Sisters youth wins essay competition

Liz Stewart knows what she'd do if she were mayor. The 14-year-old has won an essay contest for putting those thoughts into writing.

"I researched the mayor's role and what did they do for the community. I wanted to do an original essay," she said. "I was thinking about what kind of leadership I had (personally) done... I thought of my soccer team; I was captain."

In her essay she said "A strong team or city always has a secret weapon, it is not skills or brains, it is leadership."

Stewart's essay was selected as the best from entries submitted by many of the 200-plus mayors around the state. At the Oregon Mayors Conference in Madras the winners of the elementary, middle school and high school categories read their winning entries to the 60-some mayors assembled for the conference. Liz received a certificate and a new laptop in recognition of her effort. She was also asked to read her essay to the Sisters City Council last Thursday, where she was presented with a certificate of recognition.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Sisters School Board member Cheryl Stewart. She was encouraged to enter the essay contest by Sisters Middle School Principal Mark Stewart (no relation).

"I didn't think I had any chance of wining. I wouldn't normally enter an essay contest. I learned that if you just put yourself out there you can surprise yourself," said Liz.