Fourth Graders throughout Maryland Invited to Submit Essays in Maryland Municipal League’s 2013 ‘If I Were Mayor’ Contest

Entries Must Be Received by Friday, March 30; 11 Regional Winners to Be Honored in Annapolis;

Participating Students Asked to Address Contest’s 2013 Time of Their ‘Vision for the Future’

Annapolis, Md. (February 28, 2013)— Fourth graders throughout Maryland are invited to participate in the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML)  annual “If I Were Mayor” essay contest, which challenges fourth graders across the state to share their thoughts on how they would lead their local, municipal government if they had the opportunity to be mayor. Essays must be received by MML no later than March 30.

Since 2001, MML’s “If I were Mayor…” essay contest has challenged students to learn about municipal government through creatively sharing their thoughts on being a mayor.  Each 275-word essay must open with the line: “If I were Mayor, I would….” and answer three questions revolved around the 2013 theme, which is “Vision for the Future.” Any Maryland student enrolled in the fourth grade during the 2012-2013 school year may participate. All entries must be submitted by the student’s teacher. Eleven regional winners will be presented with a $100 cash prize and the Governor’s Citation at a special ceremony in Annapolis on May 21.

 “This contest is a fun, yet important way to help students from all over Maryland learn more about the importance of municipalities and inspire them to become our next generation of local leadership,” said Scott A. Hancock, executive director of the Maryland Municipal League. “This year’s theme is especially exciting, as it will give these young students the chance to share their vision of what they would like to see for the future of their city of town.”

The contest is sponsored by Maryland Municipal League, in partnership with the Maryland Mayors’ Association, Local Government Insurance Trust, and Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund. Essays are 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.  To apply, visit www.mdmunicipal.org/essay.

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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.