2021 “If I Were Mayor” Essay Winners Announced
Oklahoma City, OK - The 2021 winners of the annual “If I Were Mayor” essay contest were recently announced in conjunction with the Mayors’ Council of Oklahoma (MCO) and the Oklahoma Municipal League’s (OML).
The purpose of the essay contest is to provide an opportunity for 8th grade students from across Oklahoma to begin engagement with their communities. The MCO asks that the mayors in each community reach out to their 8th-grade students to discuss what the functions are of a mayor so that they can begin to understand how a community is led and to understand the vital role that mayors play.
This year’s winners are as follows:
1st Place: Jasper McClendon, Locust Grove Public Schools, Kim Yates, teacher, Jason Williams, Mayor
2nd Place: Katie Mayes, Locust Grove Public Schools, Kim Yates, teacher, Jason Williams, Mayor
3rd Place: Julie Castillo, Skiatook Newman Middle School, Angie Postier, teacher, David Sutherland, Mayor
In his winning essay, Jasper McClendon focused primarily on his desire to work with the city council to find a way to provide free internet to downtown Locust Grove and citizens living within a 10-block radius of the downtown area. First, McClendon said, he would form a committee to work with area businesses and organizations, sch as Google, Mid-American Industrial Park, and the Cherokee Nation to gather information and apply for grants.
Second place winner, Katie Mayes, stated in her essay that her focus, if mayor, would be to put her citizens first, be transparent and work with the city council to spend city funds wisely. She would also like to provide safer sidewalks and roads as well as have adequate police and fire protection for all citizens. Finally, she also wants to promote tourism in her area.
Julie Castillo, third place winner, stated that a goal for her community, if mayor, would be to collaborate with the city council to ensure the well-being of the people of Skiatook and work to advance the community. One of her first proposals as mayor would be the installation of a recycling center. In addition, Julie wants to designate safe places for victims fleeing from dangerous situations.
The Oklahoma Municipal League is the authoritative source for information, training and resources on effective local government for member organizations and is recognized as THE respected voice of Oklahoma municipalities in the State.
The Mayors' Council of Oklahoma was formed in 1991 as a bipartisan organization to represent the concerns and views of the body of the state’s Mayors. MCO provides a vehicle for the development and implementation of programs of multi-jurisdictional cooperation between cities and towns designed to lessen the burden on local government. Oklahoma Mayors make the commitment to work through the conference to improve their own communities as well as the conditions facing cities and towns throughout the state and nation.