If Jalia Hardy were mayor of Richmond, she would focus on the city’s economy as well as youths and educational programs. She would listen to ideas and suggestions from citizens and create a nonprofit organization that would give care packages of food and toiletries to the homeless. She also would start an annual “Kindness Week,” a time when “people just give compliments and help each other, even if they don’t know the person they are helping,” she explains. These are just a few of the ideas Jalia submitted to the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. The annual contest challenges seventh-graders across the state to describe what they would do if they were mayor of their hometown. Judged on originality, persuasiveness, understanding of municipal services and proper use of composition and written expression, the essays are part of VML’s effort to teach students how local government works and how they can become involved in making their communities better. Jalia, a 13-year-old at Binford Middle School in Richmond, won the top prize. Not only was her essay chosen as the best in the region, her work also was chosen the best in the state out of more than 1,000 entries. “Her concern for her community came through in her essay with her focus on youth empowerment, education and care for the homeless,” one judge wrote, according to the VML. “I was also impressed with her expression to listen to others and her reference to helping ‘our city.’ ”
Jalia wrote, “Being mayor is a big responsibility that comes with many challenges and obstacles. It requires cooperation from all its citizens, including youth. Everyone can leave a mark on the world.” As the winner, Jalia received a plaque, a $250 prize and her photo on the cover of the March edition of VML’s Virginia Town & City magazine. “I was so excited and shocked” about winning, Jalia says. Her English teacher, Jonathan Walker, who urged her to enter the contest, called her into his classroom and asked her to get her family on the phone.

When she couldn’t reach her mom, Lisa Hardy, who works at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School, she called her grandmother, Dorothy Rice. Her grandmother’s first reaction? “Did she do something wrong? She’s never been called to the office,” Jalia recalls. “Mr. Walker said it was good news, and then told us that I had won. We were so, so excited and screaming.” Her family posted it on Facebook. Winning a contest and being a leader in school is not new to Jalia. Previously, she won first place and $100 in an essay contest on fire safety. And she participates in numerous extracurricular activities, including the Future Young Leaders program of the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. At Binford, she is a member of the school dance company and serves as house captain for Pride Rock, which she explains is like a student council but without the election process. She also has participated in the Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion program since fourth grade and currently is one of the Minds in Motion Ambassadors who perform at schools and throughout the community. “I think becoming a leader happened when I was really young,” Jalia says. “I don’t like copying people and everyone was doing the same thing. I have always gone in a different direction and people naturally follow me. I tend to be a trendsetter.” Her grandmother confirmed her observation. “Jalia is so independent, regardless of the project,” Mrs. Rice says. “She is very determined to do it her way.”
As any leader would, Jalia looked up information before writing her winning essay to make sure her facts were correct about what a mayor does. She says she didn’t want to write an essay and have people say, “That’s not what a mayor does.”

Her research included “what is an economy and what it does,” she says, along with “housing and different neighborhoods in Richmond” and needs of homeless people. Two days after learning she won the essay contest, she happened to see Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

“I saw him at Regency Mall. I was on the second floor with my sister and my friend and he was on the first floor,” she recalls. “I looked over the balcony and said hello. And he asked how we were.” While she didn’t have the opportunity to tell him how she would run the city, she says it’s important as a leader “to listen to other people’s ideas because I don’t want everyone to think that I am taking over. I ask other people questions because I know that I can be very aggressive sometimes. I like to ask questions so everyone will agree on one thing.”

Her message to young leaders like herself?

“Stay focused and know your goals. Don’t get distracted by little things that happen. If you are having a bad day, just try to keep your head up and be kind.”

Meet Virginia’s young leader in training and this week’s Personality, Jalia Lucille Hardy:

Latest honor: 2018 statewide winner of the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.

Grade level and school: Seventh grade at Binford Middle School.

Extracurricular activities: Minds in Motion Ambassadors, Binford Dance Company, Future Young Leaders program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Upsilon Omega Chapter, Binford Choir and choreographer for the Overby-Sheppard Honey Beez.

Family: Mother, Lisa Hardy; siblings, Antione Lynch Jr. and Tierra Rice (on my Mom’s side) and Janae Hardy, Jacori Hardy and Jachelle Hardy (on my Dad’s side).

Birthday: March 1.

Current residence: Richmond.

Reaction to winning the regional title: I was so happy and very excited that I won throughout the whole region. When Mr. Walker called me into his classroom, I knew he was going to tell me something important because it was at the end of the day. But I did not know it was going to be as important and exciting as this. I was so excited and shocked because out of all the kids across the whole state who entered, I won!

Family’s reaction: They were so proud of me. My Mom said, “What-tt-t … that’s my girl!” And they all posted it on Facebook and called everyone.

What this honor means to me: Getting this award shows me that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to. I am very proud of myself.

Why other students should participate: Other students should enter the contest because, even if you don’t win, it is a good opportunity. And since the writing prompt is not very specific, you can go crazy and write how you, the city and the world should be.

How I plan to use the award: I am going to put some of the money in my savings account, but I am also going to get things that I want like food, candy, clothes, shoes, etc.

View of current Richmond mayor: I feel like the current mayor is doing a very good job and takes his job very seriously.

View of current U.S. president: I feel like our current president has a lot of pent up anger and is not making very good decisions for our country.

What I want to be when I grow up: I want to work in TV production. I would like to be a director or have my own channel or show.

My interest in running for office: I think that I have very good ideas about ways to improve the community. I would like to become a General Assembly page next school year.

Role of education in my life: I’ve made straight A’s ever since kindergarten and I am trying to keep my streak going. So I do my best and ask a lot of questions.

Importance of going to school: School teaches you a lot — life lessons and actual in-class learning lessons. It prepares you for the real world.

How students should perceive school: As a safe, fun, learning environment.

What motivates me to study: My grades. If I want to keep them up, then it is important that I study for tests, quizzes, etc.

A good teacher is: A teacher who is supportive, listens and makes class interactive and fun.

Favorite subject: Math, because I can always prove whether or not I’m right or wrong.

Perfect day: Waking up from a very good sleep then eating some food, watching Netflix and YouTube and spending time with family and friends.

Best late-night snack: Chocolate ice cream pie.

Three words that best describe me: Outgoing, competitive, brave.

The person who influenced me the most: My mother, Lisa Hardy, and my grandmother, Dorothy Rice.

What I would like to change in the world: The way people see others. Perception basically affects everything.

What I would like to change in my community: I want the youths to have more impact in the community.

My outlook for the future: I’m planning on having many more accomplishments and doing great things.

Kindergarten taught me: To interact with new and different people and to be kind to people because it pays off.

The book that influenced me the most: “The Giver” by Lois Lowry.

What I’m reading now: “Lost in the Red Hills of Mars” by Jackie Hunter.

My next goal: I would like to start other activities like volleyball, track and cheering.