Students encouraged to enter “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest

The Town of Leesburg invites local 7th and 8th grade students to enter the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.

Students are asked to identify a problem within their community, gather feedback from community members, and offer a proposed solution, which must be presented in a typed essay between 300 and 500 words.

Students must live in the Town of Leesburg, which is considered a VML member locality. All entries must be received by end of day on Monday, March 18. Visit https://www.vml.org/Opportunities/Essay-Contest for full details.

Regional winners selected from around the state will each receive a $150 gift card and a plaque. One statewide winner chosen from the regional winners will receive a $250 gift card and a plaque. The runner-up from the region that receives the statewide award will become that region’s winner.

“This is a great opportunity for our local 7th and 8th grade students to imagine themselves as mayor, identify an issue, and problem solve for their community,” said Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk. “I can’t wait to read the great ideas that will come from the essays. If there is a really good idea maybe we can work together.”  

Winning essays will be featured in the May issue of VML’s magazine Virginia Town & City.