VIDEO: This Grade 5 student gets to be Sault's mayor for a day

Sault Ste. Marie has announced the winner of its "Mayor for a Day" contest.

Holy Cross Catholic School’s Cassianna Somme will get to officially open the city council meeting on Monday, June 19.

The Grade 5 student submitted a video for her application, showing off her favourite sites in the Sault, including Bellevue Park, the marina, the museum and the many murals downtown.

“Our city is so beautiful, we’ve had Hallmark movies filmed here,” Somme exclaimed in her submission.

She also shows several photos of her family taking what they feel is the best tour in town on the Agawa Canyon Train.

“If I were mayor for the day, I’d make sure everyone knew about it,” she said.

Somme also hopes to use her 24 hours in office to improve playground equipment at local parks and add additional resources to tackle homelessness and mental health.

As Mayor for a Day, Somme will get to tour the Civic Centre and meet with Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. Her class at Holy Cross Catholic School will also receive a pizza party and a visit from the mayor.

In a news release, the city says it received hundreds of written and video applications in which students “demonstrated an understanding of municipal governance and operations, along with a passion for Sault Ste. Marie.”

Five of those students received honourable mentions in the contest. They will also be invited to the June 19 council meeting:

• Naina Luitel (Anna McCrea Public School)
• Mia Slukynsky (St. Paul Catholic School)
• Millie McDonald (Holy Cross Catholic School)
• Taheem Islam (Anna McCrea Public School)
• Vivienne Marriott (F.H. Clergue Public School) 

“I was very impressed with the hundreds of submissions we received, and I want to recognize all of the local students who took the time to participate,” said Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. 

“The Mayor for a Day contest is a great way for the city to engage with our local youth, and I’m looking forward to meeting our winner and the honourable mentions at the city council meeting later this month.”