Students ponder what to do "if I were mayor'

January 17, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated January 17, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

In an effort to create excitement about an essay contest, Jefferson City Mayor Eric Struemph, foreground left, and Second Ward Councilman Shawn Schulte (not pictured), visited with fifth-grade students at South Elementary School. To explain how a primary works, Struemph had three students come to the front of the class and asked their classmates to vote their favorite by which shirt they preferred. The students will use the information they learned to better write their own essays about being Mayor.
In an effort to create excitement about an essay contest, Jefferson City Mayor Eric Struemph, foreground left, and Second Ward Councilman Shawn Schulte (not pictured), visited with fifth-grade students at South Elementary School. To explain how a primary works, Struemph had three students come to the front of the class and asked their classmates to vote their favorite by which shirt they preferred. The students will use the information they learned to better write their own essays about being Mayor.

Judging from the questions a group of fifth-graders peppered Mayor Eric Struemph with on Wednesday, public safety and school security issues are definitely on the minds of Jefferson City's school children.

The students, all who attend South Elementary School, will be participating in the school's sixth annual essay contest. In the past, winners have earned prizes and read their entries aloud before the Jefferson City Council. This year's topic is: "If I were mayor ..."

To help the children prepare for it, Struemph and Second Ward Councilman Shawn Schulte on Wednesday talked about their duties and explained the role of city government in civic life.

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