By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Teenagers took over City Hall today: it’s “PAL Day,” during which local high school students get to shadow city officials, from the mayor on down.

Twenty-five teens from across the city teamed up with top officials — including the mayor and district attorney — for the annual PAL Day.

Seventeen-year-old Rasheeda Brumskill (at lectern in photo), a senior at the Philadelphia Military Academy, was serving as “mayor for the day.”  She has been in the Police Athletic League since she was five.

“My PAL officers told me never give up and be the best that I can be, even when I’m dealing with tough obstacles,” she said today.  “They provided me with a place to call home, and showered me with love and care.”

Mayor Nutter joked that Rasheeda and Mustafa Taylor, “chief of staff for the day,” would get to make some real decisions.

“I’m looking forward to the two of you making those decisions, signing a variety of documents, and we’ll let the general public know how things work out,” the mayor said.

More information on the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia is at phillypal.com.