Mallory McGee might have a pretty good future in government.
The Georgia Municipal Association chose RHMS sixth grader Mallory McGee’s submission to the “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest as the District 12 winner, beating out 272 other district entries.
If Mallory were indeed the mayor of Richmond Hill, she states in her essay she would “improve recycling by making ordinances to stop people from littering…add more sidewalks…hire more police agents and fire fighters so the hours of work aren’t so long…increase the tree population…help organize where different buildings and houses should be built.”
A panel of city officials who are also educators or involved in youth programs selected the winning essays based upon creativity, clarity, sincerity of thought and proper use of grammar.
Mallory’s essay was first chosen by her teacher, Catherine Warren before going to the state level. Warren recently had the privilege of giving Mallory the good news.
“It feels really good to win this contest,” said Mallory. “I was really proud when Ms. Warren told me I got first place.”
Mallory said she is excited about meeting Richmond Hill Mayor Richard Davis and city manager Mike Melton, who are taking time out today to travel to Atlanta to be there when the GMA honors Mallory.
Upon hearing the news, Davis rescheduled his appointments on this busy Georgia Cities Week and agreed to make the trip.
“I’m excited about it myself,” said Davis. “I always get a kick out reading the contest entries each year, and it’s nice to have one of our own young people recognized by the GMA.”
Although Davis jokingly said that the kids always make it sound so simple in regard to making things happen in the city, he recognized that Mallory’s imaginary goals and visions match up with many of his.
“I look at a lot of things in her essay, and I see things that I might have said 25 years ago,” said Davis, pointing out that some of Mallory’s ideas are actually slated for the future.
Mallory came to realize this herself during a recent visit to the city offices, where she met and spent time with Richmond Hill Community Development Specialist Jan Bass.
Bass showed Mallory the forthcoming Streetscape program which will add sidewalks to downtown Richmond Hill and the city’s plans on tree planting.
In her essay, Mallory spoke numerous times about “writing grants to get money to help the city.” Bass showed Mallory some of the real grants she has recently written to try to do just that.
Mallory must have been impressed because, when asked what she aspires to be when she grows up, Mallory responded, “I’d like to do economic development like Ms. Bass. The more she explained to me about her plans for the city, the more I’d agree that she’s right.”
“She keeps me on my toes,” said Bill McGee on his essay-winning daughter. “She’s always had a knack for writing. She takes after her mother (Carver school teacher Jennsey McGee) in that regard.”