He was a bit nervous: taking the oath in front of the entire city council. But Jayvion Hasewinkel (11) made it through with flying colors on Thursday: he can now officially call himself Emmen’s first children’s mayor and colleague of Eric van Oosterhout.
“It’s quite an honour,” he says. “I’m also very proud of myself.” Pride is also in place. As many as thirty children applied for the junior mayoral post, three of which ultimately made it to the final round.
Jayvion first recorded a video of himself and was then allowed to come for an interview at the town hall. Half an hour later he already received a phone call with the news that he had been selected.
What made the difference, he thinks. “I believe my ideas.” Jayvion wants to work for more understanding for children with disabilities, among others. Denouncing racism is also high on his list.
The first mayor’s tasks are already on his agenda: a reading breakfast at a school in Emmermeer and taking a seat on the jury of a reading competition. His new job does mean that he is occasionally unable to go to school at regular hours. Does he mind? “No, not really. That should be possible every now and then.”
It is the intention that Jayvion will work together with the children’s councils and the children’s municipal council, which will be installed after the summer.