Palos South Student Wins Seat on Palos Heights City Council for a Day

An essay written by Raine Rispin, an eighth grader at Palos South Middle School in Palos School District 118, earned her a spot as a member of the Palos Heights City Council for one night in October.

Ms. Rispin joined 11 other area students to conduct a mock meeting on October 18 after her essay was selected as one of the winners of the Palos Height’s Woman’s Club Mayor for a Day essay writing contest. She served as an alderperson for Ward 4 during the mock meeting which included some guidance from Palos Heights’ real Mayor Bob Straz.

The Palos Height’s Women’s Club started the essay contest in 1977 as a way to get students interested in serving in local government and public service.

In addition to serving as alderperson, Ms. Rispin received a plaque and certificate for her winning essay that was presented by the mayor. All of the winners were treated to a pizza dinner at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens clubhouse before the meeting.

"Serving on the city council for a day was a super cool and interesting experience,” said Ms. Rispin.

“I'm glad I was given the chance to do it because it gave me insight into what it is like serving in local government as well as educated me on my town's problems and how we can fix them," she said.