"If I Were Mayor..." Student Contest

"If I Were Mayor" Contest - Share Your Vision!

Students have the opportunity to share their creative and inspirational ideas about what they would do as the Mayor of Forest Grove.

Prizes:

• 1st Place (each category): $100 cash prize + recognition from the Mayor and City Council at a City Council meeting
• 2nd Place (each category): $75 cash prize
• 3rd Place (each category): $50 cash prize

The 1st place winners from each category will advance to the statewide competition for the chance to win a $500 prize! These winners will be honored at an awards ceremony during the Oregon Mayor’s Association Annual Summer Conference.

Don't miss this chance to make your voice heard and share your vision for the future of Forest Grove!

Entries must be received by midnight on Monday, February 23, 2026.

How to Participate: 

Students interested in participating should complete the online application form (located below). Entries may be submitted electronically, mailed, or dropped off in person to:

City of Forest Grove
Attn. Jaime Zaik
1924 Council Street
Forest Grove, OR 97116

Questions? Contact Jaime Zaik, at jzaik@forestgrove-or.gov or 503-992-3234.

Contest Categories: 

Posters (grades 4 & 5)

• Open to students in grades 4 & 5 or being home-schooled at the same grade level for the 2025-2026 school year. 
• Students are encouraged to be creative and may use any art medium (paint, felt pens, colored pencils, pastels, crayons, 3D art, collages, etc.).
• The student’s name and a daytime phone number or email address for their parent or guardian must appear on the back of the poster.

Essays (grades 6 - 8)

• The essay contest is open to students in grades 6 - 8 or being home-schooled at the same grade level for the 2025-26 school year.
• Essays must be 500 - 1,000 words in length and typed.
• The student’s name and a daytime phone number or email address for their parent or guardian must appear at the top of the essay.

Digital media presentations (grades 9 - 12)

• Open to students in grades 9 - 12 or being home-schooled at the same grade level for the 2025-26 school year. 
• Presentations must be 1 - 3 minutes in length and may be submitted via email. 
• The student’s name and a daytime phone number or email address for their parent or guardian must be in the title of the electronic file.