The Florida League of Mayors (FLM) has announced the 2023-2024 “If I Were Elected Mayor” essay contest winners. The contest, hosted annually, is sponsored by FLM and the Florida League of Cities.

The contest required participants to write a 250-word essay describing how they would make a difference in their city if they were elected mayor and how Home Rule, the ability of local governments to address local problems with local solutions, helps make their city a great place to live. All middle school students in the state who attend public or private schools or who are homeschooled were invited to participate. More than 1,000 essays were submitted.

This year’s contest winners, including a tie for First Place, are:

• First Place: Andrew Johnson, Gulf Coast Classical Academy, City of Clearwater
• First Place: Aayushi Kamdar, Coral Springs Middle School, City of Coral Springs
• Second Place: Marialucia Hernandez, Emerald Cove Middle School, Village of Wellington
• Third Place: Maya Morrison, Coral Springs Middle School, City of Coral Springs

Andrew’s winning essay explained that, as mayor, his goals would be to address the city’s population increase and lower the crime rate by employing more police officers. Aayushi, too, wrote that he would focus on policing in his community and place an emphasis on sustainability in his winning essay.

All four contest winners were recognized by their Mayors during meetings of their local government. They will be presented with a joint resolution from the FLC and FLM, and their essays are published on the FLM website.