Mural contest challenge announced

After gathering more than double the number of needed signatures, the Washington community has moved on to the last phase of the #IowansUnite Community Contest, in a bid to win a free mural. The city is one of 13 that progressed to the final round.

The next phase is a challenge, announced July 6. The task: a one-page essay submitted to judges by July 12. The prompt: “Explaining what hometown pride means to your community and how your community supports small businesses.”

Essays will be scored by their “creativity, passion and authenticity,” according to an email from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which is sponsoring the contest.

“The assignment we’ve been given is to focus on hometown pride, what that means to your community, and how our community supports small business,” said Washington city clerk Sally Hart, who volunteered to write the essay. “That’s what we’re looking to focus on, and really get a chance to … tell our story.”

The required brevity is a hefty — but not insurmountable — restriction, according to Hart.

“Simple doesn’t have to be boring,” she said. “We want to make it so it doesn’t seem like a Hallmark card, but you only get a page.”

Isabella Santoro, another prominent community member, has also volunteered to write an essay. While the community can only submit one, she represents another option to choose from.

“What I was thinking originally was kind of a list thing … all the things I like about Washington,” she said. “We could describe your ideal day being in Washington.”

Washington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said a vivid portrayal of the city would be key, based on the consensus of state tourism experts.

“Iowa has no image,” she said. “We don’t have a negative image, or a positive image, we’re just unknown. So on the flip side of that, we can talk about how known we are, here in Washington.”

Redlinger said the organization was soliciting input from residents about what hometown pride means in Washington means to them. Those interested can send their thoughts to chamber@washingtoniowa.org.

“We have the ability to really let the state know how amazing Washington is,” she said. “If community members would help us out by submitting their ideas and their thoughts, then we can do the best that we can to showcase the community as a whole.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com