"If I Were Mayor" Student Contest
Here is how it works...!
McMinnville Mayor, Kim Morris and Lafayette Mayor, Hilary Malcomson have teamed up for this year's "If I Were Mayor" Student Contest. Each Mayor will select one winning student for each of the three categories listed below.
The official contest (promoted by Oregon Mayor's Association) kicked off in late 2025, but Cities may participate anytime during the school year - as long as the winning entries reach the League of Oregon Cities by the April 1, 2026 deadline.
What does that mean to you?
Submissions are due March 20th, 2026.
**You'll participate based on your home address.**
McMinnville Residents - Email your submissions to Noelle Amaya, Communications & Engagement Manager at - noelle.amaya@mcminnvilleoregon.gov OR bring them in-person to City Hall located at 230 NE 2nd Street, McMinnville, OR
Lafayette Residents - Email your submissions to Hilary Malcomson, Mayor at hmalcomson@lafayetteoregon.gov OR bring them in-person to City Hall located at 486 3rd St, Lafayette, OR
Subject line: If I were Mayor...
Elementary School (grades 4 & 5)
Posters Contest (Photo of poster can be PNG, JPEG, or PDF files). Students are encouraged to be creative and may use any art medium (paint, felt pens, colored pencils, pastels, crayons, 3D Art, etc...)
If I win, what do I get?
Entered into the statewide contest + A Pizza Party for your classroom with the Mayor + City Swag bags for the classroom
Middle School (grade 6-8)
Essay Contest (Word, PDF, or online essay format). Essays must be 500-1,000 words in length and typed.
If I win, what do I get?
Entered into the statewide contest + Your very own GoPro Camera!
High School (grades 9-12)
Digital Media Presentations (Videos only, MP4 or online video format). Presentations must be one to three minutes in length and may be submitted via email.
If I win, what do I get?
Entered into the statewide contest + A pair of Beats headphones!
Winners from each category will be entered into a state wide contest for a $500 cash prize!
First place statewide winning students in each of the three categories will win $500, second and third place winning students win $300 and $100 and will be invited to be recognized at the last City Council meeting in April.
Don't forget to download your student's entry form below and submit with your project!
Phases
Submission of Winners to OMA
The City will submit it's winners to OMA by the April 1st deadline.
OMA will notify the City of the winners in late Spring early Summer!
Upcoming and ongoing events
Past events
Event date: April 23rd, 2026 from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
1 registrant