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Winners of the 2025 state essay contest announced
Download a PDF of the press release here >
Richmond: The Virginia Municipal League (VML) announced today the statewide winner and regional winners of the league’s “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest for 7th and 8th graders. As in years past, the students were asked to write a short essay in which they identified an issue in their locality, talked to others about possible solutions, and then presented the solution that they believe will best address the issue.
The 2025 winners are:
- Statewide winner: Jelena Ly of Edward W. Wyatt Middle School in Emporia
- Region 1: John Sawyer of Gate City Christian School in Gate City
- Region 3: Foster Pickett of Lylburn Downing Middle School in Lexington
- Region 4: Adrienne Eagle of Cornerstone Christian Academy in Appomattox
- Region 5: Caroline Le of Harper Park Middle School in Leesburg
- Region 7: Noelle Harris of E.W. Wyatt Middle School in Emporia
- Region 8: Ellie Stevens of Poquoson Middle School in Poquoson
*Note – VML did not receive any entries from regions 2 and 6 this year.
Read the winning essays here >
Of this year’s winners, VML President and Mayor of the Town of Ashland Steve Trivett said: “All did a good job of seeking citizen or public article input and suggested solutions with multiple targets across multiple actions of implementation. I think they will be great mayors one day!”
VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy said: “Virginia is in good hands with these young people waiting in the wings to become tomorrow’s local government leaders. My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the students and their teachers who participated this year!”
Of statewide winner Jelena Ly, Mayor Trivett noted: “She went beyond describing the challenge that required multiple actions, she also took the wise road of tracking and measuring the success of her action items with an eye on all the neighborhoods. She also displayed wisdom using her heart and her head: compassion for meeting emergency needs and the practicality of empowering people to take ownership and personally choosing healthier diets. Congratulations Jelena and to all this year’s winners!”
In addition to a certificate, each regional winner will receive a gift card for $150. The statewide winner will receive a plaque and a gift card for $250. Plans for presentation of the plaques and gift cards are forthcoming.
All winning essays will be featured in the May/June issue of VML’s magazine Virginia Town & City.
About the Essay Contest
The Virginia Municipal League (VML) invites students from VML member municipalities enrolled in the 7th or 8th grade during the 2024-2025 school year to join its “If I were Mayor” essay contest.
Regional winners selected from around the state will each 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 issue of VML’s magazine Virginia Town & City.
*See first item under “Rules & Regulations” below for eligibility requirements.