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14-year-old student wins San Diego's 'Mayor for a Day' contest

'Mayor for a Day' winner Uma Onwuchekwa met Mayor Gloria, police chief and city council.

SAN DIEGO — What would it feel like to be in charge of America's seventh-largest city for a day? 

In this Zevely Zone, I tagged along with the winner of San Diego's Mayor for a Day Contest.

City Hall is a huge building and waiting inside was an even bigger job for a 14-year-old boy. After passing through security, the Mayor for a Day winner, Uma Onwuchekwa, headed up to the 11th floor. 

"I am feeling really good this morning and feeling happy to have this moment to get to meet the Mayor," said Uma who was about to meet not just the Mayor but his entire staff.

Credit: 'Mayor for a Day'

"Welcome Mr. Mayor," said Mayor Todd Gloria as Uma walked into the staff meeting. 

San Diego's top officials were relieved to hear that Mayor Uma wouldn't be downsizing on his first day. 

"All of those jobs sound very important and very necessary to keep this city running," said Uma to laughter. 

Mayor Uma's schedule for the day was booked. We followed him and Mayor Gloria to a groundbreaking at Brown Field in front of the media. 

Credit: 'Mayor for a Day'

When Mayor Gloria was in elementary school,  he entered the Mayor of the Day contest as a ten-year-old. "

Fun fact, I was the third runner-up in that contest in 1989. This has been a very long apprenticeship to get this job," said Mayor Gloria. 

The mayor revived the tradition in 2022 and says Uma's ideas to help the city stood out from the pack. "I was just struck by his understanding of our housing and homelessness crisis," said Mayor Gloria. 

Uma then told us about some of his ideas, "Well some of my solutions were to try to include more quadplexes and duplexes when it comes to actual housing."

Credit: 'Mayor for a Day'

Mayor Gloria says he loves his job and wants to inspire the next generation to consider public service which led them next to the police department. 

"Mr. Mayor how are you?" said newly-appointed San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.  

It was Chief Wahl's first full day on the job and Mayor Uma drilled him about issues like homelessness and the importance of connecting with youth. "What would you say right now are your biggest problems when it comes to crime?" asked Uma. Chief Wahl responded, "You know San Diego is a very safe city." 

Credit: 'Mayor for a Day'

The police chief appreciated the tough questions. 

"I want to go get him an application is what I want to do. That is outstanding never give up. Keep that passion," said Chief Wall. After a ride along with officers, Uma visited the fire department with advice from the Mayor still burning in his mind. 

"Stay who you are. Authenticity is what people want to see in their leaders. They won't agree with you all of the time but they want to know that you are bringing the right heart to the issue," said Mayor Gloria. 

Mayor Uma spoke with heart in front of the City Council and then reflected on what he learned. "You need to be cooperative, but you also need to be stern and you have to have a good moral compass to be able to say this is the right thing for the city," said Uma. He told me the key to America's Finest City is keeping an open mind, teamwork and lots of handshakes.

I asked him when he would he want the job full-time. "I'd say a year after I could apply. A year after I could apply I'll take it," said Uma who is entering his freshman year at Kearny High. Uma believes increased housing density with more multi-unit properties would help ease the homeless and housing crisis.

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