St. Joseph introduces new youth-led council at ‘Student in Government Day’

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The City of St. Joseph hosted its second Student in Government Day at emPowerU, after a successful first session in late 2025.

During the first session, students from schools across the city identified areas they would like to see improved in St. Joseph.

Ideas raised during the previous session were compiled into a list and discussed during a second session on Wednesday.

Students spoke with City Manager Mike Schumacher and other city leaders about moving forward with their proposed city improvement ideas. During this session, the city discussed creating a youth-led council.

The group will consist of 15 students from different schools working closely with the city. The group will be called the "Student Voice Alliance" and will meet monthly at City Hall to address proposed ideas.

Schumacher said there will be a dynamic shift in city government with the youth-led council.

"That group is going to really guide those conversations, so I'm the wrong person to tell a group of 15, 16 or 17-year-olds on how they need to be communicated with. We want to learn from them and figure out what does this looks like," he said. "What works for you guys, because what you heard throughout the day so many times, it's communication, there's a gap there, and we need to fill it. We need to work together on how we need to fill it, and we need to be prepared to listen. Hear what they want to see and work with them on how those things can be accomplished."

Schumacher said he wants the youth-led group to be a learning experience for the students.

"Part of that would be what does the mayor do, what does the city council do, what does the county commissioner do and kind of the structure of the meeting," he said. "That first meeting will be kind of housekeeping and laying out the path forward."

Schumacher said it's been a humbling experience to hear the youth's opinions.

"They are well informed, and they know what's going on. They really would like to see movement in certain areas in St. Joe. These young men and women are our future, so we are going to start listening to them now," Schumacher said.

Student Voice Alliance group members will be appointed and will have their first meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11.