Fourth-Grader Is Gaithersburg's New Junior Mayor

GAITHERSBURG, MD — The City of Gaithersburg has a new junior mayor.

Hayden Sandlin, a fourth grade student at Fields Road Elementary School, was selected to be junior mayor from an applicant pool of several dozen resident fourth graders.

Through the "If I Were Mayor…" essay contest, applicants were asked to explain how they'd improve their city, in 275 words or less. Hayden's essay addressed environmental preservation.

"If I were mayor, I would decrease the use of fossil-fueled buses and increase the use of electrical buses," he wrote. "I believe the preservation of the environment is a key part to the future, and every little contribution to it can help build a stronger future."

Essays were independently reviewed by members of the Gaithersburg Educational Enrichment Committee and city staff.

Hayden learned that he'd won the contest via a call from Mayor Jud Ashman.

Hayden's reaction, according to his mother, "was priceless."

The Junior Mayor introduced himself to the public for the first time in a video here.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no physical passing of the gavel from the outgoing Junior Mayor, Diego Flores-Cerezo. The Summit Hall Elementary School student, however, has shared some outgoing remarks — which can be found here.

Hayden will be invited to join Ashman and members of the City Council at virtual and in-person (when it is safe to do so) ceremonies and events throughout the year.

He will also host a community service project at his school, in which the mayor and City Council will participate.