Jack Bruggink Named New Children's Mayor of the Municipality of Aalten

Starting Monday, June 29, the municipality of Aalten will have a new children’s council and a new children’s mayor. During an exciting afternoon in the council chamber, the jury selected Jack Bruggink as the new children’s mayor of the municipality of Aalten. The children’s council is made up of all the candidates. During the coming school year, they will represent all the children in the municipality of Aalten.  

From left to right in Photo 1: Niek Wensink, Jurre Wisselink, Alderman van Lochem Bruggink, Ferre Tieltjes, Julian Houwers, Jasmijn Bruil, Evy Neerhof, and the mayor

Child Mayor Jack Bruggink is in the 8th grade at OBS de Slinger Elementary School. With his slogan, “More green, more fun—that’s what I’m focused on!” Jack Bruggink shared his ideas for his term as child mayor.

Pitch

All the candidates presented their mood boards and explained which topics they consider important. Issues such as traffic safety and the joy of play were highlighted. They also explained their slogans.

Surprise Assignment

After that, the candidates were given a surprise assignment—one they couldn’t prepare for, to see how they, as potential child mayors, would handle it. The children were given a note containing a question or task that they had to carry out or answer immediately.

Drumroll 

After the break, the judges tallied all the points, and amid a drumroll and applause, Henk Rijks announced the new children’s mayor. The judging panel consisted of Martin Hüning, Henk Rijks, and former children’s mayor Emma Rouwhorst. Jack Bruggink will wear the children’s mayor’s chain of office for the coming year.

Farewell to the Former Children's Council 

With this, the mayor and aldermen bid farewell to Child Mayor Emma Rouwhorst and the members of the Children’s Council from the 2025–2026 school year.