'If I Were Mayor' Student Contest

Calling all students from Grade 4-12 have you ever thought about what you would do if you were Mayor of Stayton?

2025-2026 'If I Were Mayor' Contest

Have you ever wondered what you'd do if you were the Mayor of Stayton? Now's your chance to share your big ideas, creativity, and leadership abilities! The contest is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about their city and envision the possibilities of their future.

The City of Stayton invites all students to participate in this exciting contest - show us how you'd make our city even better!

Important Dates:

  • Entries due: Friday, March 6, 2026 at 5 p.m.
  • Winners announced: Monday, March 16, 2026 Council Meeting

The Mayor of Stayton will choose a contest winner from each category. 

Winners of the City of Stayton contest will be submitted into the statewide competition.

Contest Categories

  • Elementary School (Grades 4-5): Create a Poster - show your ideas in color and creativity!
    • Posters - take a photo and save as a PNG, JPEG, or PDF file
    • Open to students enrolled in grades 4 & 5 or being home-schooled at the same grade level for the 2025-26 school year.
    • Students are encouraged to be creative and may use any art medium (paint, felt pens, colored pencils, pastels, crayons, 3D art, etc.).
    • Winner will receive $50 from the City of Stayton for themselves and $50 for their classroom!
  • Middle School (Grades 6-8): Write an Essay - tell us what you'd do as mayor!
    • Essays - formats allowed: Word, PDF, PowerPoint
    • The essay contest is open to students enrolled in grades 6-8 or being home-schooled at the same grade level for the 2025-26 school year.
    • Essays must be 500-1,000 words in length and typed.
    • Winner will receive $100 from the City of Stayton for themselves and $100 for their classroom!
  • High School (Grades 9-12): Make a Digital Media Presentation - wow us with your video or digital creation!
    • Digital Media Presentations - formats allowed: MP4 or online video format
    • Open to students enrolled in grades 9-12 or being home-schooled at the same grade level for the 2025-26 school years.
    • Presentations must be one to three minutes in length and may be submitted by email.
    • Winner will receive $150 from the City of Stayton for themselves and $150 for their classroom!

The Stayton winners in each category will move on to compete in the Oregon Mayors Association Statewide Contest for a chance to win a prize worth $500!

How to Enter

Please note that students must submit their projects to the city where they are enrolled (i.e. submit your project to the City of Stayton, if you attend school within the City of Stayton - including homeschool students).

To enter, please send:

  • 1) A completed "If I Were Mayor Entry Form" and
  • 2) A completed poster, essay, or digital media presentation

to Howard Tsang, Community Engagement Coordinator at htsang@staytonoregon.gov

If I Were Mayor Entry Form available:

Additional Resources

2024-2025 'If I Were Mayor' Contest Winners

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