Author: Fred Atchison

Ten students from Southwest Middle School presented their Future Cities project on April 15. Students work on a year long class to design a city for a national competition in Washington D.C. Teacher, Danielle Baker, and engineering consultant, Chris Storm, provided guidance and resources through the year for the student team. They chose the city Rio de Janeiro and the problem of food insecurity for their project. The competition required an essay, a city narrative, construction of a model, a computer design and a live presentation to the judges. Considerable planning was required, as well as research, budgeting and construction. Their efforts earned an award for project management. Students enjoyed their time in Washington and enjoyed the work, sharing interests and making friends

Shannon Hodges is the Curator of Education and Community Events at Watkins Museum of History and her job is to make engaging with the museum a fun learning experience for youth. She is responsible for conducting field trips, tours and outreach. Most third graders in the community tour the museum and visits may be targeted to specific interests. This includes visits to historical sites like Grover Barn, the Miller Homestead and Oak Hill Cemetery. A course is offered on the operation of the museum and participants learn about working with primary and secondary sources. A classroom learning collaborative provides an opportunity for hands on learning with the construction of dioramas and other projects. Shannon also works with a student advisory group of 8th-12th graders.

Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Kelly spoke on behalf of the Kaupan Memorial Committee, a group working to raise funds to place a statue of Korean War Chaplain Emil Kaupan in the Kansas State House. Emil grew up in the small Czech farming community of Pilsen, Kansas. He experienced an early calling to the priesthood and served as a Chaplain in Burma and India at the end of World War II. He asked to serve in the Korean War an landed in Pusan with the Eighth Cavalry. He ministered to men under fire as his division fought their way north. He was captured in Unsan in November 1950. He saved a wounded sargent and carried him on his back sixty miles to a prison camp. Under terrible conditions the Chaplain provided comfort and inspiration to his fellow prisoners. Chaplin Kaupan died in the camp in May of 1951, leaving a legacy of courage and service. He is the most decorated Chaplain in the service and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2013.

Ashley Taylor is the Assistant Director of Tenants to Home Owners and has a background in real estate. Tenants to Home Owners is a non profit community land trust (CLT) dedicated to stewardship of land and affordability of housing on that land. A CLT retains ownership of acquired land, holding it in trust, and leasing parcels out to individual homeowners or other non profit entities. Low interest loans and grant programs help keep housing costs affordable. Home owners may resell their property and benefit from improvements but the CLT keeps the resale price affordable. Eligibility requirements are based on income, household size and other factors, including completion of a home buyer’s work shop. The CLT provides continuing advice and support for home owners and also maintains 141 affordable rental homes.

KDOT Field Engineering Administrator Michelle Anschutz and Emery Sapp and Sons Project Manager, Jase Hartenbower, provided a progress report on the South Lawrence Traffic Way (SLTW) construction. Work on the project began in 2024 to relieve traffic congestion and improve connections between the larger cities in Eastern Kansas. A nine mile stretch of highway K-10 is being widened into a four lane freeway, starting on the western end. The middle phase of the project is underway with the third phase starting early next year. That work will include dealing with major intersections and the construction of a pedestrian bridge. Having to move utilities has been a particular challenge. Meanwhile, traffic continues to move through the construction area.