Dom Peters became Oregon’s first ‘kid governor’ on Monday and he has a powerful message for his peers.
The 11-year-old is using his newfound fame and platform to take on a topic that is close to his heart, bullying. Peters will use his soapbox to spread a powerful message about bullying and why it needs to stop.
"I really hope I can make a difference in Oregon to stop bullying. I've seen a lot of bullying and I've been bullied. Being bullied doesn't feel good," he said during his inauguration speech on Monday.
Peters, who is in fifth grade, beat out eight other finalists for this first-ever position. The title "kid governor" holds little authority or political power. His inauguration, however, was carried out with all the bells and whistles of a governors inauguration. It was his speech there that kicked off how he was hoping to stop bullying amongst his peers.
His new soapbox will also give Dom Peters the chance to talk about two of his own projects regarding bullying. The first is his “Super Kind Helpers' Club”, which helps kids to be aware and watchful of bullying. He started the program at his school but hopes that others in the state will follow.
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Peters is also writing a book about bullying that he hopes to give it to kids across the state. He did not give specifics about his book.
The "kid governor" initiative in Oregon is not just for Peters to have a platform to speak on his topic of choice but also to learn about how the government functions first-hand. Peters is also expected to help teach other fifth graders across the state about the lessons he learns. Secretary of State Dennis Richardson shared during the inauguration that the program is “participatory democracy in action.”
Dom Peters is Oregon’s first ever “kid governor” and he is taking his position seriously. His priority is spreading the word against bullying and hopes his new platform will help him achieve that goal. However, he also wants to remind people he has no authority because he is only a “kid.”