Grade four student Matilda Vasina wins Squamish’s Mayor for a Day contest

Grade six student Chloe Young, grade three student Lila Folinsbee and grade two student Eden Lumb to act as Deputy Mayor for a Day

If you had one day as District of Squamish Mayor, what would you do? Local elementary students seized the opportunity to share their vision and ideas in the annual Mayor for a Day contest. Squamish Waldorf School grade four student Matilda Vasina has been chosen to act as Squamish’s Mayor for a Day on Friday, May 25 and will be joined by three Deputy Mayors, Squamish Elementary grade six student Chloe Young, and Squamish Montessori grade three and grade two students Lila Folinsbee and Eden Lumb.

“It’s very clear that we are raising the next generation of thoughtful leaders, entrepreneurs, business people and community volunteers,” says District of Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “All of the students demonstrated creativity, passion and a desire to do great things in our growing community, which is so encouraging and inspiring to see. I am confident Squamish will be in good hands for many years to come.”

Matilda submitted an illustration of a ‘world full of peace’ along with letters on the importance of conserving energy and caring for our animals. Matilda also wrote an original song about world peace. Chloe expressed her ideas on how to increase Sea to Sky Highway safety and the importance of youth and community engagement in municipal affairs, while Lila and Eden jointly submitted their illustrated vision for a green Squamish along with their ideas for reducing waste, affordable housing and our natural environment, complete with dried leaves, flowers and bark.

Mayor for a Day contest winners will be treated to a morning of activities including a visit to the dog pound and SPCA animals, photos taken in the Mayor’s Chair at Municipal Hall, a tour of the Squamish RCMP Detachment 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 20 to 26, 2018, in conjunction with National Public Works Week. 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 the District of Squamish website at http://squamish.ca. To put your local government knowledge to the test, take our Local Government Awareness quiz.

May 25, 2018