If I Were Mayor Essay Contest

Tuesday, February 20, 2024


Our fu​ture mayors of our cities are in classrooms today. The education they receive helps them to become good citizens – and good mayors. In August each year, the Iowa League of Cities launches the “If I Were Mayor…” essay contest for 7th graders. The contest is promoted to 7th grade English and Social Studies teachers. A winning essay will be selected in each of the state’s congressional districts. District winners will receive a $250 college scholarship, while one grand prize winner will be selected to represent the entire state and receive a total of $500 to use towards college.​​​ 

Promoting good city government is important to the Iowa League of Cities, and this essay contest provides students the opportunity to reflect on the role of the key elected official in their own city. This contest is sponsored by Snyder & Associates​

If I Were Mayor Essay Contest Winners

Congratulations to all of our award winners.

2024-2025RecipientSchool
2024-2025Kate MillerFairfield Community School District
2024-2025Jasmine ElgersmaCedar Falls Community School District
2024-2025Kate HanWaukee Community School District
2024-2025Brynley JustesenUnderwood Community School District
2023-2024RecipientSchool
2023-2024Amelia EapenIowa City Community School District
2023-2024Bristol MillerCedar Falls Community School District
2023-2024Abi HemesathWest Des Moines Community School District
2023-2024Mirabel AbrahamCarroll Community School District
2022-2023RecipientSchool
2022-2023Aden LiebMaharishi School
2022-2023Brianna Gage Alburnett School
2022-2023Mara Elliott West Des Moines School
2022-2023Kaylee Meyers Underwood Community School
2021-2022RecipientSchool
2021-2022Angely VasquezCedar Valley Catholic School
2021-2022Maylen ZauggMediapolis Community School
2021-2022Lacey WeedaMount Ayr School
2021-2022Sean WuGilbert Middle School
2020-2021RecipientSchool
2020-2021Addison WintersLansing Middle School
2020-2021Finn O’TooleNorth Central Junior High
2020-2021Peyton BeeckHinton Middle School
2020-2021Ryan MeyerInterstate 35 Middle School
2019-2020RecipientSchool
2019-2020Avery WhiteHinton Middle School
2019-2020Clara WaldronVan Meter School
2019-2020Kevin AshbacherLansing Middle School
2019-2020Rowan SchererMaharishi School
2018-2019RecipientSchool
2018-2019 Adin HuetWest Central Valley
2018-2019Alyssa FerdigWaco High School
2018-2019Ella StrandOelwein Middle School
2018-2019Larae SteinerMediapolis Middle School
2018-2019Megan DunlapEmmetsburg Catholic School
2017-2018RecipientSchool
2017-2018Brianna HargraveMarshalltown Christian School
2017-2018Gabriella DeeryNotre Dame Middle School (Burlington)
2017-2018Taylor BuckleyBondurant-Farrar Middle School
2017-2018Zach SypersmaHinton Community School
2016-2017RecipientSchool
2016-2017Anna HoffmanMount Vernon Middle School
2016-2017Ellen McDonoughSt. Augustin School
2016-2017Emily SmallHinton Community School
2016-2017Thaddeus ShetlerMid-Prairie Middle School
2015-2016RecipientSchool
2015-2016Emma MartinTripoli Community Schools
2015-2016Holly DierenfieldStorm Lake Middle School
2015-2016Kayden J. RezacTipton Middle School
2015-2016Rylee KrantzWest Central Valley Middle School (Stuart)
2014-2015RecipientSchool
2014-2015Autumn GadouaNishnabotna Middle School (Hamburg)
2014-2015Kira ParkisSt. Lawrence Center (Carroll)
2014-2015Kyleigh GrahamMid-Prairie Middle School (Student from Wellman)
2014-2015Olivia FransenEleanor Roosevelt Middle School (Dubuque)
IOWA League