Last month four of our very own Flinn Middle School 8th graders competed and won first place in the Illinois Future Problem Solving State Bowl. The team of four – Jayla Yardly, Emmanuel Salazar-Mendoza, Julien Gonzalez and Bryce Dunaway – joined competitors grades 4-12 from around the state to think critically about how to improve our world. They wrote and presented an action plan based on a specific topic.
This year's state topic was “Throw Away Society.” Students learned about the unfortunate mass amount of waste produced every year and the consequences if we continue to live as we do. The oral presentation of their action plan was recognized conference-wide, because Flinn also took home the Rookie Award! It is unusual for a rookie team to take first place, and our students were incredibly happy and proud. Elizabeth Krampota and I are honored to be their coaches.
Jayla, Emmanuel, Julien, and Bryce will go to Auburn, East, and Jefferson high schools, and I hope they can continue to compete and represent RPS 205 next year. Flinn is looking forward to many more wins in the upcoming years.
Aubrey Barnett
Aubrey Barnett is an 8th grade English language arts teacher at Flinn Middle School who loves engaging her students in hands on learning, critical thinking, and creativity.