One of the joys I get out of serving as your state senator is to be able to connect with young students throughout southwest Michigan.

As families and students prepare for the new school year to begin, I am excited to announce a new essay contest for incoming third through eighth grade students. The chosen winner will get to join me at the Capitol in Lansing to serve as a junior senator for a day.

To participate, entrants should submit a one-page essay answering the following question, “If you were a state senator, what is the first thing you would do to improve Southwest Michigan?”

The contest is open to all third through eighth grade students residing in the 21st Senate District and ends on Sept. 13. Completed essays should be submitted by email to SenKLasata@senate.michigan.gov or by U.S. mail to Sen. Kim LaSata, P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909. Students should include their name, address, school, grade, and parents’ names and contact information.

Please email or call my office at (517) 373-6960 with any questions about the contest.

As a parent and former teacher, I appreciate the unique ideas that young people have, and I look forward to reading all the submissions and highlighting the notable academic talent from our part of the state.