For a chance to win up to $1,000, Florida middle-schoolers just have to answer one question: “What would you do if you were elected mayor?”

Sponsored by the Florida League of Mayors and the Florida League of Cities, the contest is meant to spark interest in the state’s home rule policies. 

“A city can decide for itself,” the contest application says. “We call that power ‘Home Rule’ because the decision is made at ‘home.’”

All sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in Florida are eligible to enter the contest. To enter, students must fill out an entry form and submit it by mail or online with an essay no longer than one page or 250 words answering what they would do if elected mayor of their home.

The contest is now open, and entries will be accepted until Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. 

The student selected as the third-place winner will receive a $250 gift card, second place will receive a $500 gift card, and the first-place winner will receive a $1,000 gift card. Winners will also receive a resolution in their honor at their hometown’s commission meeting.

For more information, or to enter the contest, visit www.floridamayors.org.