Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II arrived in Munising on Feb. 13 ready to embrace everything the community had to offer — education, conversation and even a bit of adventure.
From the school lunch line to an ice-covered cliff, the towering 6-foot-9 politician moved through town with an energy as infectious as a Yooper’s love for pasties.
First stop
The Munising Middle-High School band greeted Gilchrist with a fanfare that set the tone for a lively visit. Students peppered him with questions, but one moment stood out: Savannah Lassila, a senior who recently enlisted in the U.S. Space Force, caught Gilchrist’s attention in a big way.
“He said I was the first Michigander he’s met who’s enlisted,” Lassila said. “He even asked his team to take a picture with me, saying it was ‘monumental.’” Their conversation was more than just a passing interaction; it was a moment of validation.
“I felt very empowered by our conversation,” she said. “It was exciting to hear that a state official was genuinely interested in my path and where it was going to take me. Even though I’m just a random high school student he met on a visit, he made me feel like my journey mattered.”
That feeling spread through the school as students and staff found Gilchrist approachable, kind and genuinely interested in their experiences. He took the time to introduce himself, listen and engage, never seeming rushed or distracted.
His visit left a lasting impression, showing that even in a small Upper Peninsula town, students’ voices and aspirations mattered. For many, it was a rare chance to connect with a state leader who treated them as equals, not just spectators.
Then, in a move few politicians attempt, Gilchrist donned a hairnet and gloves to serve up some school lunch. He joked with students while dishing out meals, cracking up senior Carson Kienitz.
“He’s obviously really tall, but when he stood next to me, he said, ‘Finally, some normal-sized people!’” said Kienitz, who, at 6-foot-5, actually looked the lieu- tenant governor in the eye.
“Having the lieutenant governor visit our school showed our students that what they are doing matters, even though we’re a rural town in the Upper Peninsula,” Principal Nicole Lasak said. “He took the time to talk and listen. It was a meaningful experience.”
Elementary school tour
From high schoolers to little ones, Gilchrist made his way to William G. Mather Elementary School, where he was greeted by Principal Shannon DeFrancesco and a group of students eager to meet him. Among them were the school’s Quarter 2 STANG award recipients — students recognized for their commitment to safety, kindness and respect.
These students were selected by their teachers as role models who consistently exemplify these core values in their daily interactions and academic efforts.
“Our students marveled at his height and were eager to engage with him,” DeFrancesco said. “His genuine interest in our school reinforced the importance of investing in education and supporting the future of our students.”
The visit wasn’t just about greetings and handshakes. Gilchrist took a full tour of the school, discussing both its strengths and challenges with DeFrancesco and Munising Public Schools Superintendent Mike Travis.
In a closed-door meeting, Travis and DeFrancesco also spoke candidly with Gilchrist about broader challenges facing the district. They addressed declining enrollment, the impact of shifting to a tourism-driven economy and the strain caused by a tax base heavily reliant on public lands rather than private property.
Travis noted the district’s past struggles in passing funding measures, including a failed consolidation bond and multiple sinking fund proposals that never made it through. They also discussed a major grant application that could help alleviate some of these issues, with hopes that Gilchrist could lend his support in moving it forward.
Through it all, Gilchrist listened attentively, offering insight and encouragement while acknowledging the unique struggles of rural schools. His presence and engagement weren’t just symbolic — they showed a willingness to understand the real challenges on the ground. For the students, it was an exciting visit from a high-ranking official. For the school’s leadership, it was a much-needed opportunity to address their needs and push for meaningful change.
Scaling new heights
After a morning of civic engagement, Gilchrist shifted gears — literally — by stopping at Michigan Ice Fest headquarters at Alger Parks and Recreation Department to check out climbing gear and lace up his boots.
Geared up and ready, he headed to the Curtains ice formation, a popular spot for beginners looking to get a feel for the sport. With its approachable routes and stunning backdrop, it was the perfect place for his first-ever attempt at ice climbing.
“Taking the lieutenant governor out was a really cool experience,” said Charlie O’Connell, one of the festival’s climbing instructors. “He and his whole team were extremely nice and engaged. They were eager to learn, asking questions. He took to it very well — we did a mini lesson on how to swing the ice tool properly and the right foot placements for balance and grip. Then he began climbing and made it to the top of his climb.”
The exhilaration of the climb wasn’t lost on Gilchrist, who laughed in joy as he descended after a brief slip. He was more than happy to pose for photos with O’Connell and fellow community members, capturing the moment alongside climbers who welcomed him into their world.
“The standout moment was seeing the excitement when he came down after completing his first climb and hearing the encouragement his team had,” she said.
From ice walls to policy issues In just a few hours, Munising got a front-row seat to what happens when a state official engages with the community — not just with words, but with actions (and, in this case, crampons).
Whether serving up tater tots, chatting with students about their future ambitions or scaling frozen waterfalls, Gilchrist approached every stop with curiosity, humor and an eagerness to connect.
His visit wasn’t just about appearances; it was about listening. In discussions with school officials and community members, he acknowledged the challenges Munising faces, from housing shortages to food insecurity and the strain of a booming tourism economy.
“When I’m thinking about affordable housing in Michigan, this is exactly the place we’re thinking about, where we have residents who’ve been here for a long time, and we want to stay here,” Gilchrist said. “We want their children to have a future here in Alger County and Munising, looking to be able to afford and have different choices for how they’ve been living.”
He also addressed rising grocery costs and food insecurity, recognizing the burden on families. “Well, we want to make sure that there are healthy choices available in a broad way,” he said. “I know that’s expensive. Eggs are expensive, milk is expensive — we know that. And so we want to make sure people have money in their pockets to be able to afford this stuff.”
To help ease financial pressures, he pointed to tax relief measures. “By expanding the Working Families Tax Credit like we did a couple of budgets ago, we’re going to continue that,” he said. “It’s putting thousands of dollars back in people’s bank accounts when they file their taxes. By repealing the retirement tax, that’s putting thousands of dollars back in pockets.”
Gilchrist also acknowledged that many parents worry about their children leaving for better opportunities elsewhere.
“I meet so many parents who are worried about their children — about them getting educated and then leaving,” he said. “We need to offer them opportunities here.”
