Diane Lane’s sixth-grade class had a very special guest speaker on Feb. 24.

Councilwoman Roslyn Palmer visited and spoke to them about Georgia Municipal Association’s “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest, explaining the inner workings of city government.

The visit gave the kids a chance to ask questions and learn about what city employees do on a day-to-day basis. Palmer answered all of their questions, and presented each student with a special goodie bag, complete with a City of Bainbridge Annual Report to aid them in their endeavor.

The Georgia Municipal Association invites all sixth-grade students from around the state to participate in the program, addressing the topic, “If I Were Mayor, I Would…”

Twelve winners—one from each of GMA’s districts—will be selected and invited, along with their parents, teacher and local mayor, to an awards luncheon in April. Prizes, including a $250 savings bond, will be awarded to each winner. Each participating student will also receive a certificate of participation.

On the local level, Mayor Mark Harrell and the Bainbridge City Council will recognize a local winner and honor that student in the April 21 meeting of Bainbridge City Council.

The winning student will “preside” over the meeting, as well as read their winning essay aloud. The winner will also receive a plaque, $50 in Bainbridge Bucks and a ride to school in a police car—complete with lights and a siren. The local runner-up will receive a plaque and $25 in Bainbridge Bucks.