The students presented their future cities to former Walmart CEO Rob Walton and his wife Melani. Submitted photo

In January of this year, Desert Wind Middle School’s Future City Teams, Gronn Vekkelse and Novos Comecos, won two of the five Walton Sustainable Community Awards at the Arizona Regional Future City Competition. With this award came the opportunity to showcase their cities at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Feb. 23, the two teams presented their projects as part of the Sustainability Solutions Festival that is happening statewide throughout the month of February. This festival is sponsored by the Arizona State University’s Walton College of Sustainability.

The students presented to Rob and Melani Walton, the former CEO of Walmart, as well as CEOs and university professors from around the world.

“They were impressed by our students’ knowledge of sustainability, engineering and project management,” said Jennifer Szoltysik, Desert Wind 20+1 Blended-Learning instructor. “Each student was also called up on stage and given a framed certificate. Mrs. [Shannon] Hull and I are extremely proud of these students for representing blended learning and Desert Wind Middle School so well.”

Team members include:
Team Gronn Vekkelse – Alysa Huffman, Henry McCloskey, Parker Hunsaker, Project Manager – Matt Whitley, Alternate – Kian Pack
Team Novos Comecos – Savannah Shelabarger, Jordan Levy, Rhiannon Reed, Project Manager – Jaden Pyle, Alternate – Landen Thomas

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