Essay Contest Winners Chosen

GMA received a record number of essays in this year's "If I Were Mayor, I Would" essay contest! More than 5,600 essays were submitted by 6th graders around the state. Popular topics included public safety, clean communities and protecting the environment. Students also wrote about bringing more jobs to their communities and providing shelter for people and animals.
 
This year, the judges picked 13 winners, after a tie in one of the districts. Those winners will all be honored at a luncheon later this month.
 
The winners for the essay contest were:
 
District 1
Lupita Vidana
Dalton Middle School

District 2
Corey Robinson
North Habersham 6th Grade Academy (Demorest)

District 3
Hayden Troy Butler
Hopewell Middle School (Milton)
And
Barrett Tallant
Fairplay Middle School (Douglasville)

District 4
Blake McNair
Temple Middle School

District 5
Caleb Moore
Jefferson Middle School

District 6
Kaitlyn Roberts
Fort Valley Middle School

District 7
Oakley Gibson
Burke County Middle School

District 8
Yanett Paz
Taylor County Upper Elementary
 
District 9
Nathan Smith
Glennville Middle School

District 10
Heeth Varnadoe
Brookwood School (Thomasville)

District 11
Deedric Mitchell
Newbern Middle School (Valdosta)

District 12
Rachel Murray
Oglethorpe Charter School (Savannah)
 
"We saw a lot of really good essays," said Ray City Mayor Carl Camon, who serves as a judge. "You can tell students are paying attention to what's going on in their communities. This contest tells us what we need to be doing to make our cities places they would like to live, and gives us a glimpse into the future when these young people are in leadership positions."
"If I Were Mayor, I Would..." Essay Contest

Essay Contest

The deadline for GMA's "If I Were Mayor, I Would . . ." Essay Contest is Friday, March 6, 2009. The contest is open to any 6th grade student in Georgia.

The contest gives students a chance to creatively use grade-specific language arts skills and civics/social studies knowledge.

One winning essay will be selected from each of GMA's 12 districts. Winners will receive a $250 savings bond and other prizes. The winners, along with their parents and and a teacher, will be recognized at an awards luncheon during April, 2009.

Teachers submitting multiple essays can attach one entry form to the entire class's work; however, please be sure the student's name and school name are somewhere on the essay in case the essay gets separated from the entry form.

All students submitting essays will receive a "Certificate of Participation" as a thank-you for their interest and effort.

Essays should be mailed to GMA, 201 Pryor Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, ATTN: Essay Contest

Contact Information
Contact Amy Henderson at 678-686-6226.
More Information

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