Oak Ridge 7th Graders Meet With Mayor

Oak Ridge Middle School 7th graders recently took time out of their busy day to meet with Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly.

The mayor visited with more than 40 students to provide them with insight on his various roles and responsibilities as the city’s mayor.

For the students, the opportunity to meet with the mayor will help them with an essay contest entitled, “If I Were Mayor…”

The students asked the mayor how he was elected, how Marion’s city budget works and about some of the projects he’s worked. “Write about what you would like the city to look like in 10 years,” AbouAssaly said. “Consider what you would like the parks and services to look like and how you would take care of people’s needs,” he added.

Oak Ridge Principal Travis Axeen said this was a tremendous opportunity for students. “We’re very thankful that Mayor AbouAssaly took time out of his day to come speak to our students,” Axeen said, “This really enables the students to make a connection and inspires them to be creative with their essays.”

The Iowa League of Cities is hosting the contest to encourage students to learn more about their local government. Regional winners will receive $250 scholarships and the statewide winner will receive a $500 college scholarship. Read some of the essays written by the 2016 winners and learn more about the contest at the Iowa League of Cities website.