WPS Student Named District 1 Winner in MML Essay Contest
Berlin, MD – Congratulations to Worcester Preparatory School’s (WPS) 4th Grade student Isla Pippin of Berlin, MD, for earning the title of District 1 Essay Winner in the Maryland Municipal League's (MML) "If I Were Mayor” 2025 Essay Contest.
Each year, 4th-grade students across the state participate in the “If I Were Mayor” essay contest, and this year’s theme is “Building Community for a New Generation.” Students were tasked with writing an essay about how they would inspire leadership in their city, town, or community, and describing a project they would undertake to motivate others to help improve their city, town, or community.
Isla’s thoughtful and creative submission distinguished itself among hundreds of entries in her district.
In her essay, she stated that she would “work towards a goal to make people feel welcomed and safe in the community, not only for our generation, but for the coming generations. I could do this by having new town events to make new neighbors feel welcome. We could also make new community buildings where everyone feels welcome.”
This year, over 1,500 essays were submitted by fourth-grade students across the state. Isla, a student in Mrs. Purnell’s 4th-grade class at Worcester Prep, was chosen as the finalist representing District 1, which includes Somerset, Worcester, Wicomico, and Dorchester counties. As part of her recognition, Isla was honored at a special luncheon held in Annapolis, where she was celebrated alongside other regional finalists from across Maryland.
Isla’s classmates, Kamden White in Mrs. Purnell’s class and Carter Merryman in Mrs. Jankowski’s 4th-grade class, also earned semi-finalist positions in this year’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.
The MML "If I Were Mayor" essay contest has educated over 50,000 students about municipal government and the role of the mayor over many years. It encourages young students to learn more about local government and civic responsibility by envisioning themselves in the role of mayor.
Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.
Worcester Preparatory School
508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586
Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.
