunity to learn about the purpose and mechanics of county-level government and to participate in a way that would enhance their understanding of how local government works.
Board Chair Don Brown said Student Government Day was created by the Board last year in order to develop greater local government awareness among youth. The day was designed to get them more involved as they approach voting age.
“They will find that county government affects a lot of things they care about,” Brown said. “We are doing our bit to try and start to plant the seeds of awareness.”
To participate, students are required to submit an essay. This year’s essay topic was, “Compare and contrast the three levels of government in Michigan – local, county and state. Which one is the most successful in affecting the quality of life for its citizens and why?” 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 Monday, November 27, 2023, through Saturday, December 16, 2023.
Students were also invited to attend the program at the Board of Commissioners’ office in downtown Mount Clemens on January 25th. The day’s agenda began with a welcome address, followed by a presentation on the duties and responsibilities of a Commissioner with a Q&A session. Students then 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 drafting 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, Nolan Connolly from Anchor Bay High School. Nolan 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.
“Developing young leaders is essential to securing the future of Macomb County,” said Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb. “We are honored to help make this scholarship possible.”
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