Cambridge commissioners paused their regular meeting on Monday to recognize Cristian Cruz Martinez, a local student honored as a winner of the Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor, I Would” essay contest.
Cristian opened the meeting by gaveling it to order from the mayor’s chair under the guidance of Mayor Lajan Cephas-Bey, then later read his essay, which focused on health, safety, and education as the foundation for a strong community.
In his essay, Cristian wrote that as mayor, he would focus on making laws and creating spaces that promote safety, education, and well-being, with the goal of building a community where people want to live.
“Cristian Cruz Martinez reminded me of what leadership is supposed to look like,” Cephas-Bey said during closing remarks, reflecting on the student’s message.
The mayor said sitting beside Cristian during the meeting was a reminder of the city’s future, adding that his words carried a clarity that often gets lost in policy discussions.
Reading from the essay, Cephas-Bey highlighted a line about making the community safer and more peaceful, calling it direct, honest, and reflective of what residents expect from their leaders.
Cristian received a mayor’s citation recognizing his creativity, leadership, and commitment to making Cambridge a better place, with the citation noting his imagination and kindness toward the community.
The recognition drew a moment of applause from commissioners and attendees, offering a brief pause from the policy discussions that dominated the rest of the meeting.
