New children's mayor Emma Rouwhorst
On Monday, June 30, Emma Rouwhorst from CBS Barlo was appointed as the new children's mayor of the municipality of Aalten. During an exciting afternoon in a packed council chamber, the jury selected Emma from five strong candidates as the new children's mayor. The other candidates will also play an important role, as they will represent all children in the municipality of Aalten in the children's council together with the children's mayor during the coming (school) year.
The brand new children's mayor Emma is 10 years old and is in group 7 of CBS Barlo. With her enthusiastic and involved performance, she managed to convince the judges.
Movie with pitch
New this year was that all participants had to make a video in advance to present themselves. After playing the videos, participants held a short pitch in which they told what topics they consider important. The theme of road safety was the focus of all participants. Sustainability and sports were also discussed. The jury consisted of council members Gerdy Hoornenborg, Tobias Holtman and former children's mayor Karlijn Roelofsen.
Interview with Sinterklaas
After the pitches, Karlijn said goodbye to her role as children's mayor. Then the participants were given a secret assignment: they had to interview, one by one, none other than Sinterklaas, who was present via a live connection from Spain. A big surprise, as the participants took turns from the "chill room" into the council chamber.
Drumroll
In the intermission moment, the judges added up all the points, and with drum roll and applause, council member Gerdy Hoornenborg announced that the children's badge will hang around Emma's neck for the next year.
Filling out children's council
Tijn Waalder, Sep van der Lecq, Levi van Rixtel, and Faas Woordes, together with the newly appointed children's mayor Emma, form this year's children's council. Under the guidance of youth workers Jolien Stronks and Michel Stronks from Figulus Welzijn, the children's council contributes ideas on topics such as sports, culture, nature, and social skills (such as reducing bullying) for all children in primary schools in the municipality of Aalten.