Minnesota students receive honors in 2022 Mayor for a Day Essay Contest

(March 21, 2023 – St. Paul, Minn.) Minnesota students from grades fourth, fifth, and sixth recently submitted their ideas for improving city services as part of the League of Minnesota Cities’ 10th annual Mayor for a Day Essay Contest. The League hosts this annual essay competition to raise awareness of city services that are part of our daily lives, and to inspire the next generation of city leaders.

From among over 500 entries, four winners and four honorable mention recipients were chosen for the 2022 competition.

Winners:

  • Hadley Aasness (6th grade) – Medina
  • Avianna Fettig (5th grade) – Edina
  • Kaden Strobel (4th grade) – Glencoe
  • Katherine Veglahn (6th grade) – La Crescent

Honorable Mentions:

  • Ashley Aragon (6th grade) – Elk River
  • Lauren Nilsen (5th grade) – Pierz
  • Maria Ries (4th grade) – Inver Grove Heights
  • Liv Small (6th grade) – La Crescent

Winning essays were published in the March-April issue of Minnesota Cities magazine. In addition to publication, winners received a plaque and a check for $100. Honorable mention students received a certificate and recognition in the magazine.

The mayors of all winning and honorable mention students are notified of the results. This year, several cities from across the state will also be providing local recognition for participating students.

The Mayor for a Day Essay contest poses the question:

“Cities provide a variety of services and programs that make our lives better, including parks & rec, street maintenance, water and sewer, libraries, police, fire, and more! If you were mayor for a day, what would you do to make one of the services that your city provides even better?”

An educational resource, “What Does a Mayor Do?” is included along with entry materials on the League’s website: www.lmc.org/MayorForaDay.