Victoria Mills of Beachland Elementary Takes on Vero Beach as Mayor for a Day

When Beachland Elementary decided to auction off a “Mayor for a Day” experience in their silent auction, they weren’t just thinking outside the box—they were building community spirit and supporting their school in a truly memorable way.

Victoria Mills, winner of the auction, traded her schoolbooks for a whirlwind, hands-on crash course in running the city. The day started at City Hall, where Mayor John Cotugno and Vice Mayor Linda Moore rolled out the red carpet—and even gave Victoria her very own name plate, swapping out the mayor’s for hers as she took the helm on the dais.

Mom Elisa Mills joined her on the adventure as they toured the Police and Fire Departments, Public Works, Utilities, Recreation, Planning & Development, Finance, Human Resources, and Customer Service. At every stop, city staff made sure she got the inside scoop and maybe a few trade secrets too.

By the end of the day, Victoria had a true appreciation for the teamwork and problem-solving that keep Vero Beach running strong. Experiences like this show just how much happens when kids’ curiosity meets real-world city life.

If more students had the chance to trade their desks for a seat at the dais or tour as part of a class trip, we might just see a new generation of young leaders rise up.

And who knows? Maybe Victoria Mills will be a future mayor who fondly remembers her journey all began with one unforgettable “Mayor for a Day” experience.