Decorah Middle School "Future City" teams do well at state competition

(Left to right): Yeniev team members David Olson, Noah Lovelace, Anja Madsen and Kaia Neal

Three teams of Decorah Middle School eighth graders recently competed in the State Future City Competition in Cedar Rapids. All three DMS Future City teams earned special honors, and one of the teams placed second overall.

"Team Yeniev" competed in the final round of competition, earning the 2nd place trophy out of 51 teams. Yeniev team members Noah Lovelace, Anja Madsen, Kaia Neal and David Olson also received an award for Best City Description for their 1,500-word written essay describing their futuristic city based on Istanbul.

"Team Reykjavik," comprised of Sofie Grouws, Leila Johnson, Emma Nierengarten, Tate Schissel and Cassie Wyatt, received the Most Innovative System Design award sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

"Nuwe Kaapstad" team members Kendra Bigler, Emma Brauer, Morgan Brauer, Lauren Myli and Cady Peterson received an award for the Best Community Design award sponsored by Rockwell Collins for the model that incorporates a variety of community activities that appeal to a broad range of ages and interests.

This year's competition required students to research and design effective public spaces for their futuristic cities.

Each Future City team worked with a local engineer mentor--Mike Murphy, Matt Schulz and Mike Vermace--who provided information and technical assistance

(Left to right): Reykjavik team members Tate Schissel, Cassie Wyatt, Emma Nierengarten, Sofie Grouws and Leila Johnson

(Left to right): Nuwe Kaapstad team members Lauren Myli, Emma Brauer, Kendra Bigler, Cady Peterson and Morgan Brauer