GMG seventh grader Bryleigh Bartel pictured with her Iowa Essay Contest award certificate. Bartel placed fifth in the contest out of 840 entries. PHOTO BY TAGE BOWERS/THE SCOOP

Seventh grader Bryleigh Bartel’s essay recently won fifth place in Iowa’s “If I Were Mayor” contest.

GMG social studies teacher Logan Benson’s classes were introduced to the competition for the class to participate in.

The “If I Were Mayor” contest is about what a person would do about their town if they were mayor. This contest is held every year for seventh graders in Social Studies and English classes.

Out of 840 people, Bartel won fifth place. Bartel said she was surprised when it was announced. She received a gift basket.

If someone who placed higher in the contest had dropped out, Bartel could have met Governor Kim Reynolds.

Bartel said she would participate in something like this again.