Whiz Kid: Cranbrook Student Among Final Graduates of Congressional Page School

Each week, Bloomfield Patch features students doing amazing things in schools and their communities. This week's Whiz Kid spent the past five months in Washington, DC, as part of the historic U.S. House of Representative's Page Program. Members of Congress recently voted to end the program after nearly 200 years, citing the $5 million price tag and advancements in electronic communication.

Daniel Ackerman

Age: 17

School: Cranbrook (Class of 2012)

Accomplishment: This Bloomfield Hills resident was among 64 high school students from around the country — and just three from Michigan — to be nominated by and serve a member of Congress on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives last semester. He worked for U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia), who is now on the campaign trail seeking the Republican Party presidential nomination.

Ackerman's typical day started with academic classes at 6:45 a.m., and then he reported for work at 10 a.m. five days a week. It wasn't uncommon for sessions to last well into the next morning, particularly during the current partisan climate on Capitol Hill. 

"Watching congressman on the floor voting at 4 a.m. was kind of incredible, but if that's when they worked until, that's where I was," he said.

Ackerman said his primary job was running messages and documents to other congressional staffers and delivering official copies of congressional statements to the Library of Congress.

"That was my favorite task because you're sitting a few rows back from the debate, and you hear every word that happens and the side conversations that happen between members. It was pretty enlightening," he said.

Key to awesomeness: Ackerman said he's saddened by the decision to cut the program and believes those costs will now just be passed on to other departments that will have to adapt without pages and the work they do.

However, he said he's grateful for the experience and knows it has inspired him to become more politically active.

"I think it's important to be involved politically and to learn as much as I can to help ensure a better future," he said.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Bloomfield Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Art.Aisner@patch.com. Please include all these details:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• What makes the nominee successful