Approve recommendation from the Youth Advisory Council seeking approval of the winners of the "If I were elected the Mayor of the City of Fort Pierce" Essay Contest as follows:  First Place - Khen Julia, 11th grade, Home-schooled; Second Place - Gerlexus Thompson, 10th Grade; YouthServ Academy, Inc.; Third Place - Demetrius Cobb, 8th grade, YouthServ Academy, Inc.; Honorable Mention - Meliya Brown, 3rd Grade, YouthServ Academy, Inc.

The “If I Were Elected Mayor of the City of Fort Pierce…” essay contest spearheaded by the Youth Advisory Council was launched in October 2025 as part of the City's observance of Florida City Week. From October 20 to November 14, middle and high school students were invited to imagine themselves as mayor of Fort Pierce. Essays focused on leadership, local issues, and the concept of Home Rule—how cities govern themselves to meet community needs. At the end of the deadline for submissions, only one essay was received. At the November meeting, the YOCO voted to extend the deadline to December 12, 2025. 

At the close of the contest, 3 additional essays were received, including one from a second-grade student. During the December 18 YOCO meeting, the members voted to recommend that all students should be included in the review and selection process, even though two of the essays were longer than 250 words. The following criteria were used to judge the essays: creativity, clarity, sincerity and thought, and appropriate grammar, spelling, and essay construction.  The winners are:

• First Place - Khen Julia, 11th grade, Home-schooled
• Second Place - Gerlexus Thompson, 10th Grade, YouthServ Academy, Inc.
• Third Place - Demetrius Cobb, 8th grade, YouthServ Academy, Inc.
• Honorable Mention - Meliya Brown, 3rd Grade, YouthServ Academy, Inc.

Staff recommends approving the Youth Advisory Council's recommendations for the winners of the essay contest.

Staff will proceed as directed by staff. 

Audria V. Moore, Special Projects Coordinator

Youth Advisory Council