Mayors Look Back, Kids Look Forward: Inspiring the Mayor for a Day Contest

Ever wonder what your fourth grade self would have done if given the keys to City Hall for a day? Minnesota mayors have been thinking about that too, and their answers are full of imagination, nostalgia, and the same community-minded spirit we see in young people today.

As we celebrate this year’s Mayor for a Day Essay Contest, we asked a few Minnesota mayors to look back at their elementary school selves and share what they would have prioritized, what they loved about their hometowns, and what gives them hope in the next generation of city leaders.

Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson

If the fourth grade you got to be mayor for a day, what would you have prioritized?

The fourth grade me would have prioritized more park amenities and an expanded library. By 4th grade, I had already read through all of the Nancy Drew and Bobbsey Twins books, and had gotten started on the Hardy Boys; I devoured books! Additionally, I loved swimming at the public pool and remember wishing it had more slides! Fourth grade me would have loved a bigger library, more slides at the pool, and just more fun things to do in the park.

What was your favorite thing about the place you grew up in when you were in elementary school?

The library and swimming pool. In the summer, it seemed like we would go to the public pool every single week! It was the place to be as an elementary school kid! I also have vivid memories of being able to check out all sorts of books to read and remember the max I could check out was 15! I think my favorite thing was just enjoying life as a kid.

 What’s one quality you see in young people that gives you hope for the future of your city?

Their enthusiasm and excitement for getting involved. They have such great fun, innovative ideas, and I love visiting with them and talking to them.  I really appreciate their perspective of the world and the enthusiasm, innovation, and perspective that they bring.

Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson

If fourth grade you got to be mayor for a day, what would you have prioritized?

I think fourth grade Courtney, if given the opportunity to be mayor for a day, would have prioritized playgrounds — especially accessible ones — where all children could play. And recycling!

What was your favorite thing about the place you grew up in when you were in elementary school? 

Growing up, my family didn’t have cable TV, and we didn’t have gaming systems in our home. Because of this, my sister and I spent A LOT of time outside playing and riding our bikes. My favorite thing about where I grew up was having the independence to explore new places and hang out with my friends. 

What’s one quality you see in young people that gives you hope for the future of your city? 

One quality I see in young people that gives me home for the future of the City of Carver is their willingness to share feedback. Whenever I visit our elementary school, I’m always struck by how most kids don’t really have a filter. They tell it like it is, ask great questions, and provide honest feedback. It can be humbling, but I truly love it!

Maple Plain Mayor Julie Maas-Kusske

If fourth grade you got to be mayor for a day, what would you have prioritized?

Thinking back to when I was in fourth grade, if I’d had the chance to be mayor for a day, I would have advocated for more gymnasiums. Finding practice time was always a challenge. We often had to practice early in the morning or come back late in the evening, and sometimes we even had to share the gym with another sports team. That made it tough to run drills and nearly impossible to scrimmage.

The other change I would have made as mayor for a day would be to extend lunch and recess. I was a very social child, and those breaks never felt long enough.

What was your favorite thing about the place you grew up in when you were in elementary school?

This is a hard question to answer because I can’t choose just one favorite thing. I loved where I grew up and where I went to school so much that I still live in the same city, and my children attended the same school.

As a kid, I enjoyed being able to bike with my family from our house to the Baker Park bike trail. I also loved spending time at the BMX track, especially on Friday nights during the races.

One of our community’s most beloved traditions is called View Santa. It began when I was six years old and still happens every year on the first Saturday in December. Santa rides through the neighborhoods, led by our local police department, handing out treats to children and collecting food for the local food shelf. There is something truly magical when Santa says, “Merry Christmas” to you by name from his sleigh as he drives past your house.

I also appreciate that our school district campus is on one street. The district is small enough that each student is known by name and has the chance to participate in multiple sports and clubs. Six cities, including Maple Plain, make up the Orono School District, and my whole family is proud Orono alumni.

Aside from my years in college, I have lived in the 55359 zip code since I was five years old. For me, this community has been a wonderful place to grow up and a wonderful place to raise my family. Maple Plain is a small city that makes living, working, and playing feel meaningful and connected.

What’s one quality you see in young people that gives you hope for the future of your city?

When I spend time with young people today, I am encouraged about the future of our city. Their engagement is evident in many ways — whether they are attending city council meetings, completing Eagle Scout projects in our parks, participating in community events, painting murals on city buildings, or volunteering at the local nursing home. I value the opportunity to spend time with them and to hear their thoughtful questions and perspectives. Young people are an invaluable part of our community, and they are the leaders of tomorrow.