‘Future City’ state finalists present to MUSD board

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Desert Winds Middle School students and state 'Future Cities' third place finalist Team Jakarta make their presentation to the MUSD Governing Board Feb. 22. Photo by Michelle Chance.

By Michelle Chance

Middle school students participating in the regional Future City Competition presented their projects to the MUSD School Board Feb. 22.

Team Sura from Maricopa Wells Middle School placed second in the Jan. 28 state competition, and Team Jakarta from Desert Wind Middle School took third place. In all, sixteen teams representing MUSD competed.

Joseph Szoltysik, a teacher for the MWMS teams, said the students’ accomplishments are remarkable.

“The amount of effort these kids put in almost brings me to tears all the time,” he said during the board meeting.

Alyson Bowen, Emma Schrader and Zeah Zimpleman presented for Team Sura. Isabella Ebner, Kian Pack and Jaden Pyle represented Team Jakarta.

Students from all 16 Maricopa teams received a certificate for competing in the state competition.

Szoltysik said the team who beat Team Sura at regionals finished second at the national competition on Feb. 21.

“That makes us feel pretty good,” Szoltysik said. “Hopefully next year the national winner will have the name ‘Maricopa’ or ‘Desert’ in front of it.”

 

Maricopa's 'Future Cities' competition state finalists stand with sponsors and MUSD board members at the Feb. 22 board meeting. Photo by Michelle Chance
Maricopa’s ‘Future Cities’ competition state finalists stand with sponsors and MUSD board members at the Feb. 22 board meeting. Photo by Michelle Chance