"If I Were Mayor" Essay Contest – Town of Appomattox and Virginia Municipal League
In Partnership with the Virginia Municipal League’s "If I Were Mayor" Contest:
The Town of Appomattox invites all 7th and 8th grade students to take part in the "If I Were Mayor" essay contest, held in partnership with the Virginia Municipal League (VML) as part of its statewide competition.
Eligibility: All 7th and 8th grade students at Appomattox County Middle School, Home School students and Private School students are eligible to participate in the Town’s “Mayor for a Day” essay contest. However, due to VML’s residency requirements, only students who live within Town limits may submit an essay to VML for the “If I Were Mayor” contest.
Town of Appomattox Winner Selection & Recognition
The Town Council (or a selected committee) will review the essays and choose a local winner to be "Mayor for a Day." The winner will be invited to spend a day with the Mayor, Town Manager, and local government leaders to experience firsthand how local government operates. The winner will also be recognized at a Town Council meeting and receive a special certificate.
VML Winner Selection & Recognition
VML’s Regional winners selected from around the state will receive a $150 gift card and a plaque. One statewide winner, chosen from the regional winners, will receive a $250 gift card and a plaque. The runner-up from the region that receives the statewide award will become that region’s winner. Winning essays will be featured in the May/June issue of VML’s magazine *Virginia Town & City*.
How to Participate
1. **Identify the Problem:** If you were a community leader like a mayor, what’s a problem in your locality you would want to solve? It could be something big that affects the whole community or something small that affects only a few people. If you are having trouble thinking of something, ask an adult (teacher, parent, guardian, relative, friend) for ideas.
2. **Find a Solution:** Ask a community member (teacher, parent, relative, classmate, friend, etc.) about the problem and find out what they think should be done to solve it. Feel free to ask more than one person to gather more answers.
3. **Choose Your Solution:** Does the community member’s solution sound like it would work? Or do you think there is a better way to solve the problem? It’s up to you!
4. **Write Your Essay:** Write a brief (300-500 words) essay in which you:
- Identify the problem.
- Summarize the community member’s idea to solve the problem.
- Propose the best solution. If you agreed with the community member, explain why. If you think your idea will work better, explain why.
Submit Your Essay in Two Ways
1. **VML Submission:** Submit your essay online or by mail to the Virginia Municipal League for a chance to win statewide recognition and prizes. (See VML website for full details.)
📌 VML Essay Contest https://www.vml.org/Opportunities/Essay-Contest
2. **Town of Appomattox Submission:** Submit your essay to the Town of Appomattox to be considered for our local "Mayor for a Day" program.
Deadline
📅 **All essays must be submitted by Monday, March 17, 2025.**
Submit entries on the VML website and to the Town via email at ** mcampbell [at] appomattoxva.gov (mcampbell[at]appomattoxva[dot]gov) ** or in person at Town Hall.
For Questions, Contact:
📧 ** info [at] appomattoxva.gov (info[at]appomattoxva[dot]gov) **
📞 ** (434) 352-8268 **
Rules & Regulations
All essays should be typed. Handwritten essays must be legible to be eligible for review.
Only one essay may be submitted per student.
Entries will be judged based on content and style.
Essays must be submitted by the end of the day on Monday, March 17. Winners will be notified in early April. VML will present the awards to the winners at one of their local council or school board meetings.
VML and the Town of Appomattox retain the right to publish essays along with the names and photos of each winning student.