MML Launches ‘If I Were Mayor’ Contest
It’s that time of year when Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton visits fourth-grade classes to talk about the role of mayor and local government, and encourages students to enter the annual “If I Were Mayor” essay contest held by the Maryland Municipal League.
This year’s theme is “Teamwork Through Flexibility, Respect, Leadership, Civility.” Students are asked to write an essay that shares a problem in their city or community and describes how, as mayor, they would bring people together virtually to collaborate and find solutions. One winning essay will be selected from each of MML’s 11 regional districts throughout Maryland.
Winners receive $100 cash, a citation from Gov. Larry Hogan and will be recognized during an awards ceremony later in spring. Essays must be received online by noon Tuesday, March 30.
The mayor welcomes the opportunity to speak with students about the essay contest, municipal government and what it is like to be mayor of Rockville.
Teachers or school administrators may email jmobley@rockvillemd.gov to arrange for the mayor to visit their class virtually or in person if schools are back in session, however a visit by the mayor is not required for students to participate. The Mayor and Council consider the contest to be a wonderful exercise in government studies and encourage fourth graders attending schools in Rockville to participate.
The contest is organized by the Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Mayors Association, and will be digital this year due to the pandemic.
For more information, including guidelines and forms for submitting entries online, visit www.mdmunicipal.org/168/Mayors-Essay-Contest.