Jacob Levine Named Gaithersburg Jr. Mayor

Diamond Elementary School’s Jacob Levine, a fourth grader, has been named Gaithersburg Junior Mayor for 2013.

Students throughout the city were eligible to submit essays describing what they would do if they were mayor.

The theme for the contest was “Vision for the Future.”

Six finalists of the 166 entries were selected and all were invited to Gaithersburg City Hall for a video interview. When asked why he should be chosen as Junior Mayor, Jacob replied, “I would be the best choice for Gaithersburg’s Junior Mayor because I am hardworking and like listening to what other people have to say.” In his essay, Jacob stated “I would make hangout spots like a mall or a neighborhood park safer for kids. Another thing I would do is increase pedestrian safety near school zones.”

The Junior Mayor will participate with Mayor Sidney Katz and members of the city council in several public events throughout the year. Levine makes his first public appearance at the State of the City address on April 10. His winning essay is posted on the city’s website and below:

The contest is sponsored statewide by the Maryland Municipal League (MML) in partnership with the Maryland Mayors’ Association, the Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund and Local Government Insurance Trust. Gaithersburg Elementary School’s Maya Walker served as the 2012 Junior Mayor in Gaithersburg.