Montgomery News

Rockville, Maryland — If she were mayor, Joyce Tian would uplift, honor and celebrate Rockville through the city’s special events and farmers market.

Joyce, a fourth grader in Laurel Czajkowski’s class at Beall Elementary School in Rockville, will get to see what it’s like to be mayor when she serves as the city’s honorary “Mayor for a Day” on Thursday, May 25.

She earned the honor for writing a winning essay in the “If I Were Mayor, I Would …” essay contest sponsored by the Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Mayors Association. Joyce’s essay, one of 11 winning essays selected statewide to represent each MML district, was selected best of District 5, which comprises Montgomery and Howard counties.

On her day as mayor, Joyce will tour City Hall, the Rockville City Police Department and Croydon Creek Nature Center. She will also attend the Department of Public Works’ Equipment Show at Mattie J. T. Stepanek Park and have lunch with Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton. Members of the media are invited to interview and photograph the “mini mayor” at work on May 25. To arrange to do so, contact Director of Communication Kathy Kirk-Dantzler at kdantzler@rockvillemd.gov.

The essay contest, with the theme of “Preserving the Past to Power the Future,” asked students to think about their hometown and its traditions, beliefs or events, including which traditions, beliefs or events they would uplift and honor, which they would try to change, and how they would get people to participate.

Joyce wrote that she would try to involve more people in city events like Lunar New Year, International Night and Rockville Pride “because they are all about celebrating different types of races, cultures, and beliefs;” ceremonies marking Sept. 1, Veterans Day and Memorial Day “because they all honor people who have served for us or our freedom;” and the Rockville Farmers Market “because it lets people buy fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, and much more.” She also said she would listen to what people say about the city’s Independence Day celebration.

In addition to her day as mayor, Joyce will be recognized at the Mayor and Council meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Monday, May 22. Find the meeting agenda, including information about how to watch, at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter. Joyce also will take part in the city’s longest-running special event on Monday, May 29 when she rides in the 79th Annual Memorial Day Parade.

For more information about the essay contest, visit MML’s website at mdmunicipal.org.

Original source can be found here.