Menifee Student Named Honorary Mayor for a Day

Second grader Ian Castorena joins Menifee Mayor Scott Mann and council members Greg August (far left) and John Denver (far right) on the dais at City Hall. Ian was named Honorary Mayor for a Day.

A little boy with big dreams received a special holiday gift from the City of Menifee today when he was named Honorary Mayor for a Day.

Ian Castorena, a second grader at Mesa View Elementary School, was sworn in as Honorary Mayor by Menifee Mayor Scott Mann and then presided over a brief special city council meeting on the dais in City Hall. Ian rapped a special gavel presented to him and learned about agenda items on the council's next regular meeting from Mann and fellow council members Greg August and John Denver.

Mann first met Ian and his family at the Dec. 17 city council meeting, when winners of the city's Holiday House Decorating Contest were honored. At the time, Mann learned that Ian's main wish that day was to shake hands with the mayor -- which he did.

As it turned out, Ian -- who is recovering from some serious health issues -- got to do a lot more than that. Mann was so impressed with Ian that he invited him to serve as the City of Menifee's first Honorary Mayor for a Day.

Ian's parents, Louis and Kjerstin, and his younger sister Gianna attended the ceremonial meeting along with a few City of Menifee staff members who sat in to witness the touching scene.

"This is all he's talked about for days," said Kjerstin Castorena about Ian. "Every day he would ask, 'Is this the day I get to be mayor?' We're so grateful to the city for doing this for him."


Click on the image below to view a brief highlight video of Ian's special day at City Hall.