Grade five student Willow Paull wins Squamish’s Mayor for a Day contest

Grade one student Hudson van Dyck to act as Deputy Mayor for a Day

What would you do if you could be District of Squamish Mayor for just one day? Squamish students seized the opportunity to share their community hopes and dreams in the annual District of Squamish Mayor for a Day contest. Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School grade five student Willow Paull has been chosen to act as Mayor for a Day on Friday, May 24 and will be joined by Deputy Mayor, Squamish Montessori grade one student, seven-year-old Hudson van Dyck.

“It’s truly inspiring to hear from our next generation of bright and thoughtful leaders and changemakers in our community,” says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. “Each student demonstrated passion, creativity and an honest desire to create good in our community. I am confident that the future of our town is in very capable hands.”

Willow submitted a heartfelt letter and desire to learn more about the people who ‘make it possible for Squamish to work’. Accompanying the letter was a series of photos she took of various District and emergency vehicles and facilities. Hudson submitted his hopes and dreams in the form of a video with his hope of building a farm where everyone could donate their time in exchange for food.

Mayor for a Day contest winners will be treated to a morning of activities including a visit to Squamish RCMP Detachment, photos taken in the Mayor’s Chair at Municipal Hall, a scavenger hunt and a ride in a fire truck, and will return to school with a pizza lunch to share with their classmates.

The Mayor for a Day contest is held as the District joins the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and other municipalities across British Columbia in celebrating Local Government Awareness Week from May 19 to 25, 2019. The goal of the week is to build awareness about the vital role local government plays in the community.   

Special thanks to all of the students who submitted their entries. Students are always encouraged to learn more about local government by visiting Municipal Hall and other District of Squamish service locations and browsing the District of Squamish website.

May 17, 2019