City commission members with the Mayor for a Month honorees. {City of Parkland}
By Bryan Boggiano
The city commission recognized two participants in the city’s Mayor for a Month program at their Nov. 13 commission meeting.
Seventh-grader Gabriella Duman and eighth-grader John Bresse, both from Westglades Middle School, will have the chance to fill the mayor’s shoes and “lead” a town of over 35,000 people — without getting elected.
They also took the oath of office, which Mayor Rich Walker administered.
According to city documents, any Parkland resident in grades six through 12 is eligible for the Mayor for a Month program, whether in public school, private school, charter school, or a homeschooling setting.
Students have the opportunity to attend city commission meetings, go to city events, and learn more about municipal government.
Walker said the mayors will accompany him to these events for a month through mid-December, hoping to provide young people with confidence, support, and recognition.
“In my opinion, the work we do in municipal government is one of the best ways to grasp just how important it is for our young people to get involved in their communities and invest their time and talent into their hometown,” he said.
Walker continued, saying he hopes program participants take what they learn from being mayor for a month and use it to build a successful future.
“I hope this exposure will allow for additional opportunities for the participants to become involved in their community and develop as leaders.”
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Author Profile
- A University of Florida journalism graduate, Bryan plans to pursue geosciences at Florida International University for his master's. He has a strong interest in weather, entertainment, and journalism.
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