Philomath students in grades 4 through 12 have an opportunity to voice their opinions on what they would like to see in the city with this year’s edition of the If I Were Mayor contest. Beyond the sharing of ideas, they could also win prizes.
Organized at the statewide level by the Oregon Mayors Association, the contests are split into three age categories — a poster contest for grades 4-5, an essay contest for grades 6-8 and a digital media presentation contest for grades 9-12.
“I love this — I wish that we were more engaged in this when I was in school and I would have died for this as my former teachers know,” Philomath Mayor Christopher McMorran said during the Feb. 10 City Council meeting. “I’ve been really impressed in the past with some of the ideas we’ve gotten from the students.”
The deadline for entries has been set for noon on April 4.
McMorran with the help of city councilors Diane Crocker and Rich Saalsaa will determine the local winners, who will receive recognition at a special event. Councilors approved an allocation of $300 to spend on a celebration and prizes.
The local winners would then be eligible for the statewide contest. And those winners would be invited to the Oregon Mayors Association’s summer conference luncheon for recognition and a presentation of cash prizes.
The $300 will come out of the City Council’s community support account. A motion to approve passed on a unanimous vote.
