The Mayors Council of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Municipal League invite eighth graders from home, public, and private schools throughout Oklahoma to participate in a statewide essay contest, “If I Were Mayor, I Would …” to tell others what they would do as Mayor to make their city or town a better place to live.

“Oklahoma municipalities want to promote effective municipal government, and this essay contest provides students the opportunity to reflect on the role of the key elected official in their community,” said Craig Parham, Mayor of Amber and President of the MCO Board of Directors. “We want students to learn the importance of city government now so they will become informed, educated citizens and even one day think about running for Mayor.”

The contest gives students a chance to creatively use cognitive and grade-specific language arts skills and civics/social studies language.

“We hope that our annual essay contest will encourage students to look at municipal government and become more involved with their own communities,” said Mike Fina, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Municipal League. “Municipal government has a direct impact on the day to day lives of citizens, and we hope that by learning about their community, the students will find a way that they can make a difference.”

Entries will be judged based upon originality and appropriateness to the theme: What the writer would try to accomplish as mayor of their city or town, and what they would do to make it happen. Essays must display an understanding of the role of a Mayor. Grammar, legibility, and spelling will also be considered by the judges.

Three winners will be selected for the following prizes: 1st Place – $250 2nd Place – $150 3rd Place – $100 Winners will be awarded at the Annual Congress of Mayors on Feb. 9, 2024 at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Contest rules

The contest is open to all Oklahoma students enrolled in the eighth grade in home, public, and private schools during the 2023-24 school year.

• Essays must address the subject with the opening line beginning: “If I Were Mayor, I Would …”

• Essays may not exceed 250 words.

• Only one essay may be submitted per student.

• Essays will be judged in the following areas: 1 – Knowledge about municipal government and the role of a Mayor, 2 – Proper grammar, legibility, spelling, and creativity.

• Students must include their first and last names, school and teacher or parent’s name at the top of their essays.

• Essays must be received no later than Jan. 12, 2024.

For more information, visit https://www. oml.org/if-i-were-mayor.