Recognition of Riley Lightfoot, 4th grade student at St. Elizabeth's School, as the winner of the 2010 Rockville "If I Were Mayor" essay contest, and presentation of certificates to students from Rockville elementary schools who received Honorable Mentio

Mayor and Council

For the meeting on:	June 14, 2010
Department:	City Clerk
Responsible staff:	Brenda Bean, Deputy City Clerk phone: (240) 314 - 8281 bbean@rockvillemd.gov

Subject
Recognition of Riley Lightfoot, 4th grade student at St. Elizabeth's School, as the winner of the 2010 Rockville "If I Were Mayor" essay contest, and presentation of certificates to students from Rockville elementary schools who received Honorable Mention awards.

Recommendation
Present certificates to the winner and the nine honorable mentions. After the presentation, Riley Lightfoot will read her essay.

Discussion
The Maryland Municipal League (MML) and the Maryland Mayors’ Association (MMA) invited all fourth grade students to participate in a statewide essay contest entitled, “If I Were Mayor.” This year, students were asked to include ideas on how to use volunteers in your community. The contest gives students a chance to creatively use grade-specific language arts skills and civics/social studies knowledge.

To promote the contest, Mayor Marcuccio sent a letter to all public and private elementary schools in Rockville encouraging the participation of all fourth grade classes. The letter was followed up by personal visits from the Mayor to each class. The Rockville essay winner was chosen by the MML and the MMA as the overall winner for District 15 which automatically qualified Riley to be Rockville's Mayor for the Day.

On May 25th, 2010, Riley Lightfoot reported for duty. As Mayor for the day, she went on guided tours of City Hall, the Gude Drive Maintenance Facility — where a street sign with her name was made - and the Croydon Creek Nature Center. Riley also went on a police ride-along, had with lunch with Mayor Marcuccio at Slice of Rockville, and participated in the City's Memorial Day Parade.

In addition to recognizing Riley Lightfoot as the Rockville winner of the MML contest, Mayor Marcuccio selected nine essays from the other participating schools that will be recognized with an “honorable mention,” as follows:

Student School

Reyna Bergman Lakewood E.S.

Shayna Berman Home Schooled

Mariana Bonet St. Elizabeth’s School

Raquel Burnham College Gardens E.S.

Hannah Hwang Christ Episcopal School

Emily May St. Raphael’s School

Niswana Risal Meadow Hall E.S.

Miriam S. Samual Shah Maryvale E.S.

Chase Vallese St. Mary’s School

Mayor and Council History
This is the seventh consecutive year the 'If I Were Mayor' contest winners will be recognized by the Mayor and Council.

Attachments