It’s not every day people get a chance to witness the wheels of power in motion. However, The City of Gaithersburg offers that opportunity to an aspiring fourth grader. He or she will have the chance to become a Junior Mayor for a year by writing an essay.
The goal of the Junior Mayor program is to give youngsters a chance to learn how local government works. Students often will share their own ideas on how to make the city better and improve services.
Gaithersburg’s event mirrors the statewide ‘If I Were Mayor…’ essay contest. The Maryland Municipal League, the Maryland Mayors Association, and the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company sponsor the annual competition.
While this is a statewide contest, Gaithersburg also will choose its own winner based on the students who apply from the community. Organizers say applicants for the city’s Junior Mayor must live in Gaithersburg for a chance to compete. The application deadline is Friday, March 28.
Picking a Winner
This year, students must complete an essay of 275 words or less. This year’s theme is ‘Building Community for a New Generation’. Organizers hope applicants will address some of the following questions in their essays:
- What’s great about your community?
- What could be improved?
- If you were Mayor, how would you strengthen your community for the future? How would you ensure everyone feels included?
Members of the City’s Educational Enrichment Committee and City staff will review the essays and invite the top five candidates for an interview with a panel of judges. Finalists also will need to plan a community service project that the Junior Mayor and their classmates will host. The city will announce the winner later this spring.
Junior Mayor Benefits
The new Junior Mayor will appear at a City Council meeting and share the winning essay. The Junior Mayor also will have a chance to participate in a host of city events during the year. They include the city’s Book Festival, Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day observances, the Labor Day parade and many other activities.
Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman said the Junior Mayor program provides a great opportunity and a wonderful learning experience for young people.
“Students will learn about municipal government. As Junior Mayor, the winner gets a first look at how to be a public servant. He or she will learn more about their hometown, Gaithersburg, and how local government works. I encourage students to apply because it’s a wonderful experience with lots of cool opportunities and lots of fun,” Ashman said.
The mayor said he hopes the younger generation will consider a career in public service.
“I encourage people with a heart for others to explore public service as a career because it touches all aspects of life from housing to transportation to medical needs and food supplies. It’s a career that allows you to serve people in unique ways. Public service is about helping people and making the community better. It’s one of the most rewarding careers to help people live their best lives,” Ashman explained.
2024 Junior Mayor Winner
Fourth grader, Abdel Espinoza Laguna, currently serves as Junior Mayor. He won the contest last year. Abdel is a student at Washington Grove Elementary School. He began his one-year term last May. In his winning essay, he talked about the importance of leadership.
“Leaders enforce rules to keep everyone safe. Leaders also use their skills to impact our community. I show my leadership skills at school. In class, I share ideas of how we can make our work better,” Abdel wrote.
More Information
Students interested in applying for the Junior Mayor position can contact Patrice Payne at patrice.payne@gaithersburgmd.gov or call 240-805-1171.
