Rochester Hills Youth Council Visits Lansing to Learn About Government
(Saachi Dahanukar, March 18, 2026)
The Rochester Hills Government Youth Council took a road trip to Lansing last month to see how government works at the state level. The highlight? Chatting with Mark Tisdel – State Representative and Senator Michael Webber, both former Rochester Hills City Council members. They also got the full experience with a Capitol tour, a lesson on lobbying from Midwest Strategy Group, and a session with the Michigan Municipal League.
Saachi Dahanukar, Sophomore at Rochester Adams, shared a bit about the experience:
The Rochester Hills Government Youth Council visit to Lansing was nothing short of exhilarating and enlightening – a must-do event for high school students.
Our council had the opportunity to talk to Rochester Hills State Sen. Michael Webber and State Rep. Mark Tisdel to gain insight to how local and state governments connect and communicate.
In Youth Council, our members get the chance to see how local government functions and be part of the meetings where decisions are made and discussed. At the visit to the State Capitol, our perspectives were broadened and minds intrigued by the opportunities available to us. Seeing the actual congressional building and the workers in professional attire made our once TV show fantasies come to life.
The building itself was beautifully crafted with every part holding meaning. The painting of Gov. Jennifer Granholm – the first Michigan female governor – looking down on us reminded us that we too have a chance to create change.
“I love my job”, Rep. Tisdel told us with passion in his eyes, speaking about the job he has been in for multiple years, and the hope he instilled in us that we too can be in his position to make a difference.
The second part of our legislative day was a meeting with two workers in the field of lobbying. The lobbyists explained in great detail their job and sparked the interest of many of my friends and myself included. They talked about how their influence can change the outcome of legislation and ultimately the life we so comfortably live in.
As our council sat around the table listening to their presentation, we took the opportunity to ask them questions about their jobs and how our future can align with it. In Youth Council, we are encouraged to ask questions not only about the people we speak to, but about the impact they create. This experience allowed us to get out of our comfort zone and ask questions about a job we were curious about.
We were extremely fortunate to experience government in this manner and thankful for the people who were kind enough to teach us about their professions. With every piece of information and wisdom shared, each of us learned something worthwhile and impactful.
The Rochester Hills City Council established the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council to promote youth involvement in local government through active participation and the mutual exchange of ideas and experience. There are 15 positions on the youth council, which include representatives from each City Council district. Learn more at https://www.rochesterhills.org/government/city_council/rhyouthcouncil.php
