Fourth Graders Invited to Submit for "If I Were Mayor" Contest

Fourth graders throughout Maryland are invited to take part in the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML) 2016 “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. The annual essay contest challenges fourth graders to share their thoughts on how they would engage with citizens to make their local city or town a better place to live and work if they were mayor. Students must submit their essays to MML no later than March 31.

Since 2001, MML’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest has given fourth graders throughout the state of Maryland with the opportunity to learn about municipal government, by sharing in writing their thoughts on how they would operate if they had the chance to be a mayor. Each 275-word essay must open with the line: “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” and answer three questions that address the 2016 contest theme, “Rising to the Challenge.”

Maryland students enrolled in the fourth grade during the 2015-2016 school year may participate in the contest. Entries must be submitted by the student’s teacher. The 11 regional winners will each be presented with a $100 cash prize at the Maryland State House special reception this spring, in front of their family members, teachers, municipality mayors and other local dignitaries.

“The ‘If I Were Mayor’ contest not only encourages students to think critically and creatively, but it also allows them to learn about the important role of city and town officials, in a fun and engaging way,” said Scott A. Hancock, executive director of the Maryland Municipal League. “These bright students represent our future and we’re especially excited to see them ‘Rise to the Challenge’ in the way they express themselves through their essays”

The contest is sponsored by Maryland Municipal League, in partnership with the Maryland Mayors Association and the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company. Essays will be judged based on: essay relation to contest topic; displayed knowledge about municipal government and the role of a mayor; creativity; and proper use of grammar. For more information, visit: http://www.mdmunicipal.org/index.aspx?nid=168

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About The Maryland Municipal League:

Located at the Phipps Municipal Center in the state capital of Annapolis, The Maryland Municipal League (MML) was founded in 1936 and represents 157 municipal governments and 2 special taxing districts throughout the state of Maryland. A voluntary, non-profit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments, MML works to strengthen and support municipal government through advocacy and the development of effective leadership. Through its membership in the National League of Cities MML offers legislative representation in Washington, urban research programs, and a national municipal government information exchange. MML is the only statewide organization in Maryland composed solely of municipal officials and devoted to the promotion of all branches of municipal administration.