CUMMING — Many children want to be doctors, firefighters or pro athletes when they grow up, but one state agency wants them to also consider public service careers.

The Georgia Municipal Association, an organization that represents 521 city governments statewide, is encouraging sixth-graders to write an essay on what they would do if elected mayor.

“It’s an opportunity for them to think about the role that cities play and what mayors do and what cities do,” said Amy Henderson of the association.

Essays should be limited to 350 words.

“The essay has to begin with the words ‘If I were mayor, I would,’” Henderson said. “They’re looking obviously for things that mayors can actually do. A lot of kids want the mayors to fix school lunches, but mayors can’t actually do that.

“We want them to be creative and be sincere, and kind of think about what kind of community they want to live in.”

The contest is open to all sixth-graders. Winners are then chosen from 12 GMA districts. Students in Forsyth will be competing against their counterparts from across northeast Georgia.

“Statewide we usually get about 6,000 essays each year,” Henderson said. “Home schooled, private schooled, it doesn’t matter as long as they are doing their sixth grade work.”

The 12 winners along with their teachers, parents and mayors will be invited to a luncheon in Atlanta in May, and receive cash prizes.