The Virginia Municipal League (VML) is inviting eligible Virginia students in the 7th and 8th grades to participate in its annual “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest.
The contest encourages students to think critically about local government and civic leadership by sharing their ideas on what they would do if they were the mayor of their community. Regional winners from across the Commonwealth will each receive a $150 gift card and a commemorative plaque. One statewide winner will be selected from the regional winners and will receive a $250 gift card and a plaque. The runner-up from the statewide winner’s region will be named that region’s winner.
In addition to prizes, winning essays will be featured in the May issue of VML’s magazine, Virginia Town & City.
Students can view complete contest rules and submit their essays online by visiting: