Each year, the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) invites 4th, 5th, and 6th-graders to imagine themselves in the big chair. The “Mayor for a Day” essay contest asks students one simple question: “What would you do if you were mayor for a day?”
Since 2013, this contest has inspired young Minnesotans to learn about local government and civic engagement. For 2025, winners were selected from Silver Bay, Minnetrista, Woodbury, and St. James, with honorable mentions going to students from Duluth, Blaine, Spring Valley, and Lakeville.
The finalists were judged by League President and West St. Paul City Council Member Wendy Berry. Each winner received a plaque, a $100 prize, and the honor of having their work published in Minnesota Cities magazine.
Silver Bay had two impressive 6th-grade candidates this year. Ultimately, Everlie Ernest, a student in Mary Nieters’ classroom, was chosen as one of the statewide winners.
To celebrate her achievement, Silver Bay Mayor Wade LeBlanc visited her classroom on Wednesday, March 25. The Mayor spoke to the class about Everlie’s hard work and brought along some special celebratory cookies to recognize her accomplishment.
Everlie’s essay stood out for its focus on kindness, community care, and creativity. Here is her award-winning entry:
If I were mayor for a day, I would organize a garbage pick-up day once a month to try to keep our town clean.
Then I would start a really good fundraiser for the people in need. I would have my grandma bake cookies, and that’s how I would get the fundraiser started. I would send out a paper and have the mailman give it to people, so they come. The cookies would be $4 because they’re homemade (with love).
When the fundraiser got enough money, I would go to Zups or Costco and get lots of food for the people in need. Then I would also get hygiene products like deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hairbrushes. I would go to Bath & Body Works to get body wash and perfume for the girls, then go to Target and get the brand called Finery, which is cologne, for the boys. Then I would go to Walmart and get the men Body by Dove.
I would add a new park because I think there should be more shade and a water station. I would also go clean the pollution out of the lake in the summer.
A mayor needs to be ready for negative things being said and disagreements, stay calm, and stay strong during emotional situations, like if they ever ban cookies. They need to make sure to take care of the community by focusing on economic development and getting teachers to strengthen public education.
That’s how I would be mayor for a day.
Congratulations to Everlie on a job well done and for representing Silver Bay so well in the pages of Minnesota Cities magazine!
About the League of Minnesota Cities
The LMC is a membership association serving over 800 cities across the state. Founded in 1913, it provides advocacy, training, and resources to help local governments excel.
