WACO’S Ferdig to meet Reynolds after winning ‘If I Were Mayor’ Essay Contest

WAYLAND - WACO seventh-grader Alyssa Ferdig thought if anyone was going to meet the governor this week, it would be one of her friends. Yet she and four other middle-schoolers from across the state will be congratulated by Gov. Reynolds for winning the 'If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest.

Held at the State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m., the ceremony will see the five winners each awarded with a plaque and a small scholarship.

The 'If I were Mayor” Essay Contest was first organized in 2010 by the Iowa League of Cities as a way to help engage seventh-graders across the state with local government.

According to Mickey Shields, the director of membership services for the League, the statewide competition is open to seventh-graders and has five winners each year, one winner from each district, roughly mirroring the congressional districts, and one overall state winner.

'It's easy to think that kids don't care or know who their mayor is,” said Shields. 'But these kids are our future and these essays really show that. Sometimes (the essays) are about something silly like a candy factory, but other times it shows they really care.”

Though Shields was not one of the judges for the contest, the thing that stood out to him in Ferdig's essay was her concern with local beautification and care for homeless veterans.

'I felt like (other students) weren't going to talk about those,” Ferdig said. 'I thought they were great topics.”

The issue of resources for veterans especially is one that is important to her and her family. Her father, now retired, was in the 82nd Airborne Division; likewise, her grandfather and her brother have also been in the armed forces.

Ferdig said she was excited winning the contest will afford her the opportunity to meet the other essay contest winners and see their views on things. Even more than that, though, she's excited to meet Gov. Reynolds.

'I really enjoy her,” Ferdig said. 'We share some of the same views and I think it would be cool if she'd run for the presidency.”

Running for mayor or otherwise entering into politics is something Ferdig might 'look for in the future,” but she had more immediate plans.

'I play five instruments: clarinet, trombone, flute, trumpet and alto saxophone,” said Ferdig. 'I would like to be a band major (at the University of Iowa).”

Ferdig and the other regional winners will each receive a $250 scholarship. State winner, Larae Steiner, of Mediapolis, will receive a $500 scholarship.