There is power in student voices.

What’s more, a handful of our GIPS 6th Grade Scholars found their voices showcased on our community’s biggest stage.

Why?

Because they leaned into their creativity and were bold enough to share their vision for our community.

Earlier this Spring, The Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grand Island approached us at GIPS asking if we’d be interested in participating in a new student-focused endeavor they hoped could become an annual event.  They called it the, “Grand Island 6th Grade Mayor for a Day Essay Contest”.

City 6th Graders could submit, at no cost, a 400-word essay answering two questions:

1. What do I love most about Grand Island?
2. What changes would you make by the year 2030?

Truly a fun exercise designed to amplify area student voices.

As a result, Grand Island Public Schools is pleased to share that out of a field of nearly 90 submissions, GIPS students claimed three of the top eight essay placements with an additional one an honorable mention.

And most notably, one of our own 6th Graders, Saybel Raez Almaguer from Walnut Middle School, was the grand, overall winner.

His prize?

He gets to be “Mayor for a Day” later this month alongside Grand Island Mayor, Roger Steele.
But what’s even more impressive was Saybel’s essay itself, his selfless approach to casting a vision for his home community, and how he seeks to support all people in feeling welcome and supported.

In this episode, Saybel shares his story and reads his full award-winning essay. 

Because our students, if we let them, will help show us the way.

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GUEST: 
Saybel Raez Almaguer, Walnut Middle School

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/