Grade 6 student Ayla Dumais straightens her back and bangs the gavel confidently, bringing the room to attention.
Ayla, a student from Squamish Waldorf School, looks at home in the mayor’s chair in Squamish council chambers on Friday morning.
She is the District’s annual Mayor for a Day contest winner. As winner, she got to take a spin in the mayor’s chair and wear the official Chain of Office.
“It feels great,” said Ayla, of the honour. “It feels like I am really getting somewhere in my life of adventure.”
Ayla’s winning entry included a video, original song and colourful poster depicting the ways Squamish could improve.
“I would love to replace the oil and gas industry with biofuel, geothermal, tidal wave and solar energy to make it a more clean, positive, beautiful place and then we can help the earth,” Ayla told The Chief.
Ayla was joined by the deputy mayor for the day winners, Cultural Journeys’ Grade 6 student Aili Lobdell and Squamish Elementary School Grade 3 student Annika Gould.
Aili won for the video she created about her love of people, her community and her goal to be mayor.
Annika’s colourful poster in French about the benefits of exercise, fresh air and an active community garnered her the deputy win.
“All of the students’ demonstrated passion, creativity and a desire to care for our special community, which is always encouraging and inspiring to read,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman in a news release announcing the winners. “I am confident our town will be in good hands for years to come by this next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, business people and community volunteers.”
The winners spent Friday with Heintzman touring the Squamish RCMP detachment, the dog pound and SPCA, checking out municipal hall and capped the day off with a ride in a fire truck. They also get to share a pizza lunch with their classmates.
