Tuesday night was Mayor Jason Reeves’ favorite council meeting of the year. He and the city council welcomed students from area schools to the 13th annual Mayor for a Day.

“I told them this morning at breakfast this is one of the rare occasions when the room is overflowing and nobody’s mad,” he said.

More than 80 students entered the essay contest and the top seven got to spend the day as honorary mayor, city clerk and councilmen. Winners included Mayor Kaylee Ferraro, councilmen Caroline Bish, Cody Hollis and Jackson Thomas, all from Pike Liberal Arts School. Charles Henderson Middle School was represented by City Clerk Madison Shelton and councilmen Camille Cameron and Hayden Stephens.

Students toured the police department, the fire station, the library, the city’s public relations office and the Johnson Center for the Arts. They lunched with council members, participated in a live radio broadcast and drafted a resolution, which they presented at Tuesday’s meeting.

“My favorite thing today was being on the radio,” said Hollis.

“I enjoyed when we went to the art center because it was cool and it was creepy at the same time,” said Cameron.

Students viewed a section lit with blue lights for a dramatic effect, explained Cameron.

Victoria Outlaw, director of the Mayor for a Day program, said students especially enjoyed the library. They enjoyed talking with William White, library director, about new services and additions.

“He was so excited about everything,” said Stephens.

Several of the students said they would get a library card after the tour.

Reeves said he was impressed that so many enjoyed the library because learning should not end after they graduate.

“It’s a great point of pride for our entire community,” he said.

Mayor for the Day winners recommended creating a commission for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings.

They said restoring old buildings would show that Troy residents care about their city and attract people considering relocation.

Bish said the buildings could be repurposed for city use.

“We could start a welcome center or a museum,” she said.

Stephens noted the condition of one building located near a church downtown.

“I personally don’t like seeing that,” she said.

Councilman Dejerilyn Henderson said the resolution was right on target. She and the mayor had recently discussed it and she was interested in preserving older buildings.

“I think that it’s just so timely that you would come up with a resolution like that,” she said.

Reeves praised the students’ work and good behavior.

“This has been a good group and they’ve enjoyed themselves,” he said. “They’ve been really good to work with.”