“If I Were Mayor…” Contest 2024
2023-24 If I Were Mayor Contest Information
The Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) “If I were Mayor” contest is an annual event the City of Happy Valley embraces as tradition. In this contest, students are invited to share their creative ideas about how they would govern the City of Happy Valley and local winners are submitted to a statewide competition. Contest is open to students from the City of Happy Valley, students enrolled in schools that serve City of Happy Valley residents, and home-schooled students from the City of Happy Valley.
At its core, “If I Were Mayor” gives students the opportunity to take a closer look at their community and share their thoughts about safety, the environment, health, social services, youth programs and anything else they think is vital to the City. Engaging in this activity is a great way to stay connected to learning and spark some creativity. Students interested in taking part must follow the guidelines for the assignment as outlined below:
There are three grade-level contest categories:
- Grades 4 and 5 will compete in a poster contest (posters to be no larger than 22” x 28”).
- Grades 6 through 8 are asked to complete an essay (minimum 500-maximum 1,000 words) via Word, PowerPoint, or online essay format.
- Grades 9 through 12 will be asked for a digital media presentation (MP4 or online video format).
One lucky Happy Valley winner from each age group will receive a $100 cash gift card from the City, recognition from the Mayor and City Council at an upcoming City Council meeting and appear in an issue of Happy Valley News and on social media.
The winning entries from each category will go on to compete at the statewide level for the chance at an additional prize.
Entry form must accompany every contest entry. See the flyer for full contest rules.
Please turn in completed posters to City Hall reception. Please submit essays and digital media by email to Communications & Public Relations Coordinator, Stephanie Warneke at [email protected]. Don’t forget! A completed entry form MUST accompany all submissions to be considered eligible for the contest.
The deadline for submitting your finished product has passed. Please check back in January 2025 for information about next year’s contest.
Pictured left to right: Council President David Emami, Councilor David Golobay, Josephine (Honorable Mention Poster), Oscar (2024 Poster Contest Winner), Allison (Honorable Mention Poster), Mayor Tom Ellis, Councilor Brett Sherman, and Councilor Joshua Callahan
Most Participation! Mrs. Wiebke’s 5th grade students from Scouters Mountain Elementary pose for a group photo with Mayor Tom Ellis. Each student in the class submitted a poster for the 2024 If I Were Mayor contest.