Municipal politics may not typically excite elementary students, but for Olivia Goglidze of Ferndale Woods Elementary School, serving as Barrie’s student mayor for three weeks turned out to be an eye-opening and memorable experience.
The City of Barrie’s Student Mayor program runs from September to June, with students from two schools serving three-week terms. The initiative offers hands-on experience in leadership and civic engagement.
Olivia served as student mayor from April 9 to April 30, describing the experience as both rewarding and worthwhile.
“It was very enjoyable,” she said. “I didn’t expect to find the conversations so interesting. I will always remember what I did here.”
Eager to take on the opportunity, Olivia said she was surprised by just how engaging the role turned out to be.
“I liked the experience because it prepared me for what’s ahead and taught me a lot about what goes on in our city and what council does,” she said.
“When I first started, I didn’t understand much about government — I thought it was something adults did behind closed doors. After attending meetings, listening to people, and seeing how decisions are made, I realize how important these things are.”
One moment that stood out for Olivia was how the city responded to the recent ice storm that caused damage throughout Barrie.
“I saw how council responded quickly after the ice storm left broken trees all over the city,” she said. “Then they organized cleanup efforts and kept the public informed.”
She also found council discussions on various city issues surprisingly engaging.
“I listened to the discussions about water safety, new building developments, city finances, and changes to local bylaws,” she said.
“The issues seemed complicated at first, but I came to understand how much they impact us.”
Olivia attended her final city council meeting at Barrie City Hall on April 30. There, she thanked Mayor Alex Nuttall, members of council, city staff, and her family. She was presented with a Student Mayor certificate to commemorate her time in the role.
When asked if she would encourage other students to consider becoming a student mayor, Olivia smiled.
“Of course, I hope many more students get the chance to do something like this.”
