2025 'If I Were Mayor' Contest Winners
This is an annual contest sponsored by the Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) where students in grades 4-12 from all over Oregon share their creative and inspirational ideas of what their city would look like if they were mayor.
Lake Oswego received over 40 creative and interesting entries. While not every entry could be selected as a winner, each was informative and helpful in understanding what is important to those who participated and their peers.
After considering all entries, first, second and third place winners were selected in the following categories:
Posters – Grades 4 and 5
Essays – Grades 6 through 8
This year, we also included Honorable Mentions in each of those categories.
Poster Category
Finley’s clear and concise poster earned Honorable Mention in the Poster (grades 4-5) category.
Finley’s poster focuses on pedestrian safety at intersections and, specifically the need for inspections of Accessible Pedestrian Systems (APS) to make sure they meet Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). In addition to including a detailed illustration, Finley used personal experience to back up her proposal. Our committee was impressed with Finley’s knowledge of the APS and PROWAG.
Tesla’s artistic representation won 3rd place in the Poster category.
Using a combination of printed art, drawings, and text, Tesla acknowledged that a mayor is someone who can make positive changes to their local city. She also shared a few things she would do if she was mayor. This includes:
- Asking residents what they would add or change in the city, then, after considering their thoughtful suggestions, she would make changes accordingly
- Invest in the best technology to ensure that first responders can get to emergencies in time
Lauren took 2nd place in the Poster (grades 4-5) category.
With use of illustrations and clear written communication, Lauren shared goals she would pursue if she was mayor. These include:
- Giving kids more civic engagement opportunities, such as a Kids’ Town Hall
- Encourage businesses to create quiet shopping hours for the neurodivergent, to help reduce sensory overload. The committee appreciates the sign posted on the business doors indicating “Sensory Friendly Hours”
Each goal provided information on why it was important and gave ideas to help implement.
Cara’s artistic and detailed poster won 1st place in the Poster (grades 4-5) category.
Cara’s well-organized and thoughtful poster illustrated that she would:
- Encourage sustainability and climate action practices through a variety of programs, such as Bike Day, Reduction of Disposable Items and Community Gardening.
- Promote “Kid Involvement” in politics by lowering the voting age and forming an all-age political committee.
- Deliver services and accessibility to those under-served in our community. This includes establishing Inclusive Playgrounds, Skill-Building Programs, and Food Drives.
Cara not only outlined her goals, but also detailed their implementation and positive outcomes.
As a 1st place winner, Cara was also entered in the Oregon Mayors Association's statewide contest for a chance to win up to $500.
Essay Category
Everest Gao - Honorable Mention
Everest’s essay left us a lot to ponder. In her first paragraph, she stated that as mayor, “I would work towards: sufficient wellness in our community, because the tiny ameliorations we make each day count for a community more worthy than a perfect world.”
In Everest’s closing paragraph she states, “The truth is, us homo sapiens are easily influenced by our living environment so a slight mishap can put future generations into turmoil. It is up to those in power – like the mayor – to not only plant the seeds that determine our future, but also harvest the crops that are healthy and consumable. The crops are in a continuum of growth, but leaving them alone for too long is to leave them rotting in perpetual pain until death.”
Everest’s future holds significant potential for philosophical exploration.
With clear organization and compelling writing, Alex’s opening and closing paragraphs definitely summarized his focus as mayor.
Alex would create a safer, more sustainable, and more inclusive city by enhancing public spaces. This would include building bike/walk accessible paths to connect neighborhoods to the schools, parks, and downtown. He would also establish community gardens in vacant lots and greenspaces so people can grow their own food. Alex emphasizes that public spaces are vital to community health.
In addition, Alex’s addresses homelessness and takes this important topic a step deeper by offering resources to lead to a stable life. Alex also recognizes that the City is doing vital work for clean energy and wants to continue down that path.
Lena’s approach was a bit different, and just as important as other entries. As mayor, Lena would focus on the social, emotional, and wellbeing of the residents of Lake Oswego. She acknowledges that loneliness is a public health epidemic and would take the responsibility to try and help Lake Oswego residents of all ages, starting from students to seniors. One of her goals include improving “Field Trips” for the elderly so that they could see the world outside of the retirement home. In addition, she would encourage to have pets in retirement homes – including guinea pigs to give residents a sense of purpose.
During her free time, Lena would have a bakery, which would provide yummy pastries, cookies, or cakes. This bakery would allow more job opportunities for those who need employment. Lena also recognizes the importance of a mayor engaging with residents – she would be out in the community engaging with kids, seniors and people of all ages. She realizes that as mayor, she is no better than anyone person and would make it a priority to recognize individuals.
As a 1st place winner, Sophia was also entered in the Oregon Mayors Association's statewide contest for a chance to win up to $500.
Sophia’s well-crafted and organized essay was notably distinct within its category for a number of reasons. In addition to articulating her desire to address key concerns across the City, Sophia:
- Demonstrates clear and insightful overview of city services and the Mayor’s role, highlighting the Mayor’s essential skill of active listening.
- Exhibits how her solutions generate tangible benefits. For example, creating a more walkable and bike-friendly city will improve community health and safety and lower carbon emissions.
- Links issues to the relevant City department for action.
- Proposes both grant funding and corporate sponsorships, demonstrating her understanding of project funding needs.
- Expresses the significance of ensuring that garden plots are equitably located and accessible to all community members, and recognizes the social and health benefits of community gardens.
To everyone who submitted an entry, we appreciate the time you spent presenting your ideas and enjoyed learning your unique perspective. We hope you stay involved as you grow older and consider participating as a Youth Advisor to the City in the future.
2025 OMA Statewide Contest-If I Were Mayor
A BIG congratulations to Sophia Han for placing 2nd in the statewide essay contest! AND, another BIG congratulations to Cara Miles for placing 1st in the statewide poster contest. Cara will be recognized at OMA's Summer Conference this August.
