Top honors came to eight middle school students for their essay writing skills and for telling the mayor how they would run the city.
Duncan Mayor Robert Armstrong said students from Derrick Miller’s journalism class at Duncan Middle School participated in the “If I were Mayor” essay contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Municipal League.
“Students were challenged to write about what they would do if elected mayor,” he said. “Their ideas were well thought out and considerate.”
Armstrong said students wrote about several ideas they had, such as hosting community events to bring the people of Duncan together.
“They wanted to focus on recreation and planning family-friendly activities,” he said. “One student addressed the walkability of Duncan and would plan for more sidewalks.”
He said many of the students emphasized the importance of taking care of the Earth to bring a better future.
“They would have a community garden at the school and invest in green initiatives,” he said. “They addressed the importance of taking care of our students by providing more food choices for the kids.”
Armstrong said they would want to work on improving the roads, as well as to bring more restaurants to Duncan.
The students also focused on the importance of public safety.
“They wanted to help make more jobs and support small businesses,” he said. “Several students said the main goal of the mayor is to make the city better.”
Armstrong said one student added how they would focus on “ensuring that the well-being of the city’s population was at the heart of all decision making.”
He said they have a good group of leaders for these students to look up to.
“We have good teachers who encourage students to think about how they can make a difference,” he said. “We have a great set of students who are looking to the future with big ideas and servant hearts. Duncan’s future is bright.”
Armstrong presented certificates to Eastyn Casteel and Abi Lewis.
Other students who received the honor included Geo Dickey, Noah Lange, Jayden Miller, Jaxon Mitchell, Bella Reyes and Adalyn Washington.
