Geneva High School students will get a behind-the-scenes experience on the operations of local government as part of the City’s Student Government Program Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Nearly 30 students will be paired with City staff members at City Hall as well as the Police, Fire and Public Works departments as part of a job shadowing exercise from 8:45 to 11:15 a.m. The teens will participate in daily City functions, observe operations and attend staff meetings. Following lunch, students will conduct a question and answer session with Geneva’s elected officials followed by a mock City Council meeting in the Council Chambers from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.

The City’s Strategic Plan Advisory Committee (SPAC) and Geneva High School have partnered for more than 10 years to create a unique program that promotes civic pride, creates learning opportunities for Geneva teenagers and provides a forum for City officials to interact with students.

“The alliance promotes Geneva’s student involvement in local government, thereby heightening their awareness of community responsibility,” said Assistant City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, who helped organize the event. “Furthermore, we have the opportunity to gain valuable insight regarding community needs from students’ perspective. The community as a whole benefits from this learning experience.”

Mayor Kevin Burns will read a proclamation at tonight’s City Council meeting in support of American Education Week in Geneva. Student and SPAC representative Anna Dispensa will be in attendance representing Geneva High School to provide the audience with information regarding the program.