The League of Minnesota Cities is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Mayor for a Day Essay Contest, inviting Minnesota’s fourth, fifth, and sixth graders to share their big ideas for improving their communities.
Students can enter by answering the question: “What would you do if you were mayor for a day?” Contest winners will each receive $100, be recognized in Minnesota Cities magazine, and have their voices shared statewide. Essays must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 12.
The 2024 contest set a record with 830 submissions from across Minnesota — the most in the contest’s 13-year history. Last year’s winners hailed from Clear Lake, Deephaven, Otsego, and Minneapolis, with additional honorable mentions from Coon Rapids, Littlefork, Mendota Heights, and Roosevelt.
“We are thrilled to see such enthusiasm from students across Minnesota,” League of Minnesota Cities President and West St. Paul Council Member Wendy Berry said. “Last year’s record number of essays shows how much young people care about their cities. This contest continues to spark creativity, civic pride, and interest in local government.”
Submissions can be sent via an online form, PDF email attachment, or by mail. Full contest details, including a guide on what it’s like to be a mayor in Minnesota, are available at lmc.org/mayorforaday.
Winners only will be notified in January 2026.
