‘If I Were Mayor…’ Bel Air’s youngest residents give their mayoral plans

Three fourth graders from Bel Air Elementary School earned statewide recognition this spring, advancing to the semi-finalist round of the Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor…” essay contest — and apparently, that’s a bigger deal than most sitting mayors would like to admit.

Bel Air Students Recognized

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners honored students Andrew Julian, Andrew Newlin, and Bailey Templin at a town meeting June 1. Their fourth-grade teachers, Stephanie Borgess and Katie Hilyard, were recognized alongside them.

The three students were among 42 semi-finalists statewide — contestants whose essays reached the top five in their districts but did not take the overall district prize. The 11 statewide winners were honored at the Maryland State House in early April. The Maryland Municipal League announced the semi-finalists in late April.

What the Students Would Do as Mayor

Each student brought a distinct vision to their essay.

Andrew Julian focused on the basics of a livable town — cleaner parks, less litter, better-equipped police and firefighters, and more after-school programs for children.

“If I were mayor, I would try my best every day to make our city better, cleaner and kinder,” Andrew wrote. “I think minor changes can make big differences.”

Andrew Newlin took an environmental and community-building approach. His essay called for volunteers to pick up litter, care for trees and plants, and protect residents from pollution. He also proposed job fairs where residents could bring donated food alongside employment resources.

“In conclusion, being a good mayor is about bringing the community together,” Andrew wrote.

Bailey Templin zeroed in on infrastructure and quality of life. Her essay called for sidewalk repairs to improve pedestrian safety and economic development that would include outdoor swimming facilities and dog parks — both indoor and outdoor — along with more options for purchasing dog treats. She argued that pets are a meaningful part of community life and deserve to be celebrated.

“If we focus on improving how people live in the community today, we can continue to look towards a brighter future,” Bailey wrote.

Mayor Weighs In

Bel Air Mayor Paula Etting presented certificates of recognition to the students at the June 1 ceremony, with families and teachers on hand for the occasion. Etting commended the students for their ideas and thanked Bel Air Elementary’s faculty, the Maryland Mayors’ Association, and the Maryland Municipal League for creating the opportunity.

“What a great idea and what wonderful essays out of this, so congratulations,” Etting said.

About the Contest

The “If I Were Mayor…” contest is open to fourth graders across Maryland and is the Maryland Municipal League’s longest-running ambassador program. Now in its 26th consecutive year, the contest has drawn more than 50,000 student participants since it began. It is sponsored by the Maryland Mayors’ Association and is designed to encourage young students to think about local government, the role of a mayor, and how they might improve their own communities.