‘If I Were Mayor’ contest winners are honored for their ideas on helping Ashlanders
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
Mayor Tonya Graham said it would be her “favorite agenda item of the evening” to honor the winner’s of this year’s “If I Were Mayor” contest during the Tuesday City Council business meeting.
Contest participants submitted essays or posters explaining what they would do if they were the mayor of Ashland.
Graham invited the winners to take their turn sitting in the mayor’s chair and, if they wished, to speak and rap the gavel. But first, she said that after reviewing contest submissions it was clear that Ashland’s young people are “smart, thoughtful and love this community.”
“If we do our jobs as adults now and hand these young people a functioning democracy, they will take care of it,” she said.
Winning eighth-grader Fenna Clark approached the chair and spoke briefly before politely tapping the gavel.
“I’m really happy to be part of this community and contribute to it,” she said.
Sixth-grader Harper Miller said she and Graham “had a great conversation at ReMix about what we love about Ashland.” It’s important, she said, for leaders to show up for youth and ensure they have parks as places to play and grow.
“I feel really hopeful,” she said.
Seventh-grader Nora Eaton whacked the gavel and left the chair without speaking.
Middle schooler Peri Elder said in her essay that she referenced the importance of having strong community as Ashland does. She said she was glad to have this experience and get to be “around such cool people.”
“I haven’t been to one of these things before, and it’s really cool to know what’s going on right now,” she said. She tapped the gavel a couple of times for good measure.
The elementary school winner Nadia McGrady did not speak but gave the gavel two little taps. Then she shook the hands of all members of Ashland City Council with her fellow contest winners.
The winning essays and posters from the contest are posted here on the city website. Mayor Graham said that, for her, they will provide “future inspiration.” The elementary, middle school and high school winners will advance to a state contest, Graham said.
Last year’s winners of the contest were reported by Ashland.news and are also listed on the city website.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].
