By RYAN SKAITH
Following the success of their inaugural meeting in late 2025, the City of St. Joseph hosted its second Student in Government Day on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at emPowerU.
The event marked a transition from broad brainstorming to concrete action, as students from across the district returned to refine the local improvement goals they identified during their first session.
During the workshop, students engaged in direct dialogue with City Manager Mike Schumacher and other leaders from around St. Joe. The discussion focused on how to turn student-led ideas into reality, providing the youth a rare opportunity to see the inner workings of local government and advocate for the specific needs of their demographic.
The most significant outcome of the meeting was the formalization of a new youth coalition, dubbed the “Student Voice Alliance,” the group will consist of 15 students from local schools. The group is designed to ensure that the momentum generated during these workshops continues year-round rather than being a one-time event.
Moving forward, the Student Voice Alliance will meet monthly at City Hall. These regular sessions will allow the student representatives to work closely with city officials to address their ideas, ensuring that the younger generation has a permanent and influential seat at the table in St. Joseph’s civic planning.
Schumacher says communicating with young people is key to addressing the topics. “Students will lead this discussion. We need to be prepared to listen in order to work on what they want to see. We need to learn from them.”
Schumacher adds that he’s encouraged by the students’ interest in the city. “They are well informed and they know what’s going on. And they would really like to see movement in certain areas in St. Joe.”
Students short-listed a variety of topics, some of which include addressing homelessness, community cleanliness, and the downtown area.
The next meeting of the Student Voice Alliance is slated for Feb. 11.
