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The village of Franklin Park last week recognized elementary school students honored for their efforts in Mayor for a Day writing contest.

This year’s winner is Nevaeh Valenza, a fourth-grader at Pietrini School. The two runners-up are Tereza Lang, a third-grader at Passow Elementary, and Rosie Matzuka, a third-grader at Roy School.

Valenza, Lang and Matzuka were awarded a certificate of achievement from Village President Barrett Pedersen during last week’s village board meeting. Additionally, Valenza, will be able to spend the day at Village Hall later this month shadowing Pedersen and assisting him with a project in the community, such as planting a tree, officials said.

Tereza Lang was among the runners-up at a Mayor for a Day contest in Franklin Park. She is congratulated by Village President Barrett Pedersen. The first-place finisher, Nevaeh Valenza, was not able to attend the board meeting.
Tereza Lang was among the runners-up at a Mayor for a Day contest in Franklin Park. She is congratulated by Village President Barrett Pedersen. The first-place finisher, Nevaeh Valenza, was not able to attend the board meeting.

This project was initiated by the village of Franklin Park and later expanded as a partnership with the towns of Schiller Park and Northlake. It is open to students in third, fourth and fifth grades.

Alex V. Hernandez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.