Kids & Family

Rolling Hills Sixth Grader Picked Mayor for a Day

Aaliyah Perillo's essay was chosen over 70 others submitted by students from sixth grade to high school seniors.

Her essay wasn't particularly long, but Mayor Evan Low, said Aaliyah Perillo's essay about what she would do if she were mayor had the kind of specific proposals he liked.

She would have a day where Campbell residents would meet each other and cook foods from their native lands to share; she would have a program where teens and elderly people worked together; and she would help feed elderly people.

That was the first thing she did in a day that was a total surprise. Perillo was picked up at 11:15 Monday from her computer class, where the mayor pinned a tag on her announcing her as the junior mayor for the day. 

"I thought I had a 50-50 chance," she said of the essay that took three days to write and polish. The 11-year-old carried herself with class as she learned mayoral duties and carried them out.

"Always remember people's names," Low instructed her. "Smile and introduce yourself and shake their hands."

She was a quick learner, as the videos show. 

Perillo had run for office before. She was on student council last year, but had to give it up because her work in theater class took up the time. Like all politicians, she looked down the road. 

When Low asked if she would like to be a female mayor, she said she would rather be the first female president. 

She's got a great role model to follow. Low was first appointed mayor in 2010 at the age of 26. He's now running for state assemblyman.




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