Tea Area students visit state Capitol, meet lieutenant governor

Thirty‑eight student council representatives from Tea Area School District 41‑5 traveled to the state capitol on Feb. 18 for a student leadership visit that included a rotunda meeting with Lieutenant Governor Ben Husen and sessions with legislative pages and local lawmakers.

Mrs. Donia, who presented the report to the board, said students "represented themselves well" during a Q&A on the rotunda steps and met both house and senate pages and a speaker who described internship pathways. She said the visit let younger students learn about possible page and internship roles and gave high schoolers practical information about public service and civic engagement.

The group toured the building, viewed artwork and historical displays, and had time to explore the rotunda and inaugural displays. The students ate a working lunch with legislators from the district’s local seats (districts 6 and 9), who emphasized communication skills and how to engage respectfully across disagreement, Mrs. Donia reported.

Administrators thanked Dr. Walder and district staff for organizing the trip and praised the experience as a hands‑on civic opportunity that helps students consider leadership roles in school and community life. The board acknowledged the event and expressed hope for similar opportunities in future years.

The district noted the trip was supported by school staff, a nurse and district transportation and that organizers plan to pursue comparable experiences next year.